Chapter 4

Question 1

What is organizational logic?

Answer 1

A listing of the task processes and a description of how the organization functions

Question 2

What is a downward information flow?

Answer 2

Refers to those message systems that proceed vertically down the chain of command from managers to subordinates

Question 3

What is an upward information flow?

Answer 3

From employees up to the chain of command

Question 4

What is a horizontal information flow?

Answer 4

With peers, colleagues or fellow workers with whom one does not have a hierarchical relationship. It stimulates organizational commitment

Question 5

What is the media richness theory?

Answer 5

Focuses on the requirements of the communication task. Messages higher in ambiguity would require richer communication media

Question 6

What is the social information processing theory?

Answer 6

Focuses on the communicative participants and their context. It is critical toe explore the characteristics of the communication media in the context of the organization’s norms and its normal and informal relationships

Question 7

What are the three steps of the social information processing theory?

Answer 7

1. Assess client organization’s media comprehensively
2. Gauge employee reactions to those media
3. Evaluate the appropriateness of channel use given the interrelationship among messages, media characteristics an media organizational communicators

Question 8

What is the task/work function?

Answer 8

Organizations succeed by getting work done. The ability to inform, instruct, command, solve problems, identify goals and to announce controls

Question 9

What is the social/maintenance function?

Answer 9

The goals are to enhance the individual’s feeling of self-worth, to place high value on cooperative interpersonal and group interaction and to keep personnel function well together

Question 10

What is the motivation function?

Answer 10

Persuasive communication is designed to influence, win approval and to motivate.

Question 11

What is the integration function?

Answer 11

Communication can build links so that members know what is going on, identify with the organization, articulate its values, participate willingly in its processes and feel pride in working there

Question 12

What is the innovation function?

Answer 12

Organizations change to improve or to adapt the environment and they are turning to their employees as important resources for suggestions

Question 13

What are superior-subordinate relationships?

Answer 13

Can be analyzed by

1. Interpersonal trust
2. Message exchange
3. The communication style

Question 14

What are co-worker relationships?

Answer 14

Affect both job productivity and job satisfaction

Question 15

What are manager relationships?

Answer 15

Affect the organization’s communicatie health

Question 16

What are unit relationships?

Answer 16

Interdepartmental communication

Question 17

What are the rules governing relationships?

Answer 17

The rules how, when, and about what people to communicatie. Discover what rules people follow

Question 18

What are formal networks?

Answer 18

Networks that follow the organization structures

Question 19

What are informal networks?

Answer 19

Interactions are based on friendships and social ties rather than on position or work processes

Question 20

What are the outcomes of good communication?

Answer 20

1. Satisfaction
2. Profitability and costs
3. Productivity
4. Positive labor-management relations
5. Organizational commitment