THE IMPACT OF DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES AND TOOLS ON BUSINESS COMMUNICATION IN CONTEMPORARY BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT

Abstract

This paper examines the impact of digital technologies and tools on business communication in the contemporary business environment through the prism of new communication channels. Every technological breakthrough throughout history has altered the way people communicate, beginning with the discovery of the printing press, telegraph, radio, and television. In the fifth industrial revolution and contemporary environment, business communication becomes increasingly focused on current digital technologies and tools. Traditional communication, which was inherently slow, is being phased out in favor of interactive and quick communication. Communication through modern digital technologies and tools has many benefits, but it also has some drawbacks, including the possibility of misunderstandings and conflict. This paper discusses the digital age’s key communication channels, including smart mobile phones, short messages (sms), multimedia messages (mms), voice mail, Viber, WhatsApp, iMessage, Skype, Google Hangouts, Slack, teleconferences, video conferences, e-mail, intranet, organizational social and professional networks, and various business communication applications. Besides from their essential characteristics and advantages, this paper highlights key limitations that should be considered in order to eliminate or lessen misunderstandings and conflict situations.