Contributes to scholarship which advances the understanding of human communication. Explicates Tronto's (1993) theory of moral boundaries as a framework for analyzing the rhetoric of a patriarchal ideology that privileges men and marginalizes women. Examines the discourse surrounding the failed nomination of Zoe Baird for U.S. Attorney General,…

Describes a model of organizational listening competency (developed in a 10-year study) that applies directly to the workplace. Describes how it provides a basis for assessing listening ability largely through the observations of coworkers, and emphasizes two effective behaviors: accuracy (confirming the message sent) and support (affirming the…

Belongs to a series of papers examining how scholars understand and explain the Internet. Examines the historical development of magazines in the 20th century and broadcasting since World War II, arguing that the Internet's future will likely include pervasive commercialization, niche-building and fractionation, less governmental regulation and…

Belongs to a series of papers examining how scholars understand and explain the Internet. Offers reflections on discourse about the Internet; communication technologies across time; the future; discourse online; and the importance of discourse today. Highlights questions about how the Internet may reshape discourse, community, people's…

Finds that telecommuters, in interviews, consistently reported that telecommuting had been a success with few disadvantages, whereas questionnaire results suggest that the relationship between the telecommuter and his or her manager may deteriorate after an initial "honeymoon" phase has passed. Suggests that age and sex may affect a telecommuter's…

Discusses open systems thinking as a new lens to use when exploring written business communication--a lens that integrates task, organizational structure, control, and technology into the analysis of written business messages. Explores the influences these subsystems have on written communication and then develops these systems and subsystems into…

Argues that interpretive ethnography offers a useful avenue for exploring how members of a professional community go about producing and applying specialized written knowledge. Raises the caveat that researchers using the methodology to study professional knowledge-making need to maintain a balance of engagement with and detachment from the…

States that the periodic engineering report (a fixture of engineering classrooms and engineering practice) can become a source of conflict when North American engineers collaborate with colleagues abroad. Relates experiences of a writing consultant on such a project. Finds differences in tone and reader expectations caused misunderstandings. Uses…

Interviews foreign Information Coordinators who facilitate exchange of medical information over the Internet between healthcare providers in America and eastern Europe to learn how Internet technologies are being introduced, disseminated, and adopted in their institutions. Applies diffusion of innovations theory for interpretation. Shows technical…

Examines potential sources of public-speaking anxiety among undergraduate students stemming from the audience. Identifies three sources of anxiety: degree of formal evaluation, level of audience interest in the topic, and audience's responsiveness to the speaker. Measures willingness to speak and expected speech quality. Finds interest,…

Argues for the usefulness of a social network approach for the study of computer-mediated communication. Reviews basic concepts of social network analysis, describes how to collect and analyze social network data, and demonstrates where social network data can be used to study computer-mediated communication. Shows the utility of the social…

Outlines a framework which uses the rhetorical approach of generic criticism for the analysis of issues-management campaigns (instances of public relations discourse in which an organization makes explicit efforts to influence public policy). Outlines organizing principles, situational requirements, and substantive and stylistic characteristics.…

Finds that (1) trait and context communication apprehension correlate significantly with learning-style preference for women, but not for men; (2) high communication-apprehensive women prefer the Hands-on Experimenter and the Analytical Evaluator learning styles; and (3) communication apprehension is not correlated with age, sex, or self-reported…

Contributes to scholarship on rhetorical criticism, political science, and feminism by examining one aspect of the 1992 campaign year known as the "Year of the Woman." Discusses how the mass-mediated discursive formation positioned five female Senate candidates outside of perceived mainstream cultural beliefs. Investigates ways the…

Contends activists have a new weapon (the Internet) which can change the organization-stakeholder dynamic. Uses recent development in stakeholder theory to explain how the Internet, when used effectively, can allow activist groups to become more powerful and to command the attention of organizations. Illustrates the theoretical points presented…