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Staff Reactions to the Implementation of Electronic Monitoring and Control of Email Systems: A Contemporary Case Study

Staff Reactions to the Implementation of Electronic Monitoring and Control of Email Systems: A Contemporary Case Study
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Author(s): Aidan Duane (Waterford Institue of Technology (WIT), Ireland)and Patrick Finnegan (University College Cork, Ireland)
Copyright: 2005
Pages: 3
Source title: Managing Modern Organizations Through Information Technology
Source Editor(s): Mehdi Khosrow-Pour, D.B.A. (Information Resources Management Association, USA)
DOI: 10.4018/978-1-59140-822-2.ch113
ISBN13: 9781616921293
EISBN13: 9781466665354

Abstract

An email system is a critical business tool, and an essential part of organisational communication. However, many organisations have experienced negative impacts from email systems recently due to ad-hoc implementation, prolonged management neglect and user abuse. Organisations have responded by electronically monitoring and restricting email system use. However, electronic monitoring of email can be contentious. Staff can react to these controls by dissent, protest and potentially transformative action. This paper presents the results of a single case study investigation of staff reactions to electronic monitoring and control of an email system. The findings highlight the variations in staff reactions through multiple time frames and the different interpretations by management and staff of electronic monitoring and control of an email system. The paper concludes by identifying a number of key concerns of staff about electronic monitoring and control of an email system.

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