A1 Journal article (refereed)
Benefits and drawbacks of communication visibility : from vicarious learning and supplemental work to knowledge reuse and overload (2022)

van Zoonen, W., Sivunen, A., & Rice, R. E. (2022). Benefits and drawbacks of communication visibility : from vicarious learning and supplemental work to knowledge reuse and overload. Journal of Knowledge Management, 26(11), 214-233. https://doi.org/10.1108/JKM-12-2021-0924

JYU authors or editors

van Zoonen, Ward
Sivunen, Anu

Publication details

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

Journal or series: Journal of Knowledge Management

ISSN: 1367-3270

eISSN: 1758-7484

Publication year: 2022

Publication date: 26/05/2022

Volume: 26

Issue number: 11

Pages range: 214-233

Publisher: Emerald

Publication country: United Kingdom

Publication language: English

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/JKM-12-2021-0924

Publication open access: Openly available

Publication channel open access: Partially open access channel

Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/82015

Abstract

Purpose
This study aims to examine some of the benefits and drawbacks of communication visibility. Specifically, building on communication visibility theory, the authors study how and why message transparency and network translucence may increase knowledge reuse and perceived overload through behavioral responses of vicarious learning and technology-assisted supplemental work.

Design/methodology/approach
Drawing on survey data obtained from 1,127 employees of a global company operating in the industrial machinery sector, the authors used structural equation modeling to test the hypothesized model.

Findings
The results demonstrate that the two aspects of communication visibility yield somewhat differential benefits and drawbacks in terms of knowledge reuse and communication overload, through vicarious learning and supplemental work practices.

Research limitations/implications
The results demonstrate the relationship between different aspects of communication visibility and knowledge reuse, specifically through vicarious learning. Furthermore, the findings highlight a potential drawback of visibility – communication overload – specifically through technology-assisted supplemental work. Overall, network translucence seems more beneficial compared to message transparency in terms of knowledge reuse and communication overload.

Originality/value
The study connects with recent work on communication visibility by distinguishing differential direct and indirect effects of message transparency and network translucence. It also extends this work by testing relationships between communication visibility and a potential drawback of visibility – communication overload – specifically through technology-assisted supplemental work.

Keywords: organisational communication and public relations; corporate communications; internal communication; visibility; information (communication); flow of information; transparency; social media; overloading; learning

Free keywords: communication overload; knowledge reuse; message transparency; network translucence; technology-assisted supplemental work; vicarious learning; knowledge sharing; learning; overload; communication visibility; supplemental work

Fields of science: