The use of the internet, social network, and mobile technology development today has had a massive impact on work nature. Social networks and the internet provided more ways for employees to interact and develop. The internet has given organisations the power to search for the best employees or even other organisations to partnership. The information provided by individuals or organisations explains how social networks have increased efficiency in many works, workplaces, and works profits.
Communication has developed effectively. Emails are one of the most significant advantages caused by the internet and social media and have had a substantial impact on our day-to-day lives. Some phone calls go unanswered and emails unread. Referring to ”The Role of the Internet’Internet’ book “, through the use of social network and technology today, we can bring in a new channel of interaction that allows specific topics to be better addressed.” As an example, Microsoft Office Outlook has two emails categories. One is focused, and the second is other. The focused category holds important emails for the user. The other category contains any other emails. The emails are filtered and organised according to social media and contact lists, making it easier for the user. Instead of going through many unread emails, the emails are collected in terms of importance, saving users from missing emails. The model communication by Shannon and Weaver explains communication as follows:
A sender, a message, a channel and a receiver. The model argues that when a sender sends a message/statement, the chosen medium shapes the message and how the receiver receives it.
On the other hand, depending on emails to communicate has caused misunderstanding among many people. Michael Morris has identified three main problems that cause this misunderstanding: Firstly, emails lack signs, facial expression and tone of voice, making it difficult for the receiver to decode the meaning of the email and which might make stress between the recipients. Secondly, the prospect of direct communication creates an urgency that pressures the emailer to write and think quickly and send an email that that’s not fully efficient. Finally, the failure to develop a personal relationship, which causes many connections to face conflict. Shannon and Weaver argue that without adding the concept of tone to the theory, misunderstanding will continue. The theory argues that what shapes an email to the receiver is the tone of voice and not the medium.
Social media and the internet have made work and work profit more flexible. “Remote working is the practice to complete normal daily work from outside the office.” Referring to the ”Social Media and Employment opportunities book, remote working was a great advantage. It allowed people with other responsibility but in need of a job like a single mother who has a child she needs to take care of. For shy and introverted people, remote working was a great chance for them to express their thoughts and show their abilities. Social media and the internet have created it easier for people with disabilities to work from outside office timings.
As an example, many features show how digital technology today changed remote working. Google Docs: this connects the entire office with an online word processor that allows individuals to create and format documents with other people from anywhere and any platform.
Dropbox: an app that allows users to access and share heavy files and links from anywhere and any platform. Trello: a free virtual organiser that shows individuals what work is completed, needs to be done and when. Trello can be accessed by multiple staff members and updated live.
Remote printing: means the facility to print documents at the office from home. The Self-Efficacy Theory defines an individual’s ability to produce designated performance levels is affected by their lives. Self-efficacy argues that how people feel, think, motivate themselves and behave control the quality of work they produce. The theory contends that remote working has benefited the nature of work and profit as people need to be emotionally and physically supported by a decent outcome.
However, working at home means distraction by personal life. If you have small children around, they may demand your attention. Or the TV may beg you to watch it for an hour or two. Without the filters that many workplaces put up, remote workers have constant access to time-wasting websites, personal emails, and social networks, affecting the work outcome. The theory also argues that the result could be affected by individual’s emotional status, environment and mood.
