Organizational (Culture) Communication

Question 1

Organizational Culture

Answer 1

*The essence of organizational life; *It is an intricately designed web of associations; Members must adapt their communication behaviors to fit within the overall organizational culture

Question 2

Perspectives on Organizational Communication

Answer 2

• Functional/Traditional
• Interpretive
• Critical

Question 3

Functional/Traditional

Answer 3

Understand organizations through the eyes of an effective manager

Question 4

Interpretive

Answer 4

Understand organizations through the eyes of its members

Question 5

Critical

Answer 5

Understand organizations through the eyes of the marginalized members

Question 6

Communication Networks in Organizations

Answer 6

• Centralized
• Chained
• Decentralized Network

Question 7

Centralized

Answer 7

A few central members link communication within a group; *Pros: Efficient for simple tasks, Central person is satisfied. *Cons: Non-central members are less satisfied , Central person could be overloaded, Limits inventiveness

Question 8

Chained

Answer 8

Some members communicate with others only indirectly through others; *Pros: Extends membership inputs to the group, Reduces unnecessary participation of specialized members. *Cons: Potential for miscommunication is high, Peripheral members are less committed

Question 9

Decentralized Network

Answer 9

All members communicate directly with all other members. *Pros: Increased satisfaction, Increased inventiveness, Better performance on complex tasks. *Cons: Time consuming

Question 10

Assumptions of Organizational Culture Theory

Answer 10

• Members create and maintain a shared sense of organizational reality
• The use and interpretation of symbols are critical to an organization’s culture
• Cultures vary across organizations

Question 11

Symbols of Organizational Culture

Answer 11

Physical, Behavioral and Verbal Symbols

Question 12

Physical Symbols

Answer 12

Art/Design/Logo; Example: For Rutgers its the block “R”

Appearance material objects

Question 13

Behavioral Symbols

Answer 13

Ceremonies/Ritual Traditions/Customs Rewards/Punishment

Example: Rutgers Graduation Ceremonies every year, they never change; or how Frat & Sororities recruit new members

Question 14

Verbal Symbols

Answer 14

Anecdotes/Jokes Jargon/Names/Nicknames explanation stories/Myths/History Metaphors
Certain Jokes are important to organizations

Question 15

Organizations as Communicative Performance

Answer 15

Organizational life is like a theatrical presentation in which supervisors and employees take on various roles

Question 16

Types of Performance

Answer 16

Ritual, Passion, Social, Political and Enculturation

Question 17

Performance

Answer 17

Metaphor suggesting that organizational life is like a theatrical presentation

Question 18

Ritual Performance

Answer 18

Regular & recurring presentations in the workplace

Question 19

Passion Performance

Answer 19

Organizational stories that employees share w/ one another

Question 20

Social Performance

Answer 20

Organizational behaviors intended to demonstrate cooperation & politeness

Question 21

Enculturation Performance

Answer 21

Organizational behaviors that assist employees in discovering what it means to be a member of an organization

Question 22

Political Performance

Answer 22

Organizational behaviors that demonstrate power or control