Communication is an important part of any business, yet it is often one that is overlooked as a critical success factors. Companies which can effectively communicate internally are more likely to be productive and efficient than those companies which lack strong internal communications. Effective communication eliminates wasted time, provides a record of how (and what) decisions were made, and enhances each individual's ability to get the job done. In recent years, advances in technology have improved the tools available to enhance business communication. Where employees once depended on paper memos or face to face communication, telephone intercoms, voice mail and teleconferencing have now greatly enriched the ways in which employees can communicate with each other and with the world at large. This research considers a recent technological innovation, electronic mail (E-mail), and whether or not it is appropriate for a company to implement.
The term "electronic mail" came about to describe messages which were once sent through traditional mail systems: documents, either short or long. However, E-mail now can transmit documents, spreadsheets, graphics, video and even audio files from one point to another using computers. Mainframes and minicomputers can often have E-mail capabilities without requiring additional hardware; anyone set up on these systems can have access to E-mail within the company. The proliferation of computer networks within the business world, however, has also meant the introduction of E-mail software that works in a networked environment; this has led to additional E-mail capabilities, such as connecting to outside services.
It is not necessary to have a network to use electronic mail; such systems have been set up on minicomputers and mainframes. However, with the proliferation of personal computers on individual desks, networks are becoming increasingly popular as companies seek to give access to...