Internal communication through intranet to the operative employees - case Finnair pilots
Wahlroos, Lotta (2017)
Haaga-Helia ammattikorkeakoulu
2017
All rights reserved
Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-201801261664
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-201801261664
Tiivistelmä
This study investigates internal communication to mobile workers through internal communication channel intranet taking special focus on the internal communication to the employee group of pilots of the Finnish airline Finnair.
The key characteristic of pilots’ work is mobility: for pilots to perform their job, it is required for them to change locations. This creates various challenges for internal communication. As mobile work is an increasing phenomenon, it makes this thesis interesting also in a larger working life scope.
The aim of this thesis is to find suggestions and solutions to how to enhance the communication with the pilots through intranet and how to activate the pilots to use intranet more. This is done by investigating the literature and themes around mobile work and internal communication and analyzing the results of empirical research conducted among the employee group of pilots. This research was conducted at the time when the company was transferring internal communication from the old intranet platform to the new, modern intranet platform.
This thesis begins with introducing the case company, the research objectives and research questions. After that, a thorough view of the literature concerning mobile work, internal communication, change management and Technology Acceptance Model is presented. After explaining the case study, conducted digital survey and arranged World Café workshop method as the research methodology, the findings of conducted research is showcased. Finally, conclusions and development ideas are proposed and areas of future research are suggested.
The key challenge in internal communication through intranet to the pilots is reaching the pilots. The mobile character of pilots’ work creates difficulties for internal communications in accessing the company’s intranet both technology wise and timewise: intranet might not be accessible all around the world and as there is low possibility to access the intranet during work hours, pilots are required to use their own free time to familiarise their selves to company’s internal communication in intranet. In addition to an employee to have a smooth access to intranet, intranet itself should be easy to use. Also, the variety of different digital tools used in the company and the unclear roles of these tools can cause resistance towards the digital tools in general.
In addition to these technical aspects, content of the intranet should be relevant and interesting to its users for them to experience the intranet useful.
To overcome the challenges in accessibility and the ease of use of intranet, new technical solutions are required. More training of intranet usage should be provided to pilots in order to enhance the perceived ease of use and usability of the intranet. The variety of digital tools should be aligned and the roles and purposes of the tools should be communicated clearly. Content enhancement should be made to make intranet more appealing and useful to its users. In the event of change, change management and change communication should be executed with care to enable smooth and permanent transition.
The key characteristic of pilots’ work is mobility: for pilots to perform their job, it is required for them to change locations. This creates various challenges for internal communication. As mobile work is an increasing phenomenon, it makes this thesis interesting also in a larger working life scope.
The aim of this thesis is to find suggestions and solutions to how to enhance the communication with the pilots through intranet and how to activate the pilots to use intranet more. This is done by investigating the literature and themes around mobile work and internal communication and analyzing the results of empirical research conducted among the employee group of pilots. This research was conducted at the time when the company was transferring internal communication from the old intranet platform to the new, modern intranet platform.
This thesis begins with introducing the case company, the research objectives and research questions. After that, a thorough view of the literature concerning mobile work, internal communication, change management and Technology Acceptance Model is presented. After explaining the case study, conducted digital survey and arranged World Café workshop method as the research methodology, the findings of conducted research is showcased. Finally, conclusions and development ideas are proposed and areas of future research are suggested.
The key challenge in internal communication through intranet to the pilots is reaching the pilots. The mobile character of pilots’ work creates difficulties for internal communications in accessing the company’s intranet both technology wise and timewise: intranet might not be accessible all around the world and as there is low possibility to access the intranet during work hours, pilots are required to use their own free time to familiarise their selves to company’s internal communication in intranet. In addition to an employee to have a smooth access to intranet, intranet itself should be easy to use. Also, the variety of different digital tools used in the company and the unclear roles of these tools can cause resistance towards the digital tools in general.
In addition to these technical aspects, content of the intranet should be relevant and interesting to its users for them to experience the intranet useful.
To overcome the challenges in accessibility and the ease of use of intranet, new technical solutions are required. More training of intranet usage should be provided to pilots in order to enhance the perceived ease of use and usability of the intranet. The variety of digital tools should be aligned and the roles and purposes of the tools should be communicated clearly. Content enhancement should be made to make intranet more appealing and useful to its users. In the event of change, change management and change communication should be executed with care to enable smooth and permanent transition.