Information Technology Benefits of Information Technology IT Increased

Information Technology • Benefits of Information Technology (IT) – Increased ability to monitor individual and team performance – Better decision making based on more complete information – More collaboration and sharing of information – Greater accessibility to coworkers Chapter 10, Stephen P. Robbins, Mary Coulter, and Nancy Langton, Management, Ninth Canadian Edition Copyright © 2009 Pearson Education Canada 26

Information Technology • Networked Computer Systems – Linking individual computers to create an organizational network for communication and information sharing • • • Email Instant messaging Voice-mail and fax Electronic data exchange (EDI) Teleconferencing and videoconferencing Intranets and extranets Chapter 10, Stephen P. Robbins, Mary Coulter, and Nancy Langton, Management, Ninth Canadian Edition Copyright © 2009 Pearson Education Canada 27

Tips for Sending Emails • Always use the subject line. • Be careful using emoticons and acronyms for business communication. • Write clearly and briefly. • Copy emails to others only if they really need the information. • Sleep on angry emails before sending. Chapter 10, Stephen P. Robbins, Mary Coulter, and Nancy Langton, Management, Ninth Canadian Edition Copyright © 2009 Pearson Education Canada 28

Information Technology • Types of Network Systems – Intranet • An internal network that uses Internet technology and is accessible only to employees – Extranet • An internal network that uses Internet technology and allows authorized users inside the organization to communicate with certain outsiders, such as customers and vendors – Wireless capabilities Chapter 10, Stephen P. Robbins, Mary Coulter, and Nancy Langton, Management, Ninth Canadian Edition Copyright © 2009 Pearson Education Canada 29

How IT Affects Organizations • Removes the constraints of time and distance – Allows widely dispersed employees to work together • Provides for the sharing of information – Increases effectiveness and efficiency • Integrates decision making and work – Provides more complete information and participation for better decisions • Creates problems of constant accessibility to employees – Blurs the line between work and personal lives Chapter 10, Stephen P. Robbins, Mary Coulter, and Nancy Langton, Management, Ninth Canadian Edition Copyright © 2009 Pearson Education Canada 30

Ethical Concerns for Email and Voice -mail Use • Not necessarily private – Employer has access to them. • The federal Privacy Act and the Access to Information Act apply to all federal government departments, most federal agencies, and some federal crown corporations. • Many private sector employees are not covered by privacy legislation. – Only Quebec’s privacy act applies to the entire private sector. • Managers need to clearly convey: – Whether communications will be monitored – Company policies on personal Internet and email use Chapter 10, Stephen P. Robbins, Mary Coulter, and Nancy Langton, Management, Ninth Canadian Edition Copyright © 2009 Pearson Education Canada 31