Introduction to the Special Issue on Instant Messaging in the Workplace

Instant messaging (IM) in the workplace has become an important topic for research as IM applications have proliferated in the corporate context. However, much of the work done to date has examined IM use from the consumer perspective, leaving us with little guidance as to its use in the office. This special issue addresses this shortcoming in the literature, providing several important studies on workplace IM use. One paper examines the use of IM in resolving differing points of view among coworkers. Another paper studies workplace communications costs and the role IM has in contributing to them by increasing communication volume. Two papers in the issue examine workplace IM in an international context, considering both cross-cultural and demographic issues that impact IM use.