To examine the role IM plays, We focus on the factors that promote or hinder communication within a Korean organization when instant messenger is used. These factors were examined through two research questions. To understand these issues, a survey consisting of 33 categories was given to government and corporate office workers in Seoul, Korea. The survey results showed that Instant Messenger is recognized as a powerful communication tool in official organizations, but is only used effectively within groups or generations that do not follow the hierarchical relationships characterized by Confucian values. The results of this study fill a gap in our understanding of the important role of IM use in organizational effectiveness and may prove useful when developing tools and strategies to help promote communication within organizations using information technology media.