IRMA-International.org: Creator of Knowledge
Information Resources Management Association
Advancing the Concepts & Practices of Information Resources Management in Modern Organizations

Writing Research into Professional E-Mail Communication

Writing Research into Professional E-Mail Communication
View Sample PDF
Author(s): Kristie Edwards (Sheffield Hallam University, UK), Simeon Yates (Sheffield Hallam University, UK), Anne-Florence Dujardin (Sheffield Hallam University, UK)and Geff Green (Sheffield Hallam University, UK)
Copyright: 2008
Pages: 18
Source title: Handbook of Research on Virtual Workplaces and the New Nature of Business Practices
Source Author(s)/Editor(s): Pavel Zemliansky (James Madison University, USA)and Kirk St.Amant (East Carolina University, USA)
DOI: 10.4018/978-1-59904-893-2.ch026

Purchase

View Writing Research into Professional E-Mail Communication on the publisher's website for pricing and purchasing information.

Abstract

A healthy balance between social and task-oriented activities helps teamwork. In virtual teams, e-mail texts must often carry both task-oriented and socio-emotional communication between individuals. While some theories of computer-mediated communication suggest socio-emotional exchange may not be well supported in e-mail communications, research demonstrates that individuals, nevertheless, achieve this. However, the lack of unplanned informal exchanges in virtual teams communicating by e-mail may still hinder team performance. We compared adaptations in socio-emotional content of e-mail communications in academic and commercial team writing contexts. Results suggested a task-oriented focus in the commercial team culture and an even social-task balance in the academic team culture. Our research leads us to recommend a more conversational style in professional e-mail writing. Additionally in virtual team working, we recommend encouraging face-to-face contact, allocating time specifically for social exchanges and making information about colleagues available to each other.

Related Content

. © 2023. 14 pages.
. © 2023. 22 pages.
. © 2023. 32 pages.
. © 2023. 53 pages.
. © 2023. 24 pages.
. © 2023. 23 pages.
. © 2023. 20 pages.
Body Bottom