The impact of informal communication on the quality and productivity of digital collaborative work

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Working via databases has become an integral and necessary part of work in businesses. The availability of knowledge and information from any location contributes to better networking and more transparency in companies and enables collaborative work regardless of the location. In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020/21, physical distancing and digital work have become imperative for a greater number of people. This, in turn, can severely restrict both formal and informal means of communication, which can lead to rising cognitive job demands and decreasing productivity at work. Against this background, the question of whether and to what extent digital databases are able to guarantee effective task fulfilment without parallel communication has acquired new relevance. OBJECTIVE: The relationship between informal communication via four communication channels and a) the efficiency of work via databases and b) their necessity for the quality of work are investigated. METHODS: Employee surveys are evaluated in the form of cross-sectional data from three medium-sized German companies using econometric regression analyses. RESULTS: A clear relationship is revealed between informal communication and the effectiveness of work via databases as well as their necessity for work quality. The level of this relationship, however, varies depending on the type and purpose of informal communication. CONCLUSION: This article highlights the necessity of informal communication for digital collaborative work and hence has significant implications for business practice.