Theoretical Foundations: Systems, Culture, and Power Chapter 3 Theoretical Foundations: Systems, Culture, and Power Zaremba/Organizational Communication, 3e, © 2010, by Oxford University Press, Inc.

Chapter Preview Explain systems theory Define key terms in the language of systems theory Explain cultural theory Explain the differences between functionalists and interpretivists Discuss critical theory and its key terms Discuss how to apply these theories to analyze organizational communication cases Zaremba/Organizational Communication, 3e, © 2010, by Oxford University Press, Inc.

Systems Theory Systems theorists argue that an organization must be viewed as a composite of interdependent units that must work cooperatively with one another to survive They should be viewed as open systems, which means that they must allow communication with both their internal and external environments to thrive Zaremba/Organizational Communication, 3e, © 2010, by Oxford University Press, Inc.

Systems Theory Terms Open and closed systems Hierarchical ordering Systems must allow input or resources from outside sources to survive Hierarchical ordering All systems are composed of subsystems that work within suprasystems Relevant environment The part of the external environment that is most relevant to the system’s environment Zaremba/Organizational Communication, 3e, © 2010, by Oxford University Press, Inc.

Systems Theory Terms Permeability: Input/output and throughput All systems must allow their boundaries to be permeable, meaning that they must allow for information flow between one subsystem and another and from the relevant environment to the focal system Information processed through a system is called throughput, and that which is exported beyond the system is called output Zaremba/Organizational Communication, 3e, © 2010, by Oxford University Press, Inc.

Systems Theory Terms Entropy and negative entropy Systems are similar to living organisms: To survive, they must have permeable boundaries at which to exchange information with their outside environments Entropy or breakdowns occur when the boundaries are not permeable Negative entropy is a desired end Zaremba/Organizational Communication, 3e, © 2010, by Oxford University Press, Inc.

Systems Theory Terms Requisite variety Diverse and multiple sets of inputs cannot be addressed by a simple approach to dealing with that complexity There must be a variety of resources available for inputs to be managed Zaremba/Organizational Communication, 3e, © 2010, by Oxford University Press, Inc.

Systems Theory Terms Homeostasis Equifinality A system must respond to its communicated input so that it achieves a balanced state Equifinality Suggests that there are multiple methods that can result in the same outcome Zaremba/Organizational Communication, 3e, © 2010, by Oxford University Press, Inc.

Learning Organizations One that is “continually expanding its capacity to create its future” (Peter Senge, The Fifth Discipline) In other words, this type of organization allows information to be shared within its relevant environments, which allows it to grow qualitatively Zaremba/Organizational Communication, 3e, © 2010, by Oxford University Press, Inc.

Systems Theory Zaremba/Organizational Communication, 3e, © 2010, by Oxford University Press, Inc.

Cultural Theory A perspective that assumes that organizations create their own identities that affect organizational life and success Functionalists consider organizational culture to be a function of communication messages generated by management Interpretivists disagree, suggesting that organizational culture emerges from the communication activity of all organizational members Zaremba/Organizational Communication, 3e, © 2010, by Oxford University Press, Inc.

Deal and Kennedy 1982 book Corporate Culture: Rites and Rituals of Corporate Life Argued that an organizational culture is a composite of its environment, espoused values, identified heroes, established rites, and customary rituals Maintained that informal communication systems promote and maintain corporate values Work was important in that it helped identify and define organizational culture, explained elements of culture, and acknowledged the importance of communication as a factor that creates and maintains culture Zaremba/Organizational Communication, 3e, © 2010, by Oxford University Press, Inc.

Peters and Waterman Wrote In Search of Excellence: Lessons from America’s Best Run Companies Identified cultural trademarks that are shared by successful companies Argued that organizations would be wise to instill these trademarks to help ensure success Zaremba/Organizational Communication, 3e, © 2010, by Oxford University Press, Inc.

Peters and Waterman Eight Trademarks of Successful Companies A bias for action Close relations to the customer Autonomy and entrepreneurship Productivity through people Hands-on, value driven Stick to the knitting Simple form, lean staff Simultaneous loose/tight properties Zaremba/Organizational Communication, 3e, © 2010, by Oxford University Press, Inc.

Critical Theory Critical theorists are concerned with the abuse of power and work to eliminate oppressive practices They consider organizations as “sites of domination” and that communication can be used as a tool for abuse. Zaremba/Organizational Communication, 3e, © 2010, by Oxford University Press, Inc.

Critical Theory Potential communication related abuses include: Privileging certain members over others Controlling access to technology and stipulating the rules for its use Determining the communicative processes that are employed for decision making Prescribing the chain of command, thereby legislating who should talk to whom Using language as a means to debilitate employees Zaremba/Organizational Communication, 3e, © 2010, by Oxford University Press, Inc.

Terms Used by Critical Theorists Ideology Beliefs of employees about the normal and natural order of things, which might not be normal or natural Manufactured consent Accepting and perhaps even buying into subjugating ideologies Hegemony The domination of one group by another, leading the oppressed group to accept or even support the ideology of the group in power Emancipation The goal of critical theorists to liberate those who are oppressed Zaremba/Organizational Communication, 3e, © 2010, by Oxford University Press, Inc.

Multiple Stakeholder Theory of Deetz and Cheney Organizations should reconfigure including employees and stakeholders both as stakeholders Creation of a democratic workplace encourages people to contribute to the organization’s activities and to collaborate toward organizational goals Zaremba/Organizational Communication, 3e, © 2010, by Oxford University Press, Inc.

Problems with Critical Theory It assumes that the critical theorists’ ideology is the correct one Critical theory intimates that organizations can be divided into three distinct groups—oppressors, oppressed, and enlightened—which is not an accurate depiction of humankind The objective of emancipation is challenging and may, in the final analysis, create other hegemonic abuses Zaremba/Organizational Communication, 3e, © 2010, by Oxford University Press, Inc.

Feminism and Critical Theory Organizations have certain perceptions of appropriate roles for women and men Feminist critics argue that male voices are privileged over others This makes it harder for women and other minority groups to function and advance at work Zaremba/Organizational Communication, 3e, © 2010, by Oxford University Press, Inc.

Summary Communication Theories should be as symbiotic Applications of Critical, Cultural, Systems, Human Resources, and Classical can all be elucidating when examining communication problems in organizations Zaremba/Organizational Communication, 3e, © 2010, by Oxford University Press, Inc. 21