Describes the development of the concept of ethical sensitivity in the field of cognitive moral psychology. Discusses significance of ethical sensitivity for the field of organizational communication; weaknesses of empirical and theoretical research about moral decision making in the field of business ethics; and questions from organizational…

Identifies domains of unethical service communication and proposes a research agenda for examining service ethics. Calls for research to explore service ethics among different occupational groups, investigate effects of unethical practices on service providers and customers, and identify characteristics of organizational climates which foster…

Finds that the number of relationships claimed by men and women were similar, but women's collegial relationships were higher on several relational functions than men's, and women's special peer relationships were stronger than men's in several areas. Shows that the work setting as a context is, for friendship purposes, similar to nonwork…

Synthesizes findings of 18 published experimental studies comparing face-to-face and computer-mediated communication (CMC). Finds that in general, discussions using CMC take longer, produce more ideas, and have greater equality of participation; but that there is reduced normative pressure and poor comprehension of the discussion in CMC. (SR)

Argues that scientific management principles result in an implementation of technology which fails to take full advantage of organization members and of the technology itself, while in a sociotechnical systems approach, technology is designed and implemented in ways enhancing the potential of both individuals and the technology itself, in…

Reviews the progress of business communication ethics research in recent years. Argues that further improvement will require that scholars identify central issues, use a variety of research methods, address normative issues, make full use of relevant literatures, and support colleagues who choose business communication ethics as a major research…

Examines graphical presentations of quantitative data within corporate annual reports in Hong Kong. Finds that approximately 35% of companies included graphics in their annual report. Notes that half of all graphs violated sound principles of chart graphics and were therefore misleading; and misleading graphs occurred across all industrial…

Proposes a new explanation for accumulated research findings concerning door-in-the-face (DITF) influence strategy. Treats successful DITF implementations as guilt based. Finds explanation consistent with theoretical and empirical understandings of the nature of guilt and with guilt-based social influence. Suggests a significant role for a new…

Establishes an experimental model to permit systematic investigations of adult communication skill acquisition. Uses the model in three experimental studies which indicated that, of the three models under examination, the power model consistently provided the best characterization of changes in message-production skill over time. Discusses…

Explores how an understanding of the nature and purposes of reports may help women gain recognition for accomplishments, both in conventional business settings and within feminized professions and spheres of activity. Uses a case study of report writing in a club to illustrate how work reports can provide a vehicle for elevating the perceived…

Uses diffusion of innovations theory to contrast three different preventive health interventions (undertaken by the contractual network of the Cancer Information Service) by their innovation attributes. Shows that innovation attributes were rated differentially by organizational members, depending on the nature of the specific intervention,…

Extends previous research on interpersonal construct system development and persuasive ability by using more sensitive indicators of individual achievement and exploring sex differences in the relationship between communication abilities and individual achievement. Finds positive, significant associations between communication abilities and…

Finds that subjects primarily used a communicator's verbal plausibility, nervousness, and nonverbal expectancies violation to guide veracity judgments. Shows that accuracy was higher for participants judging truthful communicators than for subjects judging deceptive communicators. Discusses a truth bias and the use of global heuristics as possible…

Argues that if mass communications researchers continue to largely disregard the research potential of the Internet, their theories about communication will become less useful. Proposes a conceptualization of the Internet as a mass medium, based on revised ideas of what constitutes a mass audience and a mediating technology. (SR)

Replicates and extends previous research in the use of relational maintenance strategies in marriage. Examines diary logs of 10 married couples. Finds significant differences between husbands and wives for openness, network, and especially task strategies. Notes a general decline in the use of all types of strategies as years of marriage…