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

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. 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.

9. 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.

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

11. 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.

12. 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.

13. 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.

14. 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.

15. 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.

16. 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.

17. 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.

18. 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.

19. 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.

20. 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.

21. 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