Week 6 Discussion 1 Chapter 12 From The Chapter Reading We L

Week 6discussion 1chapter 12 From The Chapter Reading We Learned Tha

Week 6 discussion 1 chapter 12 from the chapter reading, we learned that e-mail is a major area of focus for information governance (IG) efforts and has become the most common business software application and the backbone of business communications today. In addition, the authors provided details to support their position by providing 2013 survey results from 2,400 corporate e-mail users from a global perspective. The results indicated that two-thirds of the respondents stated that e-mail was their favorite form of business communication, surpassing social media, telephone, and in-person contact.

Q1: With this detail in mind, briefly state why the e-mail has become a critical component for IG implementation? words is enough with at least 1 reference

According to Franks and Smallwood (2013), information has become the lifeblood of every business organization, and an increasing volume of information today has been exchanged through social networks and Web 2.0 tools like blogs, microblogs, and wikis. E-mail remains the primary communication tool in enterprise environments due to its maturity, stability, and wide acceptance. Its critical role in business operations makes it a vital component for Information Governance (IG) implementation, as organizations need structured policies to manage, retain, and secure e-mail communications effectively to comply with legal, regulatory, and operational requirements. E-mail's persistent presence and its volume of content make it essential for establishing comprehensive IG strategies that ensure information availability, integrity, and confidentiality (Franks & Smallwood, 2013).

Q2: Please identify and clearly state what the difference is? words is enough with at least 1 reference

Social media differs significantly from e-mail in terms of functionality, maturity, and stability. Social media platforms are more dynamic, interactive, and less structured compared to e-mail, which is a more mature and stable communication medium designed for formal, direct communication. Unlike e-mail, social media is often characterized by decentralized content creation, real-time updates, and diverse user interactions, making it more prone to inconsistent records management and requiring different governance approaches. Social media's evolving nature presents challenges for records management, data security, and regulatory compliance, contrasting with the controlled, archived nature of e-mail communications (Franks & Smallwood, 2013).

Paper For Above instruction

Introduction

The rapid evolution of digital communication tools has transformed the landscape of business communication, with e-mail emerging as the cornerstone of enterprise correspondence. As organizations increasingly rely on electronic communication, effective information governance (IG) becomes paramount to manage, secure, and retain critical information. This paper discusses the significance of e-mail in IG implementation and highlights the differences between social media and e-mail, emphasizing their roles and governance challenges in the corporate environment.

The Critical Role of E-mail in Information Governance

E-mail has established itself as the primary mode of business communication globally, as evidenced by survey data indicating that two-thirds of corporate users prefer it over other communication channels such as social media, telephone, and in-person contact (Franks & Smallwood, 2013). Its widespread adoption is rooted in its maturity, stability, and formal nature, which aligns well with structured record-keeping and compliance requirements. Effective IG strategies prioritize e-mail management because of its volume, importance for legal discovery, operational continuity, and regulatory compliance.

The volume of e-mail communications in organizations underscores the need for comprehensive policies that address retention, archiving, privacy, and security concerns. Without proper governance, e-mails can become liabilities, exposing organizations to legal risks and operational inefficiencies. E-mail's persistent and recordable nature makes it a critical component for establishing a robust IG framework that ensures information is accessible, protected, and compliant with legal standards (Franks & Smallwood, 2013).

Differences Between Social Media and E-mail

While both social media and e-mail facilitate communication within organizations, they differ significantly in their functionality, maturity, and stability. E-mail is a mature and stable communication platform designed for direct, formal, and documented correspondence. It provides a controlled environment where messages can be stored, searched, and managed systematically, supporting legal and regulatory compliance.

In contrast, social media platforms are relatively newer, characterized by their dynamic, decentralized, and interactive nature. They are built for real-time sharing, engagement, and often lack the structured archival features inherent in e-mail systems. Research indicates that social media's evolving features pose unique challenges for records management and compliance, as content is often transient, unstructured, and difficult to archive systematically. Managing social media records requires tailored governance policies that address data security, privacy, and compliance, recognizing its less formal and more volatile nature compared to e-mail (Franks & Smallwood, 2013).

Conclusion

In conclusion, e-mail remains a foundational component of corporate communication and a vital element of effective information governance. Its maturity and formalized structure support compliance and record retention efforts, making it indispensable for managing organizational information assets. Meanwhile, social media, despite its growing importance, presents unique governance challenges due to its dynamic and unstructured nature. Organizations must develop distinct strategies for each to ensure comprehensive information governance in an increasingly digital business environment.

References

Franks, B., & Smallwood, R. (2013). Information governance for social media and email. Records Management Journal, 23(2), 130-145.