Problem:
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.
Question 1: 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?
Question 2: Electronic Commerce introduces a number of distinctions between different types of transactions. Why is this important? What use is this distinction?
Question 3: Electronic Commerce describes a number of forces driving e-commerce. How do these different forces relate to each other?
Question 4: 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?
Question 5: 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?
Question 6: Electronic Commerce indicates, one element defining e-commerce is increased flexibility. In what communication-specific ways might this increased flexibility be negative?
Question 7: What are the characteristics of virtual communication? How do they differ from the characteristics of natural communication?
Question 8: 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.
Question 9: How does communication flow up, down, and across your company? Who may talk to whom? What are the preferred methods, or technologies, for communication?
Question 10: What do you feel are the primary strengths and weaknesses of your company's communications structure?