Direct and indirect communication

A company has offices in New York and London. They are considering using some form of video to supplement their existing email, fax and telephone communications.

(a) Discuss the options available and potential advantages and problems they may encounter.

(b) How would your advice be changed if the two offices were in London and Sydney Australia?

(c) Email and video are ‘just’ electronic substitutes for face-to-face conversation. What radically different forms of groupware might the company consider? Justify your answer using examples and appropriate theoretical frameworks.

1. Distinguish between direct and indirect communication. How can each be supported in groupware?

2. Identify three types of shared application. What are the main issues that need to be addressed in the design of these applications?

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