Review of practice & policy strategies for managing digital communication and ICT use in Australian universities
Files
(Published version)
Date
2022
Authors
Potter, R.E.
Dollard, M.
Pignata, S.
Zadow, A.
Lushington, K.
Editors
Advisors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Type:
Journal article
Citation
Computers in Human Behavior Reports, 2022; 5(100160)
Statement of Responsibility
Conference Name
Abstract
This paper explores practices and policies for managing information communication technologies (ICTs) and ensuring healthy and productive work environments in higher education settings. This was informed by: (1) semi-structured interviews with 12 senior Human Resource and Wellbeing personnel recruited from 11 public Australian universities; and (2) a review of policy documents that address ICTs/digital communication sourced from 37 Australian public universities. Analyses revealed that ICT management involved balancing flexibility and boundaries and expectations around responsiveness. Findings from interview data revealed that to improve ICT management it is important to develop university guidance material, detangle the notion of responsibility, establish boundaries around expectations of responsivity, provide more education and develop positive working practices. Thematic analysis and subsequent quantification of 654 policy documents revealed gaps in the university policy context on the topic of digital communication. The largest proportion of policies focused on privacy and security, followed by media representation of the university (e.g., throughout branding), then bullying, harassment and discrimination. We make recommendations for policy and practice improvement. It would be beneficial for future research to assess the impact of enacted digital communication management strategies (e.g., policy interventions) on worker wellbeing and work practice outcomes.
School/Discipline
Dissertation Note
Provenance
Description
Data source: Australian University Staff Work, E-Stress and Wellbeing survey dataset, CC BY 4.0, https://researchoutputs.unisa.edu.au/11541.1/1fe9ecdf-7791-4bef-8215-cdf849631531
Access Status
Rights
Copyright 2021 the authors. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/)