Structural dimensions of conferencing

In describing and comparing different kinds of conferences, these four structural dimensions are considered to be basic: (a) The "size" expressed in terms of numbers of participants, duration and investment.<(b) The "territoriality"; the field of concern, the geography, the dicipline, the constituency.

(c) The degree of "formality"; in style, structure and process organization.

(d) The degree of "complexity". Differentiation between meetings of a group with a relatively simple, concrete purpose and meetings made up of many groups with relatively abstract aims, which are themselves compounded from the aims of several sub-groups.