Communication & Organisation BS 2903 Week 2: The communication challenges facing organisations today

How people work together will dictate the types of communication that will take place and the means chosen for each.

Source: Hatch MJ(1997) Organization Theory

Scientific Management Associated with the work of F.W. Taylor - the father of work study There is ‘one best way’ to perform each task Workers should be scientifically selected and trained There is a separation of ‘conception from execution’ i.e. it is management’s job ‘to think’ and workers ‘to do’

Human Relations Inspired by Elton Mayo and the Hawthorne studies Members react to management as members of human groups Need for recognition, security and a sense of belonging more important than physical conditions Supervisors need to be aware of social needs

McGregor’s ‘Theory X’ and ‘Theory Y’ Theory X : People are lazy, hold goals contrary to the organisation, were not to be trusted, had to be closely supervised etc. Theory Y: Employees were mature, self-motivated, needed little in way of external controls Assumptions made by managers reflected in organisational structure - how much authority, rules of procedure

Burns and Stalker: The Management of Innovation Mechanistic structure (rayon mill): hierarchical,vertical communication flow, stable market Organic structure (electronics firm): few boundaries, lateral communication, volatile and turbulent external market Each form of organisation is best suited to a particular environment

Management Styles Unitary view: ‘we are all in the same boat together’, conflict is seen as ‘pathological’ Conflict view: ‘differences in perspective are natural and flow from different economic interests’, conflict is seen as ‘natural’ Reflects differences in USA v. European styles of theorising and social structures

Communications strategies Note importance of formal as well as informal channels Communications strategies have to take into account... - internal needs - the market / competitors/stakeholders - consumers/customers

Competitive Advantage ? Investment in new technologies may bring competitive advantage Or it may be an additional cost to keep up with the competition without any particular advantage (voice mail) Good communication with customers = results (part of CRM)

Activity... What are the opportunities facing organisations today ? What are the problems in this ? What is the role of a communications strategy ?

Questions?