Organizational Communication

Agenda

• Organizational Communication– Business– Education

• Stand and Deliver – video/assignment

Organizational communication is…

the exchange of oral, nonverbal, and written messages among people working to accomplish common tasks and goals.

Why Organizational Theories?

• Organization of Tasks• Organization of Workers• Understanding Structure• Importance of Communication• Providing Explanation for Behavior

Organizational Culture

Foundational Worldview Base:• Values and Norms• Organizational Membership• Distinctive Patterns• Organizational Sense-Making• Stories, Myths, and Legends• Rites and Rituals

The Organizational Framework

• Values– Organizational

Beliefs– Establishing Values

• Focus Groups• Surveys• Consultants

– Vision and Mission Statements

• Communication Ethics– Social Responsibility– Complex Issue– Conflicting Guidelines– Consider Outcomes– Respect and Empathy– Open Communication

Classical Theory

• Scientific Management: Taylorism– Systematic Training and Development

– Worker’s Ability and Job Responsibilities– Harmony and Cooperation– Maximum Output– Worker’s Proficiency

Classical Theory

• Bureaucracy: Max Weber– Authority Structures vs. Control

• Charismatic authority of leader• Traditional authority

– history and norms

• Rational Legal Authority

– Rational Legal Authority: Basis of Bureaucracy• Power at the Top of the Hierarchy• Formalized Rules and Policies• Accepted and Expected Employee Behavior

Classical Theory

• Strengths– Beneficial for Larger Organizations– Defines Structure for Repetitive Tasks– Provides Rules and Regulations

• Weaknesses– Organizations as Machines– Impersonal View of Worker

Humanistic Theory• Human Relations Theory

– Hawthorne Studies– Supervisors’ Encouragement and

Praise– Informal Groups and Camaraderie

• Human Resources Approach

– Worker Motivation– Theory X and Theory Y

Human Resources Approach

• Theory X– Dislikes and avoids

work– Not motivated– Need to be controlled– Job security important

• Theory Y– Enjoys work– Seeks responsibility– Exercise self-control– Work for self-

satisfaction

Human Relations Theory

• Strengths– Considers Workers’ Needs– Recognizes Importance of Communication– Values Supervisor-Worker Relationships

• Weaknesses– Workers’ Productivity

Systems Theory

“It’s a systemic problem”

• Interdependency• Synergy• Environment

– Political– Economic– Social

• Environmental Inputs and Outputs• Open Systems• Closed Systems

Organizational Culture

• Politics/Government– Law Enforcement

• Health Care

• Education

• ?

• Business– Banking– Retail– Computers– Industry– ?

Organizational Culture

• Driven by purpose– Services

• For profit/products– Profit focus

• Not for profit/Services– Service focus

– Purpose attracts certain personalities

– The more diverse the business, the more diverse the personalities

Cultural Change

Change largely occurs under duress

• Paradigm shifts

• Civil unrest

• Employee / Union activity

Help vs. Hurt

• Organizational culture– Helpful

• Produces desired results

– Hurtful• Hampers desired results

– GE– Charles Ford Co. vs. new employees– Systemic problem

Education & Culture

• Enduring culture– VERY large system

• Worldview largely humanistic• Service driven/expectations

– Limited funding• Services and staff

– Unlimited expectations• Community & government

• Results in organizational attitude – Disability vs. Disorder/Uneducated educators

• My experience

Based on a true story, this inspiring American Playhouse production stars Edward James Olmos as a high school teacher who motivated a class full of East L.A. barrio kids to care enough about mathematics to pass an Advanced Placement Calculus Test. Not exactly a variation of To Sir, With Love, the film concerns itself with assumptions and biases held by mainstream authorities about disadvantaged kids, and Olmos's efforts to keep his students coolheaded enough to prove them wrong.

Stand and Deliver

End of presentation