Describe issues of communicating in the virtual workplace

COMM/470 COMMUNICATING IN THE VIRTUAL WORKPLACE COURSE DESCRIPTION

This course offers guidance and examples on how to communicate effectively in a workplace that is increasingly dependent upon technology as a means to communicate globally. The course provides students with an understanding of technology-mediated communication and the ability to maximize the use of new mediums to optimize organizational communications. Intranets, Internet, e-commerce, and the impacts upon customer satisfaction of new communications technologies are explored.

Electronic Commerce introduces a number of distinctions between different types of organizations and activities related to the virtual economy e-commerce versus e-business, for example. How and where are these distinctions useful?

Electronic Commerce introduces a number of distinctions between different types of transactions. Why is this important? What use is this distinction?

Electronic Commerce describes a number of forces driving e-commerce. How do these different forces relate to each other?

Given how widely e-commerce has spread; provide examples of businesses that do not have an e-commerce component. What communication characteristics do these businesses share?

Electronic Commerce indicates, e-commerce changes the role of information in business. Information costs are lower, and more information is available. What are ways this changes the nature of business communication?

Electronic Commerce indicates, one element defining e-commerce is increased flexibility. In what communication-specific ways might this increased flexibility be negative?

What are the characteristics of virtual communication? How do they differ from the characteristics of natural communication?

How might the communications needs of a virtual worker differ from those of a more traditional office worker? Based on these needs, how would you structure various types of communications?memo, voice mail message, and so forth?for a virtual worker? Discuss how a manager's style might need to change if he or she supervises a virtual staff.

How does communication flow up, down, and across your company? Who may talk to whom? What are the preferred methods, or technologies, for communication?

What do you feel are the primary strengths and weaknesses of your company's communications structure?