Since this process of exchanging ideas between two or more communicators may include any number of computer facilitated technologies (instant messaging, online audio and video conferencing, etc.), computer-mediated communications can take place either asynchronously or synchronously.
Published in Chapter:
“In the Office”: Communication in Virtual Environments
Julie Radachy (Smarthinking, Inc., USA) and Christa Ehmann Powers (Smarthinking, Inc., USA)
Copyright: © 2012
|Pages: 16
DOI: 10.4018/978-1-60960-762-3.ch019
Abstract
Using Smarthinking, Inc. as a case study, effective instant messaging is explored as a viable communication option for organizations, specifically virtual organizations, to decrease the feelings of isolation that telecommuters experience. Instant messaging is used to create a virtual team, thereby allowing its members to develop feelings of camaraderie and maintain and/or increase productivity while creating a virtual-organizational culture. In addition, the advantages and disadvantages of instant messaging are addressed from the perspective of the employees and the organization. Finally, the logistics of incorporating instant messaging into a virtual organization, from developing instant messaging guidelines and policies to encouraging effective synchronous communications, are examined.