In the information age the use of computer technology has and will increasingly change the way communication occurs in organizations. In this article, we setforth an Integrative Model of Information Systems and Organizational Communication. Based on this model, we discuss the communication implications offour computer-based systems: (a) Electronic Messaging Systems (EMS), (b) Executive Information Systems (EIS), (c) Group Decision Support Systems (GDSS), and (d) Executive Presentation Systems (EPS). The major purpose of this article is to provide an overview of these systems and, through a series of propositions, to examine the potential impact of these computerized systems upon the traditional areas of organizational communication.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
Alexander, E.R., III, Helms, M.M., & Curran, K.E. (1987). An information processing analysis of organization information adequacy/abundance. Management Communication Quarterly, 1 (2),
2.
Behling, R. (1986). Computers and information processing. Boston: Kent Publishing Company.
3.
Bennett, J.C., & Olney, R.J. (1986). Executive priorities for effective communication in an information society. Journal of Business Communication, 23 (2), 13-22.
4.
Boillot, M.H. (1978). Understanding Fortran. St. Paul: West Publishing Company.
5.
Campbell, D.T. (1958). Systematic error on the part of human links in communication systems. Information and Control, 1, 334-369.
Daft, R.L., & Lengel, R.H. (1984). Information richness: A new approach to managerial behavior and organizational design. Research in Organizational Behavior, 6, 191-233.
8.
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, 201-224.
9.
DeSanctis, G., & Gallupe, R.B. (1987). A foundation for the study of group decision support systems. Management Science, 33, 589-609.
10.
DeSanctis, G., & Gallupe, R.B. (1985). Group decision support systems: A new frontier. Data Base, 16 (2), 3-10.
11.
Drucker, PF. (1985, June 4). Playing the information-based 'orchestra.' Wall Street Journal, p. 32-32.
12.
Earley, P.C. (1988). Computer-generated performance feedback in the magazine-subscription industry. Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, 41, 50-64.
Friend, D. (1986). Executive information systems: Successes, failures, insights, and misconceptions. Proceedings of the DSS-86 Conference on Decision Support Systems Institute for Management Science, 6, 35-40.
15.
Friend, D. (1987). The three pillars of EIS. Information Center, 3 (8), 32-38.
16.
Hatfield, J.D., & Huseman, R.C. (1982). Perceptual congruence about communication as related to satisfaction: Moderating effects of individual characteristics. Academy of Management Journal, 25, 349-358.
17.
Holmes, G. (1986). Graphic results at the touch of a button. Accountancy, 97 (1), 132-135.
18.
Houdeshel, G., & Watson, H.J. (1987). The management information and decision support (MIDS) system at Lockheed-Georgia. MIS Quarterly, 11, 127-140.
19.
House, R.L., Filley, A.C., & Gujarati, D.W, (1971). Leadership style, hierarchical influence, and the satisfaction of subordinate role expectations: A test of Likert's influence proposition. Journal of Applied Psychology, 55, 422-432.
20.
Huber, G. P. (1982). Group decision support system as aids in the use of structured group management techniques. DDS-82 Conference Proceedings, 2, 96-108.
21.
Huber, G.P. (1984). Issues in the design of group decision support systems. MIS Quarterly, 8, 195-204.
22.
Huseman, R.C., & Alexander, E.R., III (1979). Communication and the managerial function: A contingency approach. In R.C. Huseman & A.B. Carroll (Eds.) Readings in organizational behavior: Dimensions of management actions (pp. 326-335). Boston: Allyn & Bacon.
23.
Huseman, R.C., Lahiff, J.M., & Penrose, J.M. (1988). Business communication: Strategies and skills. Chicago: Dryden Press.
24.
Ilgen, D.R., Fisher, C.D., & Taylor, M.S. (1979). Consequences of individual feedback on behavior in organizations. Journal of Applied Psychology, 64, 349-371.
25.
Jablin, E M. (1979). Superior-subordinate communication: The state of the art. Psychological Bulletin, 86, 1201-1222.
26.
Katz, D. & Kahn, R.L. (1978). the socialpsychology of organizations (2nd ed.). New York: Wiley.
27.
Kefalas, A.G. (1977). Organizational communication: A systems viewpoint. In R.C. Huseman, C.M. Logue, & D.L. Freshley (Eds.) Readings in interpersonal and organizational communication (3rd ed. pp. 25-43). Boston: Holbrook Press, Inc.
28.
Keim, R.T., & Jacobs, S. (1986). Expert systems: The DDS of the future?Journal of Systems Management, 37 (12), 6-14.
29.
Kelman, H.C. (1958). Compliance, identification, and internalization: Three processes of attitude change. Journal of Conflict Resolution, 2, 51-60.
30.
King, WC. & Dent, M.M. (1987, August). The persuasive effect of graphics in electronic communication systems. Paper presented at the meeting of the Academy of Management, New Orleans.
31.
Kneale, D. (1985, September 16). The unfinished revolution. Wall Street Journal, pp. 1-1, 7-8.
32.
Kroeber, D.R., & Watson, H.J. (1987). Computer-based information systems. New York: Macmillan.
33.
Locke, E.A. (1968). Toward a theory of task motivation and incentives. Organizational Behavior and Human Performance, 3, 157-189.
34.
Luconi, EL., Malone, T.W, & Morton, M.S.S. (1986). Expert systems: The next challenge for managers. Sloan Management Review, 27 (4), 3-13.
35.
Miles, E.W, O'Keefe, K., Hatfield, J.D., & Huseman, R.C. (1987, August). Assessing the utility qf computer-generated graphics in problem solving. Paper presented at the meeting of the Academy of Management, New Orleans.
36.
Miller, J.G. (1960). Information input overload and psychopathology. American Journal of Psychiatry, 116, 695-704.
37.
Minter, R.L. (1969). A comparative analysis of managerial communication in two divisions of a large manufacturing company. Unpublished doctoral dissertation, Purdue University.
38.
Myers, M.T, & Myers, G.E. (1982). Managing by communication: An organizational approach. New York: McGraw-Hill.
39.
Naisbitt, J. (1982). Megatrends: Ten new directions transforming our lives. New York: Warner Books.
40.
Nunamaker, JE., Applegate, L.M., & Konsynski, B.R. (1987). Facilitating group creativity: Experience with a group decision support system. Journal of Management Information Systems, 3 (4), 5-19.
41.
O'Leary, M. (1987, June 30). At Xerox, technology mirrors management styles. PC Week, pp. 37-44.
42.
Opper, S. (1987, April 21). Computer conferencing adds a new dimension to the workplace. PC Week, pp. 57-57, 69-69, 74-74.
43.
Pelz, D.C. (1952). Influence: A key to effective leadership in the first-line supervisor. Personnel, 29, 3-11.
44.
Penley, L.E. (1982). An investigation of the information processing framework of organizational communication. Human Communication Research, 8, 348-365.
45.
Porter, L.W, & Roberts, K.H. (1976). Communication in organizations. In M.D. Dunnette (Ed.), Handbook of industrial and organizational psychology, (pp. 1553-1589). Chicago: Rand McNally.
46.
Putnam, L.L., & Cheney, G. (1985). Organizational communication: Historical development and future directions. In T.W Benson (Ed.), Speech communication in the twentieth century (pp. 130-156). Carbondale, IL: Southern Illinois University Press.
47.
Read, W H. (1962). Upward communication in industrial hierarchies. Human Relations, 15, 3-15.
48.
Redding, WC. (1972). Communication within the organization. New York: Industrial Communication Council.
49.
Redding, WC. (1979). Organizational communication theory and ideology: An overview. In D. Nimmo (Ed.), Communication Yearbook 3 (pp. 309-341). New Brunswick: Transaction Books.
50.
Rinaldi, D., & Jastrzembski, T. (1986, July 9). Executive information systems: The golden opportunity. Computerworld, (pp. 28-30).
51.
Roberts, K.H., & O'Reilly, C.A. (1974). Failures in upward communication in organizations: Three possible culprits. Academy of Management Journal, 17, 205-215.
52.
Shaw, M.E. (1981). Group dynamics: The psychology of small group behavior (3rd. ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill.
53.
Senn, J.A.Information systems in management (3rd Ed.). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth.
54.
Steinfeld, C.W (1986). Computer-mediated communication in an organizational setting: Explaining task-related and socioemotional uses. In M.L. McLaughlin (Ed.), Communication Yearbook 9 (pp. 777-804). Beverly Hills: Sage Publications.
55.
Steinfeld, C. W (1985, May). Dimensions of electronic mail use in an organizational setting. Paper presented at the Academy of Management meeting, San Diego.
56.
Steinfeld, C.W, & Fulk, J. (1986, May). Information processing in organizations and media choice. Paper presented at the meeting of the International Communication Association, Chicago.
57.
Stone, D.L., & Stone, E.E (1985). The effects of feedback consistency and feedback favorability on self-perceived task competence and perceived feedback accuracy. Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, 36, 167-185.
58.
Synnott, W R. (1987). The information weapon: Winning customers and markets with technology. New York: Wiley.
59.
Toffler, A. (1980). The third wave. New York: William Morrow & Company.
60.
Tom, P L. (1987). Managing information as a corporate resource. Glenview, IL: Scott, Foresman.
61.
Tompkins, P.K. (1984). The functions of human communication in organizations. In C.C. Arnold & J.W Bowers (Eds.), Handbook of rhetorical and communication theory (pp. 659-719). Boston: Allyn & Bacon.
62.
Williams, E. (1977). Experimental comparisons of face-to-face and mediated communication: A review. Psychological Bulletin, 84, 963-976.
63.
Williams, F, & Rice, R.E. (1983). Communication results and the new media technologies. In R.N. Bostrom (Ed.). Communication yearbook 7 (pp. 200-224). Beverly Hills: Sage Publications.
