TY - JOUR
T1 - Improving media richness theory
T2 - A Study of Interaction Goals, Message Valence, and Task Complexity in Manager-Subordinate Communication
AU - Sheer, Vivian C.
AU - Chen, Ling
N1 - Copyright:
Copyright 2016 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.
PY - 2004/8
Y1 - 2004/8
N2 - Media richness theory predicts that managers, driven by the instrumental goal of task efficiency, choose media based on the match up of message equivocality and media richness. This study proposes that relational and self-presentational goals are also relevant in manager-subordinate interactions, particularly when messages differ in valence, and investigated 107 managers in Hong Kong. Findings with respect to traditional media show (a)media richness theory holds when messages are positive, (b) self-presentational goals are the most powerful predictor of media choice when messages are negative, (c) relational goals have some impact on managers’ media choice, and (d) complexity is a sensitive predictor of media choice. Thus, media richness theory can be improved by incorporating a broader consideration of relevant interaction goals and the constructs of message valence and complexity.
AB - Media richness theory predicts that managers, driven by the instrumental goal of task efficiency, choose media based on the match up of message equivocality and media richness. This study proposes that relational and self-presentational goals are also relevant in manager-subordinate interactions, particularly when messages differ in valence, and investigated 107 managers in Hong Kong. Findings with respect to traditional media show (a)media richness theory holds when messages are positive, (b) self-presentational goals are the most powerful predictor of media choice when messages are negative, (c) relational goals have some impact on managers’ media choice, and (d) complexity is a sensitive predictor of media choice. Thus, media richness theory can be improved by incorporating a broader consideration of relevant interaction goals and the constructs of message valence and complexity.
KW - media richness theory
KW - communicative goals
KW - message valence
KW - task complexity
KW - manager-subordinate communication
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84990381022&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1177/0893318904265803
DO - 10.1177/0893318904265803
M3 - Journal article
AN - SCOPUS:84990381022
SN - 0893-3189
VL - 18
SP - 76
EP - 93
JO - Management Communication Quarterly
JF - Management Communication Quarterly
IS - 1
ER -