Date of Award
Spring 2009
Document Type
Thesis - Restricted
Degree Name
Master of Arts (MA)
Department
Communication
First Advisor
O'hara, Scott
Second Advisor
Feldner, Sarah
Third Advisor
Egdorf, Kerry
Abstract
As corporations continue to expand globally, communication technology is progressing at a rapid pace to keep up. With this global expansion, corporations are integrating BlackBerrys and other integrated wireless enterprise solutions (IWES) into their business technology models and are struggling to understand the totality of the communication technology's impact on corporate communication. Communication researchers have not specifically examined how these communication devices influence the communication that occurs within corporations. Existing literature concentrates on how the communication device blurs the boundaries between individuals' personal and professional lives. This study explores how company issued BlackBerry devices are changing corporate communication. Specifically, this study examines how work culture drives and defines how individuals use company issued BlackBerry devices and how that use affects overall corporate communication (i.e. meetings, interpersonal communication, business lunches, etc.). Guided by the social constuctionism [sic] perspective, this study reveals that individuals' use of company-issued BlackBerrys is influenced primarily by peers and supervisors within the complex work culture. Additionally, this study reveals that individual use, which is driven by the work culture, has a significant impact on various facets of overall corporate communication. This study provides a new model for looking at how BlackBerrys impact corporate communication and reveals that more analysis and consideration is needed as corporations integrate the communication technology into their communication technology models. Additionally, this study reveals the need for a new technology paradox called effective / ineffective to describe users' contradictory experiences with BlackBerrys.
Recommended Citation
Atkinson, Kari R., "Constantly Connected: A Case Study Exploring the Impact of Blackberry Devices on Corporate Communication" (2009). Master's Theses (1922-2009) Access restricted to Marquette Campus. 1573.
https://epublications.marquette.edu/theses/1573