ORGANISATIONAL COMMUNICATION

Question 1

transmission model of communication

Answer 1

communicator - (encoding) - message - channel - receiver - (decoding) - effect

Question 2

functional theory of communicatoin

Answer 2

assumes that organisations are rational information processing systems, hence distortion can be identified and eliminated by: function - network - channel - direction - how many messages and how detailed

Question 3

functional theory (function)

Answer 3

function (organising, relationship, change); design your message to fit the function

Question 4

functional theory (network)

Answer 4

can be formal, informal, technological
- always “leaky” (but the grapevine is a double edged sword, can be used to notify people informally first to prepare, but can also create unnecessary rumour)

Question 5

functional theory (channel)

Answer 5

• email? phone? notice board? face to face?

Question 6

functional theory (direction)

Answer 6

upward (your boss)
horizontal (colleague)
Downward (subordinates)
External (media or customers)

Question 7

adv. of functional theories

Answer 7

• logical approach to comm
• can identify key aspects in the comm process where things can go wrong

Question 8

disadv of functional theories

Answer 8

• comm can take place intentionally or unintentionally, even without deliberately creating and passing on a message
• meanings are not “passed on” but rather “shared”, and we interact based on these shared meanings
• comm has effect far beyond the receiver getting the “what” of my message

Question 9

meaning centred theories

Answer 9

comm is not simply about transmitting messages on a one-off basis
- through receiving the message, you may receive all sorts of other messages that the sender may or may not intend to send
- all human interaction is communicative whether intended or not

Question 10

types of metaphor

Answer 10

machine metaphor
- authoritarian power
- change agent: mechanic
developmental metaphor
- egalitarian power (sharing power)
- change agent: coach
transitional metaphor
- top down power
- change agent: guide
transformational metaphor
- charismatic power (e.g. CEO)
- change agent: visionary, creator