Organizational communication satisfaction in the virtual workplace
- 1 June 2005
- journal article
- Published by Emerald in Journal of Management Development
- Vol. 24 (5), 397-409
- https://doi.org/10.1108/02621710510598427
Abstract
Purpose – This study aims to compare levels of communication satisfaction between virtual workplace and traditional workplace employees in a single firm and explore the potential causes of the differences. Design/methodology/approach – Two groups, virtual office and traditional office workers, from a single firm were surveyed using Down and Hazen's Communication Satisfaction Questionnaire. Based on previous research, this study developed and tested hypotheses that traditional workers would have higher levels of satisfaction in personal feedback, communication climate, relationship with supervisors, horizontal and informal communication, organizational integration and overall communication satisfaction. Further analysis of the sample groups and of the company's process of implementation helped explain the differences found. Findings – Contrary to the hypotheses, this study found that virtual office workers were more satisfied with organization communication than traditional office workers. A discussion of these findings suggests this firm actually took steps recommended by researchers and consultants: upper level support, appropriate technology and technological support, culture training as well as technical training, restructuring work to support a virtual workplace, and providing extra social support systems to reduce alienation. Research limitations/implications – The results of the study are limited by the company-specific nature of the sample and number of responses. Originality/value – This study should help managers and practitioners in planning and implementing the technical and human side of a virtual workplace programme. It shows that communication satisfaction can improve in a virtual workplace and describes some of the steps the sample firm took in their implementation. Academic researchers can benefit by having a basis for further research and building beyond the limitations of this study.Keywords
This publication has 24 references indexed in Scilit:
- Social comparison in virtual work environments: An examination of contemporary referent selectionJournal of Occupational and Organizational Psychology, 2003
- Communication Audits and the Effects of Increased Information: A Follow-up StudyInternational Journal of Business Communication, 2002
- TELECOMMUTING TECHNOLOGY IMPLEMENTATIONS: A WITHIN‐ AND BETWEEN‐SUBJECTS LONGITUDINAL FIELD STUDYPersonnel Psychology, 2002
- Part‐time employment and communication satisfaction in an Australian retail organisationEmployee Relations: The International Journal, 2002
- Building trust and collaboration in a virtual teamTeam Performance Management, 2001
- A Study of Remote Workers and Their Differences from Non-Remote WorkersJournal of Organizational and End User Computing, 2001
- To work or not to work at home‐An empirical investigation of factors affecting attitudes towards teleworkingJournal of Managerial Psychology, 2000
- The advantages and challenges of working here, there anywhere, and anytimeOrganizational Dynamics, 1999
- Virtual teams: Technology and the workplace of the futureAcademy of Management Perspectives, 1998
- A Factor Analytic Study of Communication SatisfactionInternational Journal of Business Communication, 1977