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

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