Written reflection on organizational communication
ZOLANSKII
L8OrganizationalCommunicationclass.pptAdvocating Effectively in Organizations
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Traditional Approach. . .
Organization as Machine
What are the implications of viewing an organization as a machine?
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Traditional Organizations (Weber & Taylor, early 1900s)
- “Tall” organizational structure/hierarchy
- Centralized decision-making and control
- Employees with specialized skills
- Formal communication restricted to chain of command, with written messages preferred over oral to ensure a “paper trail”
- Reliance upon extrinsic rewards & punishments
Features of the Traditional Approach . .
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How Does One Advocate Effectively in a Traditional Approach?
- Communicate through ___________________
- Understand: Tall organization + specialization + fear/ambition = ______________ of messages
- Understand ________________
Systems Theory
Organization as an Organism
What are the implications of viewing an organization as an organism?
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Features of the Systems Approach . . .
- Systems Approach (Von Bertalanffy, General System Theory, 1968):
Nonsummativity
Butterfly Effect
Systemic nature of causes
Adaptation
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How Does One Advocate Effectively in a Systems Approach?
- Recognize that you are one piece of a larger system, but a _______________________one
- Recognize ______________________when things go wrong
- ___________ communication
Relational Approach
Organization as Family
What are the implications of viewing an organization as a family?
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Relational Organizations (McGregor’s Theory Y, 1960):
- Decentralized decision-making/PDM
- Informal communication
- Transactional leadership
- Employee satisfaction
- Intrinsic motivation
Features of the Relational Approach . . .
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How Does One Advocate Effectively in a Relational Approach?
- Be willing and ready to ________________with all
- Recognize that not all _______________PDM
- Recognize that not all ____________PDM
Cultural Approach
Organization as Culture
What are the implications of viewing an organization as a culture?
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Features of the Cultural Approach . . .
- Cultural Approach (Peters and Waterman, In Search of Excellence, 1982):
Emphasis on ________________ with the organization, internalized norms & values
Values symbolism, storytelling
Values rites & rituals
Transformational leadership
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How Does One Advocate Effectively in a Cultural Approach?
- Identify with the values of the organization that fit for you; recognize the __________________ of self and others
- Look for _______________ from leader
- Be willing to __________________
New influences on organizations . . .
- Newer organizational forms (e.g., Network organizations, Virtual organizations)
- The impact of technology and globalization
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How Does One Advocate Effectively in a Networks and Virtual Organizations?
- Understand & adapt to other cultures
- Choose the right communication channel (channel-rich vs. channel-lean)
- Recognize the “public” nature of virtual communication
- Understand effective teamwork
