With the advent of the Internet technology, the computer-based communication technologies are increasingly applied to communication. The new technologies including instant messaging and wikis exert favorable and adverse effects in diverse scopes, especially business. Business and trading are negotiated through Internet so that business now enjoy far more convenience and efficiency than in the past. However, there is no consensus in whether instant messaging, wikis or other communication technologies leave positive or negative influences as meanwhile firms are also plagued with many troubles, such as validity and hackers. This paper aims to define I.M. and wikis and evaluate both the advantages and disadvantages in the field of business. Controlling of access and establishing relevant law to rule the accuracy and legality can improve the negative sides of I.M. and wikis.
2. Definition
Computer-based commuication technologies are tools that allow employers and employees contact with others wherever the users are. In this report, new communication technologies refer to communication tools based on the internet such as instant messaging and wikis which are popular in enterprises. Instant messaging, also known as I.M., is a form of real-time communication between two or more people based on typed text (Avrahami & Hudson 2006, p.505). Wikis are “the free websites which users can express opinions and cooperate with others, using a simplified markup language” (Frenando 2007, p.12). In business, the main users of I.M. and wikis are employers and workers.
3. Advantages and Disadvantages of I.M. 1). Merits of I.M.
Instant messaging makes significant contributions to support effective communication in business both in saving money, time and distance and enhancing the efficiency of work. To begin with, instant messaging becomes an essential platform for platform for employees and clients to communicate rather than telephone and email. Specifically,