With technology advancing everyday, many companies are using new technology to their advantage. Some have begun using e-mail and web sites to get their information to their employees and external publics quicker. Building virtual communities can build strong communities. Another factor to consider when looking at a company's use of technology is whether or not the use of technology is dependent on employee status in the organizational structure. The structure of a company, its corporate culture, and organizational environment influence the use of informal and formal channels of communication.
Corporate culture is the way that a company operates.
It encompasses the philosophy, values, rites and rituals of the organization. How management and lower-level employees communicate is a facet of corporate culture. When companies are smaller, there are many things that can be discussed through word of mouth. However, when employees are in diverse locations while issues are instantaneous, memos and meetings are often times chosen over word of mouth communication. Given the importance of employee communication to organizations, it is vital that researchers study current employee communication patterns, analyze their strengths and weaknesses, and recommend ways of improving employee communications in a variety of organizations.