Evolving Information Ecologies: The Appropriation of New Media in Organizations

Abstract

This chapter examines how people in organizations appropriate new computer-based media, that is, how they adopt, recon?gure, and integrate advanced communication technologies such as groupware or desktop conferencing systems into their work practice. The chapter presents and analyzes ?ndings from an in-depth ?eld study of the adoption and use of a Web-based groupware application—a “virtual workspace”—in a large multinational ?rm. The analysis focuses, in particular, on the fact that people in modern organizations have plenty of media at their disposal and often combine old and new media to accomplish their work tasks. Furthermore, it highlights the crucial role of organizational communication genres in shaping how people adopt and use new media. The authors argue that understanding and facilitating the process of appropriation is the key to the successful introduction of new media in organizations.