Abstract
Purpose. The purpose of this descriptive study was to determine the degree to which communication satisfaction with electronic mail communication differed between and among selected elementary teachers and principals in Sonoma County as moderated by their gender and self-perceived cultural identity. Methodology. This study utilized a descriptive approach along with a combination of case study and correlational research methods to answer its four research questions. The population consisted of teachers and principals of ten Sonoma County elementary schools selected by the researcher because of the use of electronic mail communication among their teachers and principals. A survey consisting of four parts was used to collect data. Both descriptive and inferential parametric statistics were used to analyze the data. Comments from the respondents were collected and discussed as well. Findings. The researcher failed to find a relationship between communication satisfaction and gender, cultural identity, or role using electronic mail. The population sampled had a tendency toward being satisfied with electronic mail. The only significant relationship that appeared was between communication satisfaction and electronic mail usage. Those that used electronic mail regularly were satisfied with it. Trends emerged in the comments from those who were satisfied with electronic mail as well as those dissatisfied. The satisfied comments tended toward expression of convenience and increased communication. Three trends emerged from the dissatisfied comments. Those trends were dissatisfaction with the reliability and maintenance of the electronic mail infrastructure, complaints about the impersonal nature of electronic mail, inappropriate communication, and expressions of lack of time for communicating in this manner. Conclusions and recommendations. Usage of electronic mail by teachers and principals correlated with their satisfaction. Teachers and principals sought convenience and increased communication with electronic mail and grew frustrated with infrastructure issues and lack of time for its use. It is recommended that schools have a functioning electronic mail infrastructure with sufficient technical support in order to foster communication satisfaction with its use. In order to eliminate inappropriate communication, school staff should agree upon some explicit norms for the use of electronic mail. Finally, administrators should not lose sight of a personal connection with their staff members.