Tar EVRYone en kaffe med teknologin?

Sammanfattning: In the past years, Information- and Communication Technologies have expanded, and many organizations are following the growing trend of embracing new technological innovations. This has resulted in the digital world becoming increasingly important, yet problematic for organizations' communications. We have chosen to focus the study on the outcome of the fusion of social media and the traditional intranet, in other words the social intranet. Organizations can use social intranets as an internal communications channel. The study explores and creates a deeper understanding of employee communication, the social intranet and its function as an internal communications channel. A qualitative approach has been chosen as the method of gathering data. Empirical data was collected through semi-structured interviews, based on 13 employees from the company EVRY. The study has been limited to EVRY’s two companies EVRY One and EVRY One Graphics. The theoretical framework of the study consists of the theory of Communities of Practise, of "Sociomateriality" and of The Technology Acceptance Model. These theories deal with informal communication, relationships and attitudes towards technology. In the study we present problems, and the limitations associated with social intranets. Our conclusion is that the social intranet can serve as part of an organization’s communications channels. However, in order for it to function properly within the organization, employees' attitudes towards, and relationship with the social intranet, are important aspects for the organization to consider, as these factors indirectly affect internal communications. One aspect that affects the internal communication and the ability to exchange knowledge is internal competition within EVRY. In addition, the social intranet is not a universal solution for organizations’ internal communications as it, in a way, breaks up the natural conversations that take place face-to-face between co-workers. Rather, it should be seen as a complement to other informal communication efforts.