Technology and Communication

Discussion

Technology and Communication

In a 250-300 word response, analyze how the use of technology has impacted organizational communication both positively and negatively. How has technology impacted the verbal and nonverbal cues used in interpreting messages?

Technology has positive internal and external effects on organizational communication. Internally, technology allows employees and management to more easily interface through various medians; email, instant messaging, video conferencing and video chats. Technology has diminished geographic lines and time barriers that in the past slowed business communication. Technology allows the dissemination of information to move quickly, which helps decisions making. Communication and the access to information have become more simplified. Employees can access company information, training, review past organizational communications more readily with the advent of technology.

Externally, organizational communication impacts the relationship with customers. The approval or disapproval of customers with a company’s product or brand can be easily communicated through websites, blogs, customer reviews, etc. Consumers feel more empowered with technology at their fingertips to communicate their complaints about a company’s business practices, environmental standards etc.

Organizational communication has negative effects through technology because there is so much information available and it disseminates rapidly. Organizations are bombarded with information and various technology medians can make communication confusing. I often find email, voicemail, text messaging and receiving phone calls take a great deal of my time in the work day. I constantly battle keeping my email (reading and response time) to a minimum so that I can move through daily task efficiently and effectively. Another negative of technology on communication is face to face interaction has decreased. Personal static channels, such as...