COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY'S IMPLICATIONS



The Evolution of Communication Technology and Its Current and Future Implications on an Organization's Communication System

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Abstract

Communication is a fundamental process in today's evolving business scenario and the basis of nearly all activities undertaken in an organization. Studies indicate that seventy-five percent of a manager's time is spent in communication which clearly reflects the importance of organizational communication. Knowledge management, or the way organizations process, share and use information, will continue to become an increasingly vital facet of organizational life. With the increasing importance of a manager's ability to organize information and knowledge, it is crucial to understand how managers within an organization communicate both explicit and tacit knowledge, and the implications of integration of evolving communication technologies in the organizational communication system.

The Evolution of Communication Technology and Its Current and Future Implications on an Organization's Communication System

Thesis Statement

The main purpose of this paper is to study the process of knowledge management and communication in order to determine the part of information technology in organizational communication.

Introduction

An organization cannot survive without effective communication. The importance of communication is such that Dubrin (1997) described it as the glue that holds the organization together. Communication is commonly referred to as the binding factor for all members and activities within an organization (Chruden and Sherman, 1976). According to Torrington and Hall (1987) a lot of time is spent on communication, but much of it is ineffective and inefficient. Every aspect of management requires effective communication, or in other words, communication is an integral part of all managerial functions (Dubrin, 1997). Barnard (1982) explained the need for communication to occupy a central place in organization theory “because the structure, extensiveness and scope of the organization is almost entirely determined by communication techniques”. In essence, the basic means of exchange of information regarding the operations by use of words in an organizational level can be defined as communication. Errors and problems in inter-organizational communication can incur excessive costs to the organization and, therefore, an organization cannot afford to have faulty, ineffective or slow communication channels. Here, is where technology comes in to play its part. The advent of technology in the 21st century has enabled organizations to ensure an efficient, quick and error-free system of communication for both its internal customers i.e. its employees and its external customers i.e. its suppliers, retailers and end customers. Heavy costs incurred under the head of communications in the past have been greatly reduced with integration of modern technology with the organizational functions and the communication infrastructure within the organization. Information and communication technologies (ICT) not only provide access to cheap storage and processing of data but also enable employees to use inexpensive wired and wireless communications (e.g. mobile devices and email). Cheaper modes of communication available to the labor force of present times have not only increased their efficiency, in addition it has also had, an empowering effect on them by means of less reliance on others and an ...