It was very timely to read this week’s articles related to internet communication, because the computer which we typically use ‘privately’ is anything but. According to the "Privacy, Trust, and Disclosure Online" article by Schofield and Joinson with the convergence of more and more computer-mediated communication (CMC) becoming a part of everyday business and personal communication, one feels more connected; however, the lines of private and public become a little more blurred. We live in so many ‘trust’ systems (i.e. postal, internet, school), yet we are so untrusting to a certain extent.
I recently helped present the new integrated Office Communicator system with our email and voice mail providers, and I was amazed at the comments about the new communication tool. I literally saw the new system as an additional way to connect with my colleagues. It allows members to IM, video conference, telephone, etc. via the internet. To make a long story short, a number of participants saw the system as a ‘big brother’ device to track employees. This threat to employee privacy has stirred a lot of discussion. The new system saves a copy of the communications (text or voice) in an email folder. I didn’t think this was out of the ordinary, because this system is for work. I just kind of assume if I am communicating at work, it should be professional and work-related. I was surprised, but many didn’t seem to feel that way.
Therefore, after reading about problematic Internet use (PIU) in the "A Social Skill Acount of Problematic Internet Use" by Caplan, I wondered if the people that were timid of the new system would be more likely to succumb to more of the activities of PIU? It makes sense, because they wouldn’t want their employees to view that they are possibly wasting or stealing company time. Especially if they were using the system to meet new people, seek emotional support, and play socially interactive games. However, how do we know fellow employees are on facebook all day if we aren’t also in fact online trying to see what someone else is up to.
All in all, very powerful read on the CMC’s in our life. I really want to explore more of the CMC’s and continue to put these theories to the test.
See my earlier comment about the need to give more context about the assigned readings.
ReplyDeleteThe main thing that jumped out at me here was your use of Office Communicator. I just got MacOffice2011 installed on my university computer and noticed the "C" icon.
So the way you were seeing the tool was like Skype? How did fellow employees see it as privacy-invading? Because if it's used the transcripts get saved, perhaps? Can you elaborate on how it works because I've never opened it. Thanks!
The light bulb just went off - sorry. I will go back in and fix. I thought you meant I wasn't putting enough information about my readings, but I think you mean to incorporate how a reader of the blog would get to the article - is that correct? If so, I will go back and fix.
ReplyDeleteIt is similar to Skype with regards to IM, phone calls, etc. One of the areas that was a concern was the 'presence icon's. They are linked to your Outlook calendar and when you log-in, so contacts are able to see when you are in/available. If you are home working on your work laptop the presence icon shows you available.
They were not fans of the conversations going in as a history or record in their email into a 'conversation' folder. I was suprised, because they understood the college have access/ownership of their email, but the copies of their conversations in Communicator was not in their comfort level. Thank you!
I'm not sure if we're talking about the same thing, but my school just adopted gmail at my college have access to Chat. We are visible when online and can hold-real-time-conversations. I love the convenience of it and seem to get a lot of the communication needs completed quickly with out having to schedule appointments or send brief emails and wonder when they will be responded to. Gmail also allows us to set our status as invisible if we don't want to be bothered.
ReplyDeleteWe have office communicator at work as well, and working in the IT department I know exactly what information is tracked. I only go onto the Internet via my iPhone. I don't like big brother watching me all the time.
ReplyDeleteI worked for companies that have been major "big brother" types when monitoring employee computer/phone use. I've also worked for companies that don't really care. I personally feel that the latter tends to be more successful because employees tend to feel more comfortable in knowing that the company trusts them to get their daily work done. If it does, not harm no foul. On the other hand, if the company suspects that an employee is just messing around all day and not getting their work done, they do have the capability of monitoring internet and e-mail use. Feeling like your boss or company is constantly monitoring you makes you feel like a child and actually inhibits productivity in many ways.Very nice post, Amy!
ReplyDeleteMark very interesting comments and kind of perhaps reinforces the 'Big Brother' fear. I found this article pretty interesting - http://news.cnet.com/8301-1009_3-20022650-83.html
ReplyDeletePresident Obama wants to shore up internet privacy. Can we really tame that beast?
Neil I would agree with you totally! Let the people be the resource and foundation of the company without micro managing. Check out the SAS worklife model - I wish more companies followed their lead - http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2003/04/18/60minutes/main550102.shtml
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