Midterm 2 - Chapter 10

Question 1

Communication Competence

Answer 1

The ability of communicators to encode and interpret messages. Emotion and emotional intelligence is also relevant to ones competence

Question 2

Information Richness

Answer 2

The amount of depth of the information transmitted in a message. The appropriate level of richness depends on the purpose of the communication and the complexity of the task. The greater the complexity of the work, the more likely the benefits of information richness will outweigh its cost

Question 3

Vertical Channel

Answer 3

Vertical channels, information flowing along lines of authority and reporting relationship

Question 4

Horizontal Channel

Answer 4

Horizontal channels, with information flowing between people who work at the same level with the organization but in different functional areas

Question 5

Downward Communication (top-down)

Answer 5

Used to relay directives, decisions, plans, goals and instructions to their subordinates in the hierarchy. Often used to increase level of consistency within the organization. Used when evaluating subordinates’ job performance. Can be overwhelming and is slow

Question 6

Upward Communication (down-up)

Answer 6

Can undermine the effectiveness of this approach. Often risk associated with sending messages to superior. Can be politically motivated and used as an influence tactic

Question 7

Horizontal Communication

Answer 7

Used to coordinate effort, solve problems, share information, resolve conflicts. Effectiveness is linked to how well members are able to work togehter

Question 8

All-Channel Network Structure

Answer 8

A communication network in which any member can send and receive messages from any other

Question 9

Circle Network Structure

Answer 9

A communication network in which members send and receive messages from individual who are immediately adjacent to them. Information can be distorted at any time. Structure doesnt allow checking with others that arent adjacent

Question 10

Chain Network Structure

Answer 10

A communication network in which information is passed from member to member, form one end to the other. The receiver is completely dependent on the adjacent person for information. Effectiveness depends on the nature of the task being performed by the team

Question 11

Y-Network Structure

Answer 11

A communication network in which one member controls the flow of the information between one set of members and another

Question 12

Wheel Network Structure

Answer 12

A communication network in which all communication between member is controlled by a single member

Question 13

Informal Communication Network

Answer 13

Spontaneous and emergent patterns of communication that result from the choices individuals make on their own. Rather than being designated by managers, these networks are rooted in friendship, physical proximity and shared interest

Question 14

Grapevine

Answer 14

The primary informal communication within an organization. Messages travel freely

Question 15

Supervisor Feedback

Answer 15

A form of downward communication which the supervisor provides information to a subordinate about their job performance. Weak positive correlation to job performance, depends on nature and source of the feedback and complexity of task. Strong positive correlation to organizational commitment - stronger for affective and normative, weaker for continuance