When most people think about the water coming from their kitchen faucets, they seldom consider where the water originates and how transporting it to their homes has environmental impacts. Utilities that supply water know the complexity of their systems, but from their position as a "utility," they view their job as supplying safe water…

This article uses personas to illustrate the range of technical communication knowledge work developed through its practitioners--to articulate the functions, characteristics, traits, skills, and workplace styles of positions someone in the field might pursue. Recent research has provided valuable data about the expanding and evolving skill sets…

Faculty culture and communication networks are pivotal components of technology transfer on university campuses. Universities are focused upon diffusing technology to external clients and upon building structure and support systems to enhance technology transfer. However, engaging faculty members in technology transfer requires an internal…

This article explores the uses of coaching and mentoring as they apply to organizational communication professors. The authors contend that these professors already are proficient at coaching and mentoring and the coaching and mentoring processes are routinely undertaken as part of their standard university teaching responsibilities. As coaches,…

This study examines the content of press releases from the National Science Foundation (NSF) Science and Technology Centers (STCs) to determine how public information officers (PIOs) presented the outcomes of centers to journalists and the public. A total of 68 press releases were analyzed for type of news covered, visibility of centers and their…

Proposes that an examination and analysis of a company's overall communication network may provide significant guidelines for increasing the organization's communication effectiveness. Explains network roles and considers their contributions to the communication climate. (SR)

Argues that successful "rightsizing" requires that managers preserve the morale and productivity of the remaining employees. Finds a communication consultant can offer guidance on how to maintain employee morale, help employees perceive the layoffs as fair, take care of employees who have lost their jobs, assist management with layoff…

Discusses the technical writing profession in the Netherlands. Bases the discussion on two studies--one directed at technical freelancers and another directed at technical writers working within organizations. Gives a profile of technical writers in the Netherlands; an impression of the problems technical writers in organizations deal with;…

Suggests that investigating the play of texts in the organizations where professionals do their work should further knowledge about professional communication. Examines the development of communicative practices at a national production company that relied on texts to mediate its organizational activities across geographically dispersed locations…

Describes project results on the nature of oral presentations given and produced by technical/managerial professionals working in business and industry. Notes that the survey responses focused on issues including frequency, target audience(s), objectives, data/information base, use of visuals, equipment, obstacles, and training. States that the…

States that group class exercises have the potential to provide important lessons for business education students. Describes organizational communication and marketing classes that applied team formation and team-building exercises to enrich the team experience and differentiate it from typical group work. (PA)

Describes the use of black communication style by African Americans in an organized environment. Uses a research method involving a multimethod approach of field data collection using direct observation and semi-structured interviews. Shows that, although the black employees felt they were changing their communication style to fit organizational…

Notes that corporate documents of a women's clothing company changed in one season from relatively outdated designs to more updated, professional layouts but the content changed very little. Contends that the document redesign indicates a move to a more feminist outlook for the company. Describes how the document design represents a slow change…

Examines the changing role of the technical communication professional in the rapidly evolving environment of organizational life. Presents five principles that serve as an initial step in laying a foundation for the preparation of technical communicators for the challenges and opportunities awaiting in contemporary organizations and the…

The purpose of this article is to evaluate value-add methods and activities applied to organizational communication college-level course work. Graduate organizational communication faculty are aware that their classes serve as direct preparation for students entering business and professional careers. The knowledge learned and the skills acquired…