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Relationships Of Job Categories And Organizational Levels To Use Of Communication Channels, Including Electronic Mail: A Meta‐Analysis And Extension

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  • Ronald E. Rice
  • Douglas E. Shook

Abstract

This study tests hypotheses derived from information processing theory concerning relationships between individuals' job category, organizational level, and levels and patterns of media usage. Media studied include face‐to‐face, meetings, memos/letters, telephone and electronic mail. In the meta‐analysis of over 40 studies, usage of different media was significantly different for managers/executives versus others, and was highly correlated with organizational level. In the individual‐level analyses of four organizations, the majority of respondents were classified into their actual job categories, and according to distances between organizational levels, by a discriminant function involving only relative extent of media use, especially participation in meetings. Contrary to information richness theory, upper‐level respondents (managers) did not necessarily use electronic mail less than did lower‐level respondents (clerical workers). The article concludes by discussing implications for theories of organizational media use and implementation of electronic mail systems.

Suggested Citation

  • Ronald E. Rice & Douglas E. Shook, 1990. "Relationships Of Job Categories And Organizational Levels To Use Of Communication Channels, Including Electronic Mail: A Meta‐Analysis And Extension," Journal of Management Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 27(2), pages 195-229, March.
  • Handle: RePEc:bla:jomstd:v:27:y:1990:i:2:p:195-229
    DOI: 10.1111/j.1467-6486.1990.tb00760.x
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    Cited by:

    1. Bruce Barry & J. Michael Crant, 2000. "Dyadic Communication Relationships in Organizations: An Attribution/Expectancy Approach," Organization Science, INFORMS, vol. 11(6), pages 648-664, December.
    2. Ned Kock, 2004. "The Psychobiological Model: Towards a New Theory of Computer-Mediated Communication Based on Darwinian Evolution," Organization Science, INFORMS, vol. 15(3), pages 327-348, June.
    3. Nada Korac-Kakabadse & Alexander Kouzmin & Andrew Korac-Kakabadse, 2000. "Information Technology-Enabled Communication and Organizational Effectiveness," International Review of Public Administration, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 5(1), pages 17-36, June.
    4. Brian E. Mennecke & Joseph S. Valacich & Bradley C. Wheeler, 2000. "The Effects of Media and Task on User Performance: A Test of the Task-Media Fit Hypothesis," Group Decision and Negotiation, Springer, vol. 9(6), pages 507-529, November.
    5. Jonathan W. Palmer, 2002. "Web Site Usability, Design, and Performance Metrics," Information Systems Research, INFORMS, vol. 13(2), pages 151-167, June.
    6. Spivack, April J. & Woodside, Arch G., 2019. "Applying complexity theory for modeling human resource outcomes: Antecedent configurations indicating perceived location autonomy and work environment choice," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 102(C), pages 109-119.
    7. Gary V. Howorka & Lorien A. Anderson & K. Michael Goul & Michael Hine, 1995. "A Computational Model of Coordination for the Design of Organizational Decision Support Systems," Intelligent Systems in Accounting, Finance and Management, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 4(1), pages 43-70, March.
    8. Wheeler, Patrick & Arunachalam, Vairam, 2009. "The effects of multimedia on cognitive aspects of decision-making," International Journal of Accounting Information Systems, Elsevier, vol. 10(2), pages 97-116.
    9. Yinan Wang & Yingchong Wang, 2022. "Developing Creative Leadership in the Use of Digital Communication Tools: A Psychological Perspective," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(19), pages 1-20, September.
    10. Benoit Aubert & Suzanne Rivard & Mathieu Templier, 2009. "The Impact of Distance on Offshore Business Relationships," CIRANO Working Papers 2009s-05, CIRANO.
    11. Rebentisch, Eric., 1997. "The link between technology complexity and communication complexity in international technology transfer," Working papers 158-97. Working paper (Sl, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Sloan School of Management.
    12. Yi Yang & Wen Deng & Yi Zhang & Zijun Mao, 2020. "Promoting Public Engagement during the COVID-19 Crisis: How Effective Is the Wuhan Local Government’s Information Release?," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(1), pages 1-17, December.

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