In a synthesis of the research, the authors present findings from communication and literacy studies conducted with children and youth with deafblindness, ages 0-22 years, and published in peer-reviewed journals, 1990-2015. Findings are organized within the structure of the four aspects of communication: form, function, content, context. The…

The widespread use of Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) in the higher education sector in recent years highlights the importance of forging successful relationships with employers, business, industry and government. This article reports on a large ethnographic study conducted by Victoria University into host organisations' perceptions of WIL.…

The influence of communication processes on group outcomes is discussed from two perspectives, one in which influence does not exist and one in which influence is central. Formal models for both perspectives are presented as a means of bracketing discussion of the role of communication processes in group outcomes. The implications of these models…

Knowing is an enacted, communicated process that is difficult to observe, let alone manage, in organizations. Communities of practice (CoPs) offer a productive solution for improving knowledge and knowledge management, but the communicative processes that enact CoPs have not been explored, leaving CoPs as an organizational black box. This research…

Investigates how employees perceived organizational "rules" in describing specific communication problems. Finds that stating clear policy would have helped head off 20% of the problems described; respondents mentioned many more unwritten than written means by which communication expectations were conveyed; and organizations with written…

Describes the Experience Sampling Method, a quasi-naturalistic method that involves signaling research subjects at random times throughout the day, and asking them to report on the nature and quality of their experience. Discusses the method's applications and value in research topics in organizational settings; with mass and mediated…

Examines divergences of self-reported from observed communication behavior. Finds that perceived relationship to the group explained 59% of the variance of the average size of commission errors, and the collective communication load on members explained 61% of the variance in the number of omission errors. Proposes a model relating situated…

Explores the relationship between the boundary spanning communication of individual organization members and organizational legitimacy. Finds that perceptions regarding the nature of the boundary spanning communication of an agency head and a staff scientist contributed importantly to the sociopolitical delegitimation of the organization. (RS)

Examines relationships among impression-management messages, evaluations of reward allocations (fairness and responsibility), and reaction to rewards (anger, approval of manager, and overall job satisfaction). Finds that impression-management messages directly influence fairness and responsibility, and indirectly influence anger and approval. (SR)

States that interpersonal conflicts in the workplace frequently involve conversations with coworkers and outsiders. Examines informal third-party discussions in the workplace, as described by 396 professionals attending graduate business programs and executive seminars. Indicates that conflict intensity and relative power are likely to affect the…

Finds that delivery makes a difference in evaluations of leader charisma. Offers the concept of communicator style as a way to interpret the findings. (SR)

Analyzes data from five different kinds of organizations, showing that, regardless of how much information organization members reported receiving, they wanted more, thus revealing a general belief in the communication metamyth that more communication is better. (SR)

Studies 35 organizational meetings (each from a different organization) to examine the development and use of five primary tools for planning and managing meetings (agendas, support documents, announcements, meeting minutes, and evaluations). Analyzes the relationships of these tools to meeting processes, and looks at control of these tools by…

Finds that as cashiers displayed more courtesy, customers provided more positive evaluations of service and were ultimately more likely to recommend the store and shop at the store if other stores are closer; but that courteous service did not predict customer helpfulness, and explained relatively little variation overall in outcome variables. (SR)

Explores possible influences on diagonal communication (interaction two or more hierarchical levels apart or one hierarchical level apart but outside the direct chain of command). Shows that, for high performing groups, diagonal interactions may be necessary when environmental turbulence makes work-related problems difficult to solve and the…