Journal of Business and Technical Communication Jul 2006

Reconceptualizing E-Mail Overload

Gail Fann Thomas ; Cynthia L. King ; Brian Baroni ; Linda Cook ; Marian Keitelman ; Steve Miller ; Adelia Wardle

Abstract

This study explores social processes associated with e-mail overload, drawing on Sproull and Kiesler's first and second-order effects of communication technologies and Boden's theory of lamination. In a three-part study, the authors examined e-mail interactions from a government organization by logging e-mails, submitting an e-mail string to close textual analysis, and analyzing focus group data about e-mail overload. The results reveal three characteristics that contribute to e-mail overload— unstable requests, pressures to respond, and the delegation of tasks and shifting interactants—suggesting that e-mail talk, as social interaction, may both create and affect overload.

Journal
Journal of Business and Technical Communication
Published
2006-07-01
DOI
10.1177/1050651906287253
Topics
multilingual writers affect and writing

Citation Context

Cited by in this index (1)

  1. Ruppel et al. (2013)
    Using Communication Choices as a Boundary-Management Strategy
    Journal of Business and Technical Communication

Cites in this index (3)

  1. Zucchermaglio et al. (2003)
    The Development of a Virtual Community of Practices Using Electronic Mail and C…
    Journal of Business and Technical Communication
  2. Dawley et al. (2003)
    User Perceptions of E-Mail at Work
    Journal of Business and Technical Communication
  3. FERRARA et al. (1991)
    Interactive Written Discourse as an Emergent Register
    Written Communication
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CrossRef global citation count: 53 View in citation network →

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