Describes four paradigms that dominate the major research traditions in organizational communication: functionalist, interpretive, radical humanist, and radical structuralist. Argues that, although researchers rarely make their core assumptions known, their beliefs about social reality undergird the way they theorize and put into operation…

Adopts symbolic convergence theory to analyze the stories and rituals that form the shared consciousness of bargaining teams and of labor-management relationships. Uses a case comparison approach to highlight similarities and differences in the fantasy themes and bargaining rights of two teachers' negotiation units in two school districts. (KEH)

Asserts that, because bargaining occurs on two levels--the level of the issues to be addressed and the level of the bargaining event itself--it presents a fascinating arena for applying Weick's organizing model. Applies concepts of organizing, equivocality, requisite variety, enactment, and retrospective meaning to the definition, characteristics,…

Considers the role functions and general competencies of communication trainers. Focuses on the way trainers execute two principal tasks: 1) selecting topics, teaching, and evaluating communication seminars; and 2) diagnosing and managing communication problems which occur within the organization. (JMF)

A study investigated the mode of communication and the type of information that best serves an organization's purposes during the orientation interviews of new employees. Preliminary interviews with ten new employees and ten experienced employees indicated task-related performances for oral or written organizational communications--structured…

Three studies were conducted to ascertain the relationship between predisposition for group work climate and the types of procedural messages that group members employ. In the studies, expectations about group work procedures fell into two categories: high procedural order (HPO) and low procedural order (LPO). Each category consisted of four…

A study was conducted to examine the ways individuals in organizations interpreted and responded to ambiguous messages. Using Karl Weick's model of organizing, investigators measured the number of rules (criteria for taking action), the number of people, and the frequencies of message categories generated in two simulated organizations comprised…

A study examined the way argumentation in collective bargaining shapes outcomes. Specifically, it explored the types of claims and reasoning processes that characterize bargaining interaction on different subissues of a proposal and tracked the development of arguments through sequential sessions and caucus meetings by examining similarities and…

Tracks bargaining interaction and the development of arguments between school administrators and teachers (on the issue of teachers' files and evaluations) through sequential sessions and caucus meetings. Examines similarities and differences in the reasoning process on subissues that are dropped, modified, or retained in the final argument. (PD)

Questionnaires were sent to communication trainers in diverse businesses and organizations to discern how they perform their teaching and consulting functions. Survey results were obtained from 57 respondents (28% response rate) for the following areas: topics dealt with in seminars, workshops, and courses on communication; primary sources for…

A typology developed from case structure and argumentation theory was used in an analysis of case types that evolved in the discussion of 12 issues during a 10-hour bargaining session between negotiators for teachers and a school board. Case types in the typology were (1) need-plan, which argues for the need to change the status quo; (2)…

During the past 15 years, most studies dealing with communication and conflict in organizational settings have used a bargaining context while integrating assumptions from game theory, information processing, developmental approaches, and systems theory into their research designs. These studies also reflect four communication topic areas,…

Examines the role of reciprocity in bargaining interaction. Focuses on labor/management differences in communication structure; their impact on bargaining outcomes; and the effect of sex-role composition on bargaining communication. Results, among other findings, demonstrated that management relied on defensive tactics while labor specialized in…

A preliminary study investigating the perceptions of intergroup relations in the bargaining process supports Kenneth Burke's concepts of order and mystery. Questionnaires, interviews, and direct observations of teachers' and school boards' teams involved in contract negotiations show that people closest to the bargaining saw more order in the…