OB Lecture 5 Communication

Question 1

Communication

Answer 1

the transference and understanding of meaning

Question 2

communication functions for organisations

Answer 2

• control member behavior
• foster motivation for what is to be done
• provide a release for emotional expression
• provide information needed to make decisions
• reducing uncertainty
• coordinate action
• effective communication crucial for task performance

Question 3

Communication process

Answer 3

The steps btw. a source and a receiver that result in the transference (Übermittlung) and understanding of meaning

Question 4

What does the sender do?

Answer 4

initiates message

Question 5

What is encoding?

Answer 5

translating thought to message

Question 6

What is decoding?

Answer 6

The receiver’s action in making sense of the message

Question 7

feedback

Answer 7

a return message regarding the initial communication

Question 8

Where does lateral (seitlich) communication in an organisation take place?

Answer 8

on the same level of hierarchy

Question 9

nonverbal communication: kinesics

Answer 9

facial expression, gestrues…

Question 10

nonverbal communication: paralinguistics

Answer 10

how words are spoken, variations in voice

Question 11

nonverbal communication: proxemics

Answer 11

how space and distance are used

Question 12

nonverbal communication: haptics

Answer 12

different types of touching

Question 13

nonverbal communication: chronemics

Answer 13

using time to communicate

Question 14

heuristic-systematic model of information processing

Answer 14

Controlled processing (CP)/Systematic processing
- individuals assess, analyze, scrutinize (hinterfragen) all information available to make their judgement

--> used when the message recipient has a high interest to make a weighted decision; deep processing; focusing on the quality of the message and arguments
Automatic processing (AP)/ Heuristic processing
- individuals use learned knowledge structures and cognitive heuristics and shortcuts to make their judgements

Question 15

What does Employee voice (when an employee talks about the company) lead to?

Answer 15

• Error avoidance
• Innovation
• Unit performance

However, managers frequently react negatively to voice

Question 16

Types of communication networks

Answer 16

Chain
- follows the chain of command
Wheel
- relies on a central figure to act as the conduit for all communication (strong leader)
All Channel:
- all group members communicate actively with each other
- self-managed teams

Question 17

the grapevine

Answer 17

• informal
• perceived by most employees as being more believable and reliable than formal communications
• largely used to serve the self-interest of those who use it

Question 18

How to reduce rumors

Answer 18

• announcing timetables for making important decision
• explain decisions that appear inconsistent
• emphasize the downside and upside of current decisions and future plans
• openly discuss worst-case possibilities (they are almost never as anxiety-provoking as the unspoken fantasy)

Question 19

cultural barriers:

Answer 19

• semantics (words that aren’t translatable)
• word connotation: some words imply multiple meanings beyond their definitions
• tone differences: the acceptable level of formality of language