Communication in Organizations Focus Questions What is organizational culture? How important is it to be involved in the informal networks of organizations? How do rituals and routines affect life in organizations? What are the risks of forming personal relationships with co-workers? What challenges face organizations and members of them in this era? Communication in Organizations

Features of Organizational Communication Structure Organization means “structure.” (loose or rigid) Hierarchy Networks Communication occurs in networks. Relationships ad hoc network: in response to specific issues Links to external environment Contexts (multiple and connected) Communication in Organizations

Communication in Organizations Organization Culture Ways of thinking, acting, and viewing work Shared by members Reflecting identity Four Communication Practices (next few slides) Vocabulary Stories Rites & Rituals Structures Communication in Organizations

Communication in Organizations Vocabulary The language of an organization reflects and expresses its history, norms, values, identity. Hierarchical language Distinguishes levels of status Eg., military, school,… Masculine language More typical of men than women (HP 菲奧莉娜 故事) Words & phrases taken from sports, military… Communication in Organizations

Communication in Organizations Stories Storytelling to weave coherent narratives and to create meaning, and to sustain organizational cultures Corporate stories Convey values, style, and history of an organization Personal stories How people see themselves, and to be seen by others Collegial stories Personal accounts of other members 02:00 Communication in Organizations

Communication in Organizations Rites and Rituals Verbal and nonverbal practices Rites: Sets of activities that bring together aspects of ideology in a single event (dramatic and planned) Rituals: Forms of communications that occur regularly; perceived familiar and routine Difference Rituals don’t necessarily bring together a number of aspects of organizational ideology into a single event Rituals are repeated communication performance 01:30 Communication in Organizations

Communication in Organizations Rites Rites of passage Artwork in larger office, special handshake Rites of integration Holiday parties, graduation ceremonies Rites of blaming or praising Military, Tenure in college Rites of recognition Honors of achievement Rites of managing change Training workshops; office rearrangement Rites of resolving conflicts Voting, meditation Communication in Organizations

Communication in Organizations Rituals Personal rituals Individual routines; delivering staff mail in person Social rituals Company dinning room for informal interaction, tea break E-mail chatting Task rituals Police officer’s routine questions Sales presentations Communication in Organizations

Communication in Organizations Structures Organizing relationships and interactions Roles Responsibilities and behaviors of specific position Rules Constitutive and regulative rules Policies Formal statements of practices; mission statement Communication networks Formal & informal; job description and organization chart Grapevine: Communication outside the formal channels 01:16 Communication in Organizations

Challenges for Communication in Organizations Adapting to diverse needs, situations, and people Moving in and out of teams Participating in variety teams Managing personal relationships on the job Personal vs. professional Romantic relationships Movie Clip: Ed Misses the banquet (p. 298) Communication in Organizations