Argues that it was the failure of the decision-making process, rather than the mode of risk assessment, which led to the decision to launch the Space Shuttle Challenger. Identifies the phrasing of the decision question and a shift in the burden of proof as specific problems of the process. (MS)

Investigates differences between networks, based on importance, response satisfaction, and frequency within the same functional communication network. Finds few differences in networks generated by these different methods for determining strengths of linkages, and a number of difficulties associated with current methodologies for examining more…

Examines how police officers socially construct a sense of organizational drama when they label, valorize, and narrate their work experience. Demonstrates the importance of dramaturgical approaches to the study of organizational communication. (MS)

Illustrates how Johnson & Johnson's crisis communication management adhered to many of the recommended guidelines for managing contingency planning, for mobilizing a crisis communication effort, and for post-crisis communication. Reveals the advantageous use of flexible, proactive, and corollary communication strategies. (MS)

Notes that "identification" and "commitment" appear frequently in organizational studies as ways of describing the individual's connection with the organization and argues that the concepts are distinct but interrelated. Sees identification as the substance of individual-organization relationships and commitment as the form.…

Suggests an important modification to H. A. Simon's original Model of Interaction in social groups to (1) explain the emergence and organizational structure of communication, friendship, and activity patterns and (2) trace their effect on human sentiment. Indicates that the more frequently people interact with one another, the stronger their…

Suggests a perspective for understanding stress within an organizational environment by exploring the relationship between both (1) work-related stress and life events, communication, and stress in general; and (2) role, personality, and performance stress and communication in the work-related environment. Outlines methods for productively…

Argues that scientific approaches to a quality communication environment need to be supplemented by humanistic approaches. Describes and applies four humanistic principles to show how employees contribute to organizational effectiveness. Discusses the policy implications resulting in an organization adhering to these principles. (JD)

Reviews research on issue management. Argues for a better tool for issue analysis, outlining criteria for such a tool. Discusses an approach to issue development which allows the tool to be formulated. Presents the tool, an issue development graph, and a case study which illustrates the benefits of the tool. (MS)

Argues that perceived understanding underlies two important dimensions of organizational effectiveness: consideration and initiation of structure. Describes the Perceived Understanding Instrument and explains how it can be used to identify specific verbal and nonverbal communication behaviors that influence organizational effectiveness. (JD)

Provides evidence for rejecting Festinger's Substitute Locomotion Theory of organizational communication. Demonstrates a clear difference between formal and informal channels of upward communication. Indicates that high mobility individuals communicate significantly more with their supervisors than low mobility individuals and that males…

Investigates the relationship between communicator style and managerial behavior in the organizational context and concludes that different styles of management which are typified by different styles of communication could significantly affect organizational communication practices. (MH)

Analyzes the relationship of leadership style and communication behavior to employee commitment. Finds that leaders' stylistic qualities and socially skilled communication play a part in predicting how subordinates feel about their organization. (MS)

Argues that researchers questioning the communication needs of the business community have based their research on the wrong assumptions. Uses the language of business rather than academia to determine the communication skills desired by the business community, skills involved in motivating people, delegating authority, listening, direction…

Supports the use of issue advertising. Argues that speech communication scholars can facilitate the responsible and effective use of issue ads. Reviews critics and proponents of issue advertising. Develops a rationale to guide the practice of issue advertising. Examines issue advertising in the current pro-nuclear campaign. (MS)