Reinforcing The Status Quo in Organizations Through Mobile Instant Messaging (MIM)

IF 2.4 Q2 INFORMATION SCIENCE & LIBRARY SCIENCE
Nur Syazwani Ahmad, S. Bahri, Ali Fauzi
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引用次数: 2

Abstract

Background: The usage of mobile instant messaging (MIM) applications such as WhatsApp and Telegram in an organization has become increasingly popular. Unfortunately, studies on the phenomenon, especially its impact on organizations, such as power distribution, have been scarce. Thus, this study asks, how does MIM technology affect power distribution in an organization? The objectives are twofold. The first is to determine how the MIM technology altered the distribution of power in an organization. The second is to identify why a collaborative tool intended for social use can have a profound impact on power relations in an organization. Method: This case study involved interviews with twenty-one participants through six group interview sessions. The management selected the participants based on the study requirements. The interview participants were selected from different levels of the organization’s hierarchy that use MIM actively in managing work. Results: The findings suggest that increased use of MIM for many activities, such as delivering instructions and monitoring work progress, has had a profound effect on power distribution. The findings suggest that the implementation of MIM in managing work reinforces the status quo of top management through the congregation of employees, forced commitment, and the illusion of consensus. Conclusions: MIM can reinforce the power of the top management over the rest by extending its reach to all levels in the organization. Findings from this study add to the existing knowledge on the relationship between power and information systems (IS) and power relations and MIM.
通过移动即时通讯(MIM)加强组织现状
背景:在组织中使用移动即时通讯(MIM)应用程序(如WhatsApp和Telegram)已变得越来越流行。不幸的是,关于这一现象的研究,特别是它对组织的影响,如权力分配,一直很少。因此,本研究提出,MIM技术如何影响组织中的权力分配?目标是双重的。首先是确定MIM技术如何改变组织中的权力分配。第二个是确定为什么一个用于社会用途的协作工具会对组织中的权力关系产生深远的影响。方法:本研究通过6次小组访谈,对21名参与者进行访谈。管理层根据研究要求选择参与者。访谈的参与者是从积极使用MIM管理工作的组织层级的不同层次中挑选出来的。结果:研究结果表明,在许多活动中增加使用MIM,例如传递指令和监控工作进度,对权力分配产生了深远的影响。研究结果表明,在管理工作中实施MIM,通过聚集员工、强迫承诺和共识幻觉,强化了高层管理人员的现状。结论:MIM可以通过将其影响范围扩展到组织的所有层次来加强最高管理者对其他人的权力。本研究的结果补充了现有的权力与信息系统(IS)、权力关系与MIM之间关系的知识。
本文章由计算机程序翻译,如有差异,请以英文原文为准。
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来源期刊
CiteScore
4.10
自引率
33.30%
发文量
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