E-Mail Privacy in the Workplace: A Boundary Regulation Perspective

Journal of Business Communication, Vol. 47(3), p. 266-294, 2010

Posted: 13 Feb 2018

See all articles by Jason Snyder

Jason Snyder

Central Connecticut State University

Date Written: 2010

Abstract

This study applied communication boundary management theory to examine employee responses to workplace e-mail monitoring. Specifically, a measure of perceived workplace e-mail privacy (PEP) was developed and fit to a model of antecedents and consequences. To accomplish this, the study used an online survey methodology to gather employee perceptions related to workplace e-mail monitoring. Results indicated that PEP is a two-dimensional construct capturing one’s proficiency at maintaining privacy and concerns about the organization’s ability to infringe on e-mail privacy. In support of the boundary management perspective, the data revealed that perceptions of workplace e-mail monitoring and PEP were related to the perceived quality of one’s workplace relationships, especially with top management.

Keywords: electronic mail, privacy, monitoring, surveillance, boundary management, workplace relationships

Suggested Citation

Snyder, Jason, E-Mail Privacy in the Workplace: A Boundary Regulation Perspective (2010). Journal of Business Communication, Vol. 47(3), p. 266-294, 2010, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3091118

Jason Snyder (Contact Author)

Central Connecticut State University ( email )

1615 Stanley Street
New Britian, CT 06050
United States

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