Communication Technology in the Organization Chapter 13

Pervasiveness of Technology Single greatest challenge Information Age Global Society Communication technology has invaded all aspects of organizational life. Single greatest challenge Information Age Global Society Communication technology has invaded all aspects of organizational life.

Overview Technology influence Types of technology Advantages and disadvantages How communication technology is used and who is using it How technology changes organizational relationships Technology influence Types of technology Advantages and disadvantages How communication technology is used and who is using it How technology changes organizational relationships

Communication Technology TOOLS Discuss issues Exchange information Make decisions Types (see Table 13.1, p. 228) –Voice mail – –Teleconferences and Compressed video –GDSS (computer assisted decision making –Virtual reality Advantages and Disadvantages TOOLS Discuss issues Exchange information Make decisions Types (see Table 13.1, p. 228) –Voice mail – –Teleconferences and Compressed video –GDSS (computer assisted decision making –Virtual reality Advantages and Disadvantages

Selection Criteria Social Presence –Degree of sociability present in the use of the media Media Richness –Media vary in speed of feedback (interactivity), degree of formality and structure in language, variety of language used, tone of voice, and facial expressions (e.g. social cues) Accessibility Usage Position in the Hierarchy Contingency Theory (degree of equivocality, need for feedback, personalness of the source as predictors) Social Presence –Degree of sociability present in the use of the media Media Richness –Media vary in speed of feedback (interactivity), degree of formality and structure in language, variety of language used, tone of voice, and facial expressions (e.g. social cues) Accessibility Usage Position in the Hierarchy Contingency Theory (degree of equivocality, need for feedback, personalness of the source as predictors)

CIT Model (Finn & Lane, 1998) 1. Temporality The degree of non-simultaneity; Timed vs. untimed communication 2. Space Distance; Physical environment & user interface 3. Capacity Type and volume of content Flexibility of handling content Fidelity of content 4. Interactivity In its simplest form, interactivity is the rate of exchange of content. : 5. Control Content creation, presentation, and preservation 1. Temporality The degree of non-simultaneity; Timed vs. untimed communication 2. Space Distance; Physical environment & user interface 3. Capacity Type and volume of content Flexibility of handling content Fidelity of content 4. Interactivity In its simplest form, interactivity is the rate of exchange of content. : 5. Control Content creation, presentation, and preservation

Technophobia & Interpersonal Impact Fear prevents quick adoption Provides a voice to those who normally would not speak up in groups Sharing tasks, work-related problems, or life events become more important than physical proximity Relationships affect others use of technology Eliminates stereotypical classifications Supports open discussions Fear prevents quick adoption Provides a voice to those who normally would not speak up in groups Sharing tasks, work-related problems, or life events become more important than physical proximity Relationships affect others use of technology Eliminates stereotypical classifications Supports open discussions

Technological Impact Speeds the sending of information Improves organizational communication Increases participation in organizational processes Can be misused by employees (personal agenda) Poor substitute for face-to-face (ftf) communication Mediates messages Influences the way people interact in organizations Structures organizational life Speeds the sending of information Improves organizational communication Increases participation in organizational processes Can be misused by employees (personal agenda) Poor substitute for face-to-face (ftf) communication Mediates messages Influences the way people interact in organizations Structures organizational life

Summary Technology influence Types of technology Advantages and disadvantages How communication technology is used and who is using it How technology changes organizational relationships Technology influence Types of technology Advantages and disadvantages How communication technology is used and who is using it How technology changes organizational relationships