The present study performed a content analysis on 157 electronic mail files received
over the course of several months by a middle level manager in a computer services depart
ment of a large organization. The mail was coded and analyzed according to the direc
tion of the communication through the hierarchy of the organization, the communication
function of the mail, and whether or not the mail contained a redundant signature.
Significant differences were found (chi-square=45.40, p< .001) in the communication
function according to the direction of the communication. Vertical mail was more
restricted in function than horizontally directed mail and was used primarily to exchange
information. The presence or absence of a signature in the mail reflected the direction
mail was sent through the organizational hierarchy. Subordinates and others signed mail
signiftcantly more often than superiors (chi-square=18.62, p<.001).
The present results describe the communication functions and paralanguage found in
electronic mail in one organization. Based on these results, the impact of electronic mail
use upon the organizational communication system is discussed.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
Allen, T.J. & Hauptman, O. (1987). The Influence of communication technologies on organizational structure: A conceptual model for future research. Communication Research, 14, 575-587.
2.
Asteroff, J.F. (1987). Paralanguage in electronic mail: A case study . (Doctoral dissertation, Columbia University, 1987). Dissertation Abstracts International, 48, DA8721076.
3.
Alexander, E.R., Helms, M.M., & Curran, K.E. (1987). An information processing analysis of organization information adequacy/abundance. Management Communication Quarterly , 1, 150-172.
4.
Bertelsen, D.A. (1987). The influences of media on culture. Paper presented at the Eastern Communication Association convention, Syracuse, New York.
5.
Culnan, M.J. & Markus, M.L. (1987). Information technologies. In F. Jablin, L. Putnam, K. Roberts, & L. Porter (Eds.), Handbook of Organizational Communication, (pp.420-443). Beverly Hills, CA: Sage.
6.
Daft, R.L. & Lengel, R.H. (1986). Organizational information requirements, media richness and structural design. Management Science, 32(5), 554-571.
7.
Daft, R.L. & Macintosh, N.B. (1981). A tentative exploration into the amount and equivocality of information processing in organizational work units. Administrative Science Quarterly, 26, 207-224.
8.
Daniels, T.D. & Spiker, B.K. (1987). Perspectives on organizational communication. Dubuque, IA: Wm. C. Brown.
9.
Fulk, J., Power, G., Schmitz, J., & Steinfield, C.W. (1987). Social information and communications media choice in organizations. Paper presented at the International Communication Association convention , Montreal, Canada.
10.
Galbraith, J. (1974). Organization design: An information processing view. Interfaces, 4, 28-36.
11.
Goldhaber, G.M. (1986). Organizational communication (4th ed.). Dubuque, IA: Wm. C. Brown .
12.
Goldhaber, G.M., Yates, M.P., Porter, D.T., & Lesniak, R. (1978). Organizational Communication: 1978. Human Communication Research, 5, 76-96.
13.
Gratz, R.D. & Salem, P.J. (1984). Technology and the crisis of self. Communication Quarterly, 32, 98-103.
14.
Hiemstra, G.E. (1986). The electronic organization: Communicating and organizing in a new age. In L. Thayer (Ed.), Organization Communication: Emerging perspectives I (pp. 196-220). Norwood, NJ: Ablex Publishing Corporation.
15.
Huseman, R.C. & Alexander, E.R. (1979). Communication and the managerial function: Acontingency approach. In R. Huseman & A. Carroll (Eds.), Readings in organizational behavior (pp.326-335). Boston: Allyn & Bacon.
16.
Jablin, F.M. (1982). Formal structural characteristics of organizations and superior-subordinate communication. Human Communication Research, 8, 338-347.
17.
Kersten, A. (1986). A critical-interpretive approach to the study of organizational communication: Bringing communication back into the field . In L. Thayer (Ed.), Organization Communication: Emerging perspectives I (pp. 133-150). Norwood, NJ : Ablex Publishing Corporation.
18.
Kiesler, S., Siegel, J., & McGuire, T.W. (1984). Social psychological aspects of computer-mediated communication. American Psychologist, 39(10), 1123-1134.
19.
Mitchell, R.B., Crawford, M.C., & Madden, R.B. (1985). An investigation of the impact of electronic communications systems on organizational communications patterns. The Journal of Business Communication, 22(4), 9-16.
20.
Penley, L.E. (1982). An investigation of the information processing framework of organizational communication. Human Communication Research, 8(4), 348-365.
21.
Reder, S. & Conklin, N.F. (1987). Selection and effects of channels in distributed communication and decision-making tasks: A theoretical review and a proposed research paradigm. Paper presented at the International Communication Association convention, Montreal, Canada.
22.
Rice, R.E. (1987). Computer-mediated communication and organizational innovation. Journal of Communication, 37(4), 65-94.
23.
Rice, R.E. & Case, D. (1983). Computer based messaging in the university: A description of use and utility. Journal of Communication, 33(1), 131-152.
24.
Rice, R.E. and associates (1984). The new media: Communication, research, and technology. Beverly Hills, CA: Sage.
25.
Richmond, V.P., Davis, L.M., Saylor, K., & McCroskey, J.C. (1984). Power strategies in organizations: Communication techniques and messages. Human Communication Research, 11, 85-108.
26.
Ritti, R.R. (1986). The social bases of organizational knowledge. In L. Thayer (Ed.), Organization Communication: Emerging perspectives I (pp.102-132). Norwood, NJ : Ablex Publishing Corporation.
27.
Robey, D. (1979). User attitudes and management information system use. Academy of management journal, 22(3), 527-538.
28.
Ruben, B.D. (1988). Communication and human behavior (2nd ed.). New York: Macmillan Publishing Company.
29.
SAS Institute, Inc. (1985). SAS user's guide: Basics version5 edition. Cary, NC: SAS Institute, Inc.
30.
Schmitz, J. (1987). Electronic messaging: System use in local governments . Paper presented at the International Communication Association convention, Montreal, Canada.
31.
Sherblom, J. (1985). BITNET: Interuniversity computer network. Journal of Surveying Engineering, 11(1), 57-70.
32.
Singer, B.D. (1986). Organizational communication and social disassembly: An essay on electronic anomie. In L. Thayer (Ed.), Organization Communication: Emerging perspectives I (pp 102-132). Norwood, NJ: Ablex Publishing Corporation.
33.
Smeltzer, L.R. (1986). An analysis of receiver's reactions to electronically mediated communication. The Journal of Business Communication , 23(4), 37-54.
34.
Smith, M.J. (1988). Contemporary communication research methods. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth Publishing Company.
35.
Sproull, L. & Kiesler, S. (1986). Reducing social context cues: Electronic mail in organizational communication. Management Science, 32(11), 1492-1512.
36.
Steinfield, C.W. (1986). Computer-mediated communication in an organizational setting: Explaining task-related and socioemotional uses. In M.L. Mc-Laughlin (Ed.), Communication yearbook , 9 (pp 777-804). Beverly Hills, CA: Sage.
37.
Taylor, J.R. (1986). New communication technologies and the emergence of distributed organizations: Looking beyond 1984. In L. Thayer (Ed.), Organization Communication: Emerging perspectives I (pp. 231-273). Norwood, NJ: Ablex Publishing Corporation.
38.
Tompkins, P.K. (1987). Translating organizational theory: Symbolism over substance. In F. Jablin, L. Putnam, K. Roberts, & L. Porter (Eds.), Handbook of Organizational Communication (pp.70-96). Beverly Hills, CA: Sage.
39.
Tompkins, P.K. (1988). Response to top three papers in organizational communication. Paper presented at the Western Speech Communication Association convention, San Diego, CA.
40.
Tubbs, S.L. & Moss, S. (1983). Human Communication. New York : Random House.
41.
Turner, J.A. (1988). 'E-Mail' technology has boomed, but manners of its users fall short of perfection. The Chronicle of Higher Education, pp.A1, A16.
42.
Ugbah, S.D. & DeWine, S. (1987). Computer mediated communication systems: The impact on organizational climate and information adequacy in organizational settings . Paper presented at the International Communication Association convention, Montreal, Canada.
43.
Uhlig, R.P. (1977). Human factors in computer message systems. Datamation, pp.120-126.
44.
Yates, J. (1982). From press book and pigeonhole to vertical filing: Revolution in storage and access systems for correspondence. Journal of Communication, 19, 5-26.
45.
Williams, F. (1986). Reasoning with statistics. New York: Holt, Rinehart and Winston.
