A Networked Work-life: A Study of Employee Use of Intranet Media and Organizational Communication
Open Access
- Author:
- Walden, Justin Andrew
- Graduate Program:
- Mass Communications
- Degree:
- Doctor of Philosophy
- Document Type:
- Dissertation
- Date of Defense:
- May 23, 2013
- Committee Members:
- Denise Sevick Bortree, Dissertation Advisor/Co-Advisor
Anne M Hoag, Committee Chair/Co-Chair
S. Shyam Sundar, Committee Member
Dennis Stephen Gouran, Special Member - Keywords:
- Interactive technology
social media
intranets
organizational communication
public relations - Abstract:
- This dissertation explored the social influences on employees’ use of technology in two contexts, work and home. Framed by structuration theory and relationship management theory, this mixed methods study also investigated the influence of organizational context and technology on internal communication and the use of a particular communications channel, the corporate intranet. This was a case study of one company, “MaxPort”, and considered how this company’s employees utilize technology. Findings from 26 in-depth interviews, a survey with 72 participants, and observational data suggest that there are dual patterns of legitimization and de-legitimization with respect to appropriate task-oriented technology use and personal social media in the workplace. Certain behaviors are socially sanctioned and supported (internal blogging for task-completion and the use of the corporate intranet for meaning sharing among employees) while other behaviors (including spending too much time on personal social media) are questioned. Quantitative survey also data reveal a weak to non-existent link between technology use and employees’ relationships with their company. Findings of this study suggest that despite the potential for enhanced organizational communication via interactive technology, companies face challenges in information systems/ intranet management and in adjusting to the introduction of social technologies into the workplace. Effective management and the right corporate philosophy to technology can overcome these challenges.