A1 Journal article (refereed)
Enablers of and constraints on employees' information sharing on enterprise social media (2021)


Laitinen, K., & Sivunen, A. (2021). Enablers of and constraints on employees' information sharing on enterprise social media. Information Technology and People, 34(2), 642-665. https://doi.org/10.1108/itp-04-2019-0186


JYU authors or editors


Publication details

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

Journal or series: Information Technology and People

ISSN: 0959-3845

eISSN: 1758-5813

Publication year: 2021

Volume: 34

Issue number: 2

Pages range: 642-665

Publisher: Emerald

Publication country: United Kingdom

Publication language: English

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/itp-04-2019-0186

Publication open access: Openly available

Publication channel open access: Partially open access channel

Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/68786


Abstract

Purpose – The purpose of this study is to investigate the various enablers of and constraints on employees’
information sharing on an enterprise social media platform. It draws on two theoretical perspectives,
communication privacy management theory and the technology affordance framework, as well as on empirical
data in an attempt to paint a comprehensive picture of the factors shaping employees’ decisions to share or not
share information on enterprise social media.
Design/methodology/approach – This qualitative field study is based on semi-structured interviews and
enterprise social media review data from a large Nordic media organization.
Findings – On an enterprise social media platform, privacy management principles shape employees’
information-sharing decisions in relation to personal privacy boundaries, professional boundaries and
assumed risks, online safety concerns and perceived audience. Additionally, the technological affordances of
visibility, awareness, persistence and searchability shape employees’ information sharing in varying and
sometimes even contradictory ways. Finally, organizational factors, such as norms, tasks and media
repertoires, are associated with employees’ information-sharing decisions. Together, these three dimensions,
personal, technological and organizational, form a model of the enablers of and constraints on employees’
decisions to share information on enterprise social media.
Originality/value – This study extends the understanding of different factors shaping employees’ decisions
to share or not share information on enterprise social media. It extends the two applied theories by uniquely
combining interpersonal privacy management principles with a technological affordance framework that
focuses on the relationship between the user and the technology. This research also furthers the authors’
knowledge of what privacy management principles mean in the organizational context. This study shows
connections between the two theories and extends the understanding of technology affordances as not only
action possibilities but also constraining factors. Additionally, by revealing what kinds of factors encourage
and inhibit information sharing on enterprise social media, the results of this study support organizations in
their efforts to manage information sharing on enterprise social media systems.


Keywords: organisational communication and public relations; external communication; internal communication; social media; flow of information; information management; communication culture; communicative skills; privacy; communication; leadership (activity)

Free keywords: knowledge workers; privacy; qualitative method; social media; information sharing; affordances; interview; intranets


Contributing organizations


Related projects


Ministry reporting: Yes

Reporting Year: 2021

JUFO rating: 2


Last updated on 2023-03-10 at 12:52