The introduction of social media has changed the way individuals communicate and collaborate both within and outside the organization. While social media has the potential to change how organizations interact internally, minimal research has examined the impact this media may have within a virtual team environment. This dissertation examines a specific social media, Social Networking Sites, and how the information available through this technology impacts the impression formation process at the initial formation of a virtual team. Specifically, the focus is how information available within an intra-organizational social networking site (IOSNS) impacts perceptions of social capital (i.e. relational, structural, and cognitive) among fellow virtual team members. Using Elaboration Likelihood Model (ELM), information source (i.e. self-generated vs. connection-generated information) and Toulmin's model of argumentation, the goal of my research is to understand how and what kinds of information impact impressions in zero history, virtual teams. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]