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Basic Concepts and Communication Models

Basic Concepts and Communication Models. An introduction to thinking about communication in organizations. Some Course Assumptions . Information in this course is valuable to the extent that you can use it We’re trying to provide you with a repertoire of skills to meet a variety of situations

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Basic Concepts and Communication Models

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  1. Basic Concepts and Communication Models An introduction to thinking about communication in organizations

  2. Some Course Assumptions • Information in this course is valuable to the extent that you can use it • We’re trying to provide you with a repertoire of skills to meet a variety of situations • We want to go beyond skills and techniques to understand the underlying situation…theory has its uses! Prof. Nick Burnett, ComS 103, Sec. 11-18, F'07

  3. Some Fundamental Concepts • Context • Process • Truth Prof. Nick Burnett, ComS 103, Sec. 11-18, F'07

  4. Some Initial Observations • A communication axiom-- “You cannot not communicate” • Always judge communication in terms of context • Language is an inherently arbitrary symbol system • Communication is polysemic Prof. Nick Burnett, ComS 103, Sec. 11-18, F'07

  5. Communication and Organizations • Communication is not a secondary or derived aspect of organizations--it is not a “helper” • Communication is an intrinsic, inherent, defining feature of organizations • “No human relationship could be maintained, no organizational objective achieved, no activities coordinated and no decisions reached without communication.” Prof. Nick Burnett, ComS 103, Sec. 11-18, F'07

  6. Unique Perspectives on Communication in Organizations • Downward communication (superior to subordinate) • Upward communication (subordinate to superior) • Horizontal communication (among colleagues) • Informal communication (the grapevine) Prof. Nick Burnett, ComS 103, Sec. 11-18, F'07

  7. Comparative Communication Models • Early models depicted linear movement S->M->C->R • More accepted view now is transactional/transformational model of communication--simultaneous encoding and decoding of messages • Dodd—”Communication is defined as participants interpreting information by interacting through sending and receiving messages across a channel in an organizational context.” Prof. Nick Burnett, ComS 103, Sec. 11-18, F'07

  8. Critical Elements in Communication Models • Participants—uniquely situated actors in a particular context. Those participants are affected by their own particular frame of reference—their culture, gender, level of education, organizational rank, etc. • Interpretation—involves the encoding and decoding of symbols transmitted during the interaction. Those processes are not uncomplicated. • Context of the workplace—context is always important in communication, the workplace brings special challenges to context. Prof. Nick Burnett, ComS 103, Sec. 11-18, F'07

  9. Critical Elements continued • Channel--importance, needs of receiver, amount of feedback needed, permanent record?, cost, formality level, is it live or is it mediated? • Feedback--advantages and disadvantages • Noise--external and internal, technical or semantic Prof. Nick Burnett, ComS 103, Sec. 11-18, F'07

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