1. What kind of communication would you say these apps would be?

2. What problems do you see with using an app for upward communication? For using an app for formal organization communication?

3. Do you have any concerns with the employees using their own cell phones or tablets to run the company apps? Why or why not?

Carla Jennison, head of Human Resources at a division of a hospital care corporation, found that e-mail and websites were not effective means of communicating with employees on HR issues. After exploring recommendations and products, Carla had decided the one most intriguing to her was by Katora, Inc., in which employees get a cell phone app that lets them learn about new benefits, receive benefit related news, and even manage and make changes to their benefits. For those employees who do not have phones that use apps or tablets, there is also a web-based option. The app was rolled out over a 6-month time frame at the 12 different hospitals during different trainings and events. After a year, about 87% of all employees have adopted the app and used it to get news and at least partially manage their benefits. It has been successful because it is easy and convenient to use along with getting the employees and the organization what they need. In fact, it has been successful enough that the company is planning to extend the use of the app nationwide. Moreover, Carla’s bosses are now looking for something more with additional apps such as getting employees’ input on what is going wrong, what is going right, and what can be done better. The questions get students thinking about how electronic organizational communications can help and hinder information flow and process.