In an effort to establish the domain of organizational communication (OC), this paper defines variables, presents models of their relationships, explains the three dominant approaches to OC, and proposes ways to test their competing claims. Having defined characteristic, causal, and result variables, the paper stresses the importance of…

Cites and annotates textbooks in organizational communication. (KS)

This outline contains categories on the origins, theories, processes, principles, and problems associated with organizational communication. (RL)

Describes the development of a Communication Openness Measure (COM) based on an empirically supported model of the communication openness construct and suggests a number of speculative conclusions about the nature of communication openness. (JC)

Three case studies of university communication audits are presented to illustrate recommendations and changes implemented in institutional communication as a result of the audit. (JMF)

Many research studies have revealed links between open communication and organizational success. A correlational study was conducted to determine whether that relationship is indirect, rather than direct. To simplify the analysis only one intervening variable--innovativeness--was employed. The subjects in the study--94 members of six…

The communication responsibility of corporate executives within their organizations entails two dimensions: the information dimension involving the content or meaning of what is communicated, and the interpersonal dimension involving the relationship between the people communicating. To successfully manage a corporation, executives must have an…

Guidelines are offered to a college or university for conducting a communication audit. These include steps in planning the audit, use of the variety of tools available for administering the audit, the development and feedback to the institution, and development of recommendations to improve institutional communication. (JMF)

In order to determine whether organizational communication (OC) had matured as an academic field, a study examined the course structure, course content, and teaching practices of a variety of OC courses. A 19-item questionnaire was sent to 762 OC professionals, 73 of whom indicated that they actually taught OC courses. Results showed that the…

Presents instructional strategies for developing recruitment, instruction, curriculum, and placement in organizational communication courses. (RL)

This paper contains a theoretical analysis and empirical study that support the major premise of Robert Dubin's minimal-linkage construct-that restricting communication links increases organizational stability. The theoretical analysis shows that fewer communication links are associated with less uncertainty, more redundancy, and greater…

More courses in the relatively new area of organizational communication should be offered because the subject matter is transdisciplinary in scope, method, and application, and the area holds promise for contributing to the advancement of knowledge and the possible unification of the sciences. Such courses can explain the communication processes…

The simulation of real world problems in an organizational communication classroom by presenting students with case material for analysis, investigation, and discussion has the advantages of being convenient and of allowing students to apply the facts, concepts, and techniques they have learned. This paper contains a variety of cases which provide…

A study investigated whether people in organizations desired more information related to their jobs or the organization. Specifically, it tested the hypotheses that (1) people who felt they were receiving adequate information would not want more information, and (2) people who felt they were receiving inadequate information would desire more.…

Variables for effective communication in institutions of higher education are identified. Described are basic principles of communication, the variety of available forms of institutional communication and their purposes, and some indicators of their effectiveness. (JMF)