Using Communication Related Information Technologies: Potential Influence and Implementation Issues

The objective of the article is to identify for the managers of technology-based organizations the main issues they typically have to face in considering the introduction of new communication related information technologies, and in implementing them. It might prove especially useful for vendors of these technologies, in consulting their customers about the optimal choice and utilization of their products. The first part of the article is mostly conceptual and it consists of three sections: first, a brief review of previous research in the area of communication in R&D, its determinants, and its influence on project team productivity. Second, a review of previous research of information technologies, and their potential influence on individual behavior in organizations. Finally, we present a conceptual model of the potential influence of information technologies on communication in technology based organizations, which could serve as a guideline for structural decisions in such organizations. The second part of the article is based on empirical data collected at ICL Applied Systems in two main areas: first, the study of communication patterns of software professionals, and the relationships between these communication patterns and software project team performance. The last part is a chronological review of the PABX SHOWCASE experience at ICL, supported by a peliminary empirical data on use of information systems.

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