A1 Journal article (refereed)
Organizational Information and Communication Technologies and Their Influence on Communication Visibility and Perceived Proximity (2023)

van Zoonen, W., Sivunen, A., Rice, R. E., & Treem, J. W. (2023). Organizational Information and Communication Technologies and Their Influence on Communication Visibility and Perceived Proximity. International Journal of Business Communication, 60(4), 1267-1289. https://doi.org/10.1177/23294884211050068

JYU authors or editors

Publication details

All authors or editors: van Zoonen, Ward; Sivunen, Anu; Rice, Ronald E.; Treem, Jeffrey W.

Journal or series: International Journal of Business Communication

ISSN: 2329-4884

eISSN: 2329-4892

Publication year: 2023

Publication date: 06/10/2021

Volume: 60

Issue number: 4

Pages range: 1267-1289

Publisher: SAGE Publications

Publication country: United States

Publication language: English

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/23294884211050068

Publication open access: Openly available

Publication channel open access: Partially open access channel

Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/78296

Abstract

This study investigates the relationships between the use of various organizational ICTs, communication visibility, and perceived proximity to distant colleagues. In addition, this study examines the interplay between visibility and proximity, to determine whether visibility improves proximity, or vice versa. These relationships are tested in a global company using two waves of panel survey data. ESM use increases communication visibility and perceived proximity, while controlling for prior levels of visibility, proximity, and the use of other organizational ICTs. The influence of ESM on network translucence and perceived proximity is generally stronger than the impact of other technologies on these outcomes. These results highlight the importance of considering various aspects of the technological landscape conjointly, as well as distinguishing the two dimensions of communication visibility. Finally, the results indicate that perceived proximity has causal priority over communication visibility, indicating that communication visibility exists partly as an attribution of perceived proximity to distant colleagues, and is not solely inferred from the use of organizational ICTs.

Keywords: organisational communication and public relations; internal communication; visibility; information and communications technology; social media; remote meetings

Free keywords: communication visibility; enterprise social media; file sharing; perceived proximity; teleconferencing

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Ministry reporting: Yes

Reporting Year: 2022

JUFO rating: 1