Define Information Richness and Provide an Example of a Situation

Question

Examlex · Accepted Answer

The Answer is Student answers and examples will vary but should demonstrate understanding of information richness. A sample answer follows.
A factor that influences the communication process is information richness, which is the amount and depth of information that gets transmitted in a message. Messages that are transmitted through face-to-face channels have the highest level of information richness because senders convey meaning both verbally through language and nonverbally through body language, facial expressions, and tone of voice. Face-to-face communication also achieves high information richness because it provides the opportunity for senders and receivers to receive feedback, which allows them to verify and ensure their messages are received and interpreted correctly. At the opposite end of the information richness spectrum are computer-generated reports that consist largely of numbers. Although these types of reports may include a lot of information, they are limited to information that is quantifiable, and there is an absence of additional cues that could provide context and meaning to the numbers.
A situation high in information richness is a departmental meeting where team members interact with each other face-to-face and can interact in real time by asking questions and requesting clarification when messages are unclear. A situation low in information richness is a warehouse manager reading an inventory report. The report offers information about the number of items in inventory, but does not necessarily convey any information about where those items are stored or how well organized the items are. A visit to the warehouse to observe these factors would increase the level of information richness vis-a-vis the report alone.

Define Information Richness and Provide an Example of a Situation

Definitions: