UNIT ONE

Theoretical Foundations
CHAPTER ONE
Introduction to
Organizational Constructs

Preface
According to Modaff & DeWine, organizational life
is characterized by what?
misunderstandings

What are the Textbook Assumptions?

Previous course in communication
Purpose of course is to familiarize students with the

basic elements of the field of organizational

communication.
Students will cover methodological and philosophical
orientations in more depth in an advanced course (COM
525)

Preface
What the textbook is NOT about . . .
External organizational communication (public relations)
Macro-organizational communication (organizational memory,

lifespan)

What the textbook IS about . . .

Internal communication
Organizing issues (organizational behavior level)
Introduce basic concepts
Foundations of the discipline
Current state of theory and practice
Deal with misunderstandings
Central organizing feature of textbook: MISUNDERSTANDINGS

Textbook Layout
Part One: Foundations

Chapter 1:
Chapter 2:
Chapter 3:
Chapter 4:

Introduction (ethics & diversity)

Classical Management Theories (prescriptive)
Human Relations & Human Resource Theories
Systems Theory - Learning Organizations
(analytical framework)
Chapter 5: Organizational Culture & Critical Theories
Chapter 6: The Communicative Organization
Misunderstanding will occur - organizations should be prepared.
Can misunderstandings be resolved?
Does organization need to learn to live with the issues?

Part Two: Challenges &

Misunderstandings
ORGANIZATIONAL CHALLENGES
Chapter 7: Realistic Recruitment
Chapter 8: Socialization of Organizational Members
Chapter 9: Conflict in the Organization
RELATIONAL CHALLENGES
Chapter 10: Supervisor/Subordinate Communication
Chapter 11: Peer and Co-worker Communication
Chapter 12: Team Communication
Chapter 13: Impact of Technology on Communication

Chapter One: Introduction

PREVIEW
Define the Study and Practice of Organizational
Communication
Establish the Prevalence of Misunderstandings
Discuss the Changing Nature of Organizations
Present the Realities of a Diverse Workforce
Identify Ethical Organizational Frameworks
Introduction of Three Important Constructs
Organizational Identification
Job Satisfaction
Communication Satisfaction

Organizational Communication
DEFINED
Organizational Communication Definitions - Handout
Communication is the basis for the way in which an organization
functions
Communication plays a critical role in most every aspect of
organizational life
A business is a group of people organized around a common goal
Organization - Greek origins
Organon - tool or instrument
Communication is both the means by which the tool or instrument (the

organization) is created and sustained and the prime coordinating

mechanism for activity designed to attain personal and organizational
goals.

Organizational Communication
DEFINED
the process of creating, exchanging, interpreting
(correctly or incorrectly), and storing messages
within a system of human interrelationships.
the exchange of oral, nonverbal, and written
messages within (and across the boundaries of) a
system of interrelated and interdependent people
working to accomplish common tasks and goals
within an organization.
MESSAGE-CENTERED DEFINITION

Messages
nonrandom verbal symbolizations.
a use of language (written or spoken)
that the recipient interprets as having been
created intentionally.

Assumptions and Features of

Organizational Communication
Communication is central to the existence of the
organization
Organizational communication is a complex
process (creating, exchanging, interpreting, and
storing messages)
Misunderstandings occur

Sample Research Topics in

Organizational Communication

Information Dissemination / Message Flow

Relationship Creation, Maintenance, and Termination
Process of Organizing
Message Privilege and Power
Optimal Information (overload, underload)
Effective Channels
Impact of Technology
Workplace Democracy
Influence of Organizational Structure
Team Interaction
Organizational Culture

Common Themes in
Organizational Communication
The use of language as a symbolic means of
inducing cooperation in beings that by nature
respond to symbols, constitutes our disciplinary
foundation . . . A concern with collective action,
agency, messages, symbols, and discourse.
Mumby & Stohl
How messages are sent and understood through
the use of language, forms the basis of
communication in general and organizational
communication specifically.

Organizational Communication:
Whats in it for You?
Better equipped to address contemporary
workplace issues.

Development of a temporary workforce

Implementation of teams
Adoption of new technologies
Multiculturalism

Trained to focus on the complex and

collaborative nature of communicating,
organizing and knowing.

Organizational Communication:
Whats in it for You?
More articulate about ideas.
Understand the task of organizing
individuals, groups, projects, and thoughts.
Knowing/Learning how to learn.

Prevalence of
Misunderstandings

Paradigms
More levels of hierarchy
More work teams with more members
Cultural, age, sex, gender, religious, and value
differences
Power struggles
Sub- and counter organizational cultures
Competition for scarce resources
Impersonal communication media

Impersonal Communication Media

Misunderstandings
Instances in which people who are communicating
dont share meanings as well as situations in
which features of organizational life serve to
impinge upon the efficient and effective
functioning of organizational members.
Highlights the central nature of communication.
Case study example: page 7.

Changing Nature of Organizations

Shift from . . .
hierarchical (tall) to decentralized (flat)
structures
climate of authority (control) to climate of
coaching (support through performance
feedback)
analog to digital (computerized information
technology)
regional or national competition to global
competition

Realities of Diverse Workforce

Diversity in the workplace encompasses
a variety of personal and social bases of
identity, including race-ethnicity, gender,
age, socio-economic status, and country
of origin.
Brenda Allen
Diversity must be seen as a positive
characteristic of the work environment

Ethical Frameworks and

Organizational Communication
Must be defined within the unique culture
of a particular organizational
environment. (???)
There is something inherently present in
any modern organization that facilitates
unethical or immoral conduct
W. Charles Redding

Kreps Ethical Guidelines

Organization members should not intentionally
deceive one another. (Trust)
Organization members communication should
not purposely harm any other organization
member or members of the organizations
relevant environment. (Do No Harm)
Organization members should be treated justly
(Justice)

Cheney & Tompkins

Four Guidelines for Ethical Behavior
Guardedness - critically assess messages
Accessibility - be open to new ideas
Nonviolence - consider multiple options
Empathy - genuinely listen and respect

Three Important Constructs

Organizational Identification (process & product)
An active process by which individuals link themselves to

elements (people, policies, products, services, customers,

values) in the social scene.
Involves an individuals sense of membership in and
connection with an organization.

Job Satisfaction
The degree to which employees feel fulfilled by their job and

related experiences.
A pleasurable or positive emotional state from the appraisal of
ones job or experiences
Linked to absenteeism and turnover

Communication Satisfaction
The degree to which employees feel that communication is

appropriate and satisfies their need for information and work

relationships

Communication Satisfaction (CSQ)

Overall degree of satisfaction an employee perceived in his [sic]
total communication environment.
Eight Factors concerned with communication information,
relationships, channels, and climate

Communication Climate
Relationship to Superiors
Organizational Integration
Media Quality
Horizontal and Informal Communication
Organizational Perspective
Relationship with Subordinates
Personal Feedback

Communication satisfaction is often considered the sum of an

individuals satsifaction with the above dimensions.

Summary
Define the Study and Practice of Organizational
Communication
Establish the Prevalence of Misunderstandings
Discuss the Changing Nature of Organizations
Present the Realities of a Diverse Workforce
Identify Ethical Organizational Frameworks
Introduction of Three Important Constructs
Organizational Identification
Job Satisfaction
Communication Satisfaction

Summary
Organizational communication is the process of creating, exchanging,
interpreting (correctly or incorrectly), and storing messages within a
system of human interrelationships.
The study of organizational communication helps people understand
and appreciate communication as the central process in the
organization.
Goal is to reduce misunderstandings through communication.
For Thursday, Read Chapter 2 (Classical Theories of Organizations)
Taylors Theory of Scientific Management
Fayols Administrative Theory
Webers Theory of Bureaucracy