A3 Book section, Chapters in research books
Digital communication environments in the workplace (2020)

Sivunen, A., & Laitinen, K. (2020). Digital communication environments in the workplace. In L. Mikkola, & M. Valo (Eds.), Workplace Communication (pp. 41-53). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780429196881-4

JYU authors or editors

Publication details

All authors or editors: Sivunen, Anu; Laitinen, Kaisa

Parent publication: Workplace Communication

Parent publication editors: Mikkola, Leena; Valo, Maarit

ISBN: 978-0-367-18570-1

eISBN: 978-0-429-19688-1

Publication year: 2020

Pages range: 41-53

Number of pages in the book: 213

Publisher: Routledge

Place of Publication: New York

Publication country: United States

Publication language: English

DOI: https://doi.org/10.4324/9780429196881-4

Publication open access: Not open

Publication channel open access: 

Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/67501

Abstract

Digital communication environments consist of various kinds of communication technologies and collaboration platforms. These enable employees to communicate through text, audio, video, and graphics, often in an open and networked way. Complementing the popular stand-alone communication tools regularly used in workplaces, such as email and instant messaging, digital communication environments enable the sharing, editing, and storing of information publicly within the organization and sometimes externally among its stakeholders. This chapter reviews and analyzes digital communication environments as well as their affordances and constraints for communication and social interaction in the workplace. The chapter considers the issues that need to be discussed and taken into account when digital communication environments are implemented and used in organizations. These environments provide a variety of affordances for task-related communication and effective team performance, and they can support relational communication, foster the creation of new social ties, and strengthen the existing relationships in the workplace. However, questions concerning privacy, surveillance, lack of motivation for use, and reluctance to share information in these environments should also be considered.

Keywords: communication; digitalisation; communications technology; mobile devices; social media

Contributing organizations

Ministry reporting: Yes

Reporting Year: 2020

JUFO rating: 3