The human side of communication technology

A new study sponsored by Cambridge Judge Business School and Nokia (NYSE: NOK), shows that in today’s fast changing global world, maintaining productive, high morale teams relies heavily on companies’ investing in both the right mobile technology and rewarding collaborative behavior. The changing world of work with knowledge workers often working across distances and time zones requires business leaders to adopt a more participatory management style. The communications challenge is often akin to marshalling a 24/7 network of on-line volunteers.

A new study among 400 US/UK business leaders by Cambridge Judge Business School found that there is a clear link between company morale and how technology is used to collaborate at a work team and company level. Employees want to communicate – to be more productive, and have better relations with their peers.

Three quarters of those interviewed reported that their companies deploy collaborative technology to enable people to share information quickly and easily. Used effectively, mobile technology leads to highly collaborative workplaces and employees who feel empowered and productive.

• 86% say that interactions between themselves and others helps spark new ideas
• 82% say that people in other work locations support them in their work
• 75% say that when they need additional help they get the best person to help, wherever they are
• 74% say they would not be able to do their job if they couldn’t work with people outside of their own work team

These same business decision makers were also clear on the intangible benefits of mobile technologies, notably innovation, collaboration and communication. Mobile technologies are viewed as crucial in the new world of work with over 90% of business decision makers saying that technology was an important enabler of their company’s collaborative efforts and over half said technology was critical to collaboration. In fact, 74% claimed that technology made collaborative decisions easier to make and three fourths of the business leaders interviewed deploy collaborative technology that enables people to share information quickly and easily.

This collaborative momentum is built on an upward virtuous circle of collaboration and trust. Collaboration at a work team level builds trust and trust leads to greater levels of collaboration. Supported by the effective use of technology, the outcome is higher levels of personal and company morale. For instance, out of the business decision makers that were interviewed 80% claimed that having the mobile applications and devices they need has had a positive impact on their moral and 76% responded that having the right mobile applications and devices improved their company’s morale.

The key benefit that companies need to focus on in a successful IT spend is improved collaboration. The right types of technology can link people seamlessly, enhance collaboration, and spur innovation and enhanced company morale.