The Future of ICMT: Trends and Effects on Employees

Introduction: The Growing Connectedness of Organizations

Much can be said about the future of information and communication management technology (ICMT) and connectedness in the organizational setting. What is rather clear is that the degree of connectedness in organizations will continue to increase over the coming years. This is particularly the case in the U.S., following the government's announcement of a plan to make high-speed wireless infrastructure available to 98% of Americans regardless of where they live and work (White House, 2011). The plan focuses on making more airwaves available so that smartphone users can access the internet easily for work, learning, and personal purposes (White House, 2011). If implemented, the internet will become more accessible and people more connected. In the organizational setting, employees will be better connected not only to their managers and supervisors, but also to one another.

This high degree of connectedness will affect employees both positively and negatively. On the positive side, employees are likely to become more productive and efficient. Greater connectedness allows them to easily seek clarifications from their supervisors and share crucial information with each other regardless of geographical location. This ensures that work continues even when a supervisor is not physically present. Moreover, employees can improve their knowledge base and skill sets by linking up virtually with mentors and experienced professionals in their respective fields, and by participating in online training programs.

Positive Effects of Increased Connectedness on Employees

On the other hand, a high degree of connectedness could reduce the frequency of face-to-face interactions in the organization, affecting social lives as well as levels of motivation and loyalty. When people interact heavily on virtual platforms, they reduce the time spent interacting physically (Gray, 2012). A supervisor may find it more convenient to send an email than to summon an employee to their office and deliver instructions in person. Virtual interactions may not yield the same relational satisfaction and motivation as physical meetings.

Negative Effects and the Risk of Reduced Face-to-Face Interaction

If such tendencies are left unchecked, employees could begin to lose touch with their managers, and this could negatively affect their loyalty and commitment to the organization. To prevent this, employees should take the initiative to ensure that computer-mediated communication does not entirely replace face-to-face communication. Rather, the two should be used to complement each other.

There are a number of significant trends facing organizations in relation to ICMT. The first is the movement toward green ICT. As the business environment becomes more connected, more people will demand smartphones and other mobile devices. The manufacture and use of these devices requires substantial energy. Moreover, these devices release greenhouse gases when in use — it is estimated, for instance, that a single PC releases a ton of carbon dioxide into the environment every year (Saha, 2014). If more devices are manufactured to meet growing demand, the environmental damage can be expected to intensify. With governments and consumers increasingly aware of this fact, organizations have been compelled to adopt green ICT practices and power management technologies.

Conclusion

These are the major trends shaping the ICMT sector in the U.S. currently. Organizations have significant opportunities to capitalize on these developments and increase their future profitability.