ABSTRACT
Business communication is influenced by the rapid development of information and communication technology. Traditionally, travel and face-to-face meetings have been recognized as the most effective ways of doing business, seeking out new markets, exchanging ideas and communicating with colleagues and customers alike. The significance of personal meetings is particularly observed higher up in the organizational hierarchy. Boden and Molotch (1994) quote research showing that some managers may spend up to half of their time in face-to-face contacts. The emphasis put on co-presence in business settings is in part due to the content of the information being exchanged. Business communication is often characterized by ambiguous information requiring complex discussions and understandings. More than any other medium, face-to-face meetings have been considered as having the capacity to transmit equivocal information and build a personal atmosphere, qualities judged important in these settings. Urry (2002) emphasizes the ability to access the other participants eyes, since eye contact enables the establishment of intimacy and trust, as well as fear, power and control. Co-presence also signals commitment – by travelling and meeting face-to-face one is investing time and money in the relationship. Thus, business meetings are multifunctional, they are arenas for decision making, executing procedures, building and strengthening friendship, judging commitment and so on (Urry 2002).
