M1 - Intro to Organizational Comm

Question 1

Functional Organizational Analysis

Answer 1

Why and how communication works

• Operational aspects of authority
• Comm channels and flow
• Messages have task functions and relational functions
• Associated with management and emphasis on position
• Individualism is discouraged

(Klimowicz (2008) Theoretical Perspectives)

Question 2

Interpretive Organizational Analysis

Answer 2

focuses on understanding communication from an individual’s point of view

> Meaning or symbolic significance of structures, positions, comms.
Asks what comm is and what it means. >Organizational culture, how people feel about the org (comm climate)
People “enact” organizations

(Klimowicz (2008) Theoretical Perspectives)

Question 3

Critical Organizational Analysis

Answer 3

focuses on how communication is used to achieve, control, and manipulate power

> Uses comm to express and maintain power structures, authority and comm channels
Individual freedom and creativity over conformity
Opposition to existing power structures brings about change
Balanced system of rewards for all stakeholders

(Klimowicz (2008) Theoretical Perspectives)

Question 4

Metaphors of organization

Answer 4

• Machine
• Organism
• Brain
• Culture
• Political systems
• Psychic prisons
• Flux and transformation
• Instruments of domination

(Klimowicz (2008) Theoretical Perspectives)

Question 5

The Dialogic Self

Answer 5

The self is made in concert with others. We share meanings and construct a mutual interpretation.

(Klimowicz (2008) Theoretical Perspectives)

Question 6

Five principles of organizational comm

Answer 6

1) Communication is the fundamental process of organizing
2) Understanding organizational communication helps us understand how organizations work
3) Communication skills are the basis for effective leadership in organizations
4) Communication is key to sound decision making within organizations
5) Diversity characterizes contemporary organizations

(Klimowicz (2008) Theoretical Perspectives)

Question 7

Emerging Approaches

Answer 7

Concerned with equality, equity, social responsibility and participation.

Question 8

Vision

Answer 8

A specified goal that indicates peak performance

Question 9

Mission

Answer 9

Overall operating purpose

Question 10

Values

Answer 10

Establish values in carrying out activities

Question 11

Strategic Goals

Answer 11

Steps along the way to mission accomplishment

Question 12

Operating processes

Answer 12

Repetitive activities for achieving objectives

Question 13

Systems

Answer 13

integrated collections of objects or people operating within the overall organizational system

Question 14

Span of control

Answer 14

The number of employees reporting to a superior

Question 15

Authority

Answer 15

The degree of power of a formal position

Question 16

Delegation

Answer 16

Assigning tasks to subordinates

Question 17

Chain of command

Answer 17

formal lines of authority

Question 18

Accountability

Answer 18

responsibility for the outcome of operational activity

Question 19

Centralization / decentralization

Answer 19

the extent to which control of operation is dispersed throughout the organization

Question 20

formalization

Answer 20

the extent of policies and procedures in an organization

Question 21

Hierarchy

Answer 21

The number of levels of authority

Question 22

Routinization

Answer 22

The amount of standardization of processes

Question 23

Training

Answer 23

activities that equip members with knowledge and skills

Question 24

Eisenberg and Goodhall def of Organizational Comm

Answer 24

The interaction required to direct a group toward a set of common goals

Question 25

Four approaches to defining organizational comm (Eisenberg and Goodhall)

Answer 25

1) Comm as info transfer
2) Comm as transactional process
3) comm as strategic control
4) Comm as a balance of creativity and constraint