Information and communication in the virtual: A qualitative study of the role of presence for information and communication in an organisation working virtually
2022 (engelsk)Independent thesis Advanced level (degree of Master (One Year)), 15 poäng / 22,5 hp
OppgaveAlternativ tittel
Information och kommunikation i det virtuella : En kvalitativ studie av närvarons roll för information och kommunikation i en organisation som arbetar virtuellt (svensk)
Abstract [en]
The purpose of this study was to contribute knowledge on the role of presence for work-related communication and information sharing in an organisation. More specifically, the study examined three forms of presence, i.e. physical, virtual and social presence. A Swedish IT company's experience of working virtually during the COVID-19 pandemic was investigated through qualitative interviews. By using an IT company as an empirical example, the hope was to look beyond ground issues with virtual work, such as digital competence and access to technology, and instead look towards the interplay between people, presence and communication. The empirical data was analysed with thematic analysis. By describing a connection between the information needs of work tasks and people's presence as a source of information, the study suggested several findings regarding presence. The results showed that presence plays a role for information and communication in an organisation. What is more, there is a task-presence fit, depending on whether the tasks are technical or people-related. This is because different degrees of social presence are needed to cope with different types of tasks. As such, it was suggested that an awareness of the role of physical and virtual presence for internal communication and information sharing in an organisation, and strategic use of social presence through media, has a role in tackling the challenges of virtual work to make use of its opportunities.
sted, utgiver, år, opplag, sider
2022.
Emneord [en]
information, communication, presence, social presence, information needs, work tasks, virtual work, COVID-19
HSV kategori
Identifikatorer
URN: urn:nbn:se:hb:diva-28806OAI: oai:DiVA.org:hb-28806DiVA, id: diva2:1706492
2022-10-282022-10-262022-10-28bibliografisk kontrollert