Communication systems have improved communication but also created issues. They make it hard to convey feelings without body language or context. Messages can be misinterpreted or accessed privately without authorization. The ease of messaging also leads to information overload as people expect immediate responses. The internet raises issues like how to regulate content and tax cross-border trading given the lack of physical stores. It also changes how people receive media and do banking or work remotely.

1. Communication Systems
3.5) Issues Related to
Communication Systems

2. • Messaging systems have improved
communication, however they have raised
a number of issues.
• Social context – messages have difficulty
conveying feeling
• Misinterpretation – body language,
inflection and intonation and context are
not available to filter messages
• Power relationships – an organisational
structure could fail if messaging changes
traditional routes

3. • Privacy – Messages can be stored and
accessed by unauthourised people.
• Electronic junk mail – unwanted message
can use up time and filtering them can
often lead to the missing of important
messages.
• Information overload – the ease of
current messaging systems means that
there is a greater volume of information
to deal with and people also expect
immediate answers to emails, texts and
voicemails.

4. • There are also many issues related to the
use of the Internet.
• Internet trading raises many implications
including:
• taxation – hard to police across the
‘Net’.
• employment – fewer shop fronts and
less employees
• the nature of business – 24/7 trading &
home shopping
• trade barriers – these barriers become
more irrelevant

5. • Censorship – there is an argument
between the banning of content that
contravenes a countries’ laws vs the
freedom of the Internet.
• Many unsuccessful attempts have
been made to regulate Internet
content. Too hard to police.
• Internet banking – Provides 24/7 home
banking services
• This leads to a change in the staffing of
banks, including job losses and branch
closures.

6. • Radio and television – the way we
receive content is changing with radio
accessible via the Internet and catch-up
TV and streaming video services now
providing more and more video content.
• A lot of people now do some or all of their
work from home via communication
systems.
• This is known as telecommuting.

7. • Advantages:
• greater flexibility in work hours
• saving money on transport, food and
clothing
• beneficial to people with a disability
• helps families with small children
• employer save on overheads, such as
building space and furniture

8. • Disadvantages:
• less social and professional contact
• some people feel isolated and lonely
• can blur the distinction between work
and home
• the costs of secure connections and
equipment