Most business communication textbooks treat "unfavorable" communications as written documents--denials of credit, collection requests, rejections for employment, inability to meet deadlines, etc. These written "unfavorable" documents are no longer actually written by most employees. In fact, many of these communications are computer generated and…

Outlines and analyzes the Targowski/Bowman model of communication. Suggests adaptations for the model, noting that these changes increase the model's explanatory power and its capacity to predict the communicative outcome of a message given in a business situation. (MM)

Noting the lack of business communication research, the authors conclude that a mind-set may exist toward quantitative research. They define and advance qualitative research techniques as an alternative. (PD)

Uses a systems approach to organizational theory to argue that technical communicators function as "boundary spanners," who make sense of and disseminate information required for coordination between organizational groups, and for effective responses to the environment. (JAD)

Examines a structural equation model of the effects of persuasiveness, salience, and uncertainty on participation in innovations, focusing on the process by which an innovative manager in a financial institution secures support from other managers in the early stages of an innovation. Finds that persuasion had a paramount impact on participation.…

Draws from the literature on organizational and managerial effectiveness to construct a three-dimensional "competing values model." Illustrates the dynamic interplay between the highly contrasting characteristics of four types of presentational communication. Discusses the benefits of the model and suggests its usefulness as an evaluative tool for…

Presents a brief overview of the most significant models of the communication process, evaluates the communication models of the greatest relevance to business communication, and establishes a foundation for a new conception of that process. (JC)

Discusses open systems thinking as a new lens to use when exploring written business communication--a lens that integrates task, organizational structure, control, and technology into the analysis of written business messages. Explores the influences these subsystems have on written communication and then develops these systems and subsystems into…

Presents the Targowski/Bowman model of the communication process, which introduces a new paradigm that isolates the various components for individual measurement and analysis, places these components into a unified whole, and places communication and its business component into a larger cultural context. (MM)

Argues that the Dictamen (a formal and complex model for letter writing in Medieval times, prescribing a certain writing style and organization) disappeared slowly by attrition over 100 years prior to 1500, and that it was never universal. Supports this claim by examining the Cely papers, the largest surviving collection of merchant letters,…

Reports the results of electronic communication systems on office communication and the concepts and competencies that should be stressed to prepare students for this environment. (PD)

Focuses on the role of communication competencies in superiors' overall judgments about the performance of subordinates. Finds that superiors' perceptions of subordinates' specific communication competencies are related to the superiors' overall perceptions of subordinate performance. (MS)

Discusses the problems of communications models. Presents a channel-ratio model that focuses on problems arising from intercultural interactions and addresses some practical needs of business communicators. Describes assumptions of the model, its elements, and its dynamic operation. Gives examples of the model's application to verbal and nonverbal…

Examines a macro theoretical paradigm for management communication which clarifies relationships among the factors that influence persuasion. Explores the notion of strategic choice, and elaborates a strategic model for managers. (MM)

Assesses strategies employees use to express upward dissent within contemporary organizations. Indicates that employees used direct-factual appeal, repetition, solution presentation, circumvention, and threatening-resignation strategies for expressing upward dissent. Provides support for the exit-voice-loyalty model (and subsequent revisions) of…