Reports on Social Sciences Citation Index citations of six periodicals, three that cover business communication explicitly and three that address related areas. Finds that business communication articles are cited by many different journals, but with low frequency, and that business communication periodicals compare favorably on several indices of…

Argues the need to modify contemporary scholarly conventions that news firms expect open conflict between reporters and their superiors on policy issues. Notes that interviews at two newspapers and "Time" magazine suggest that journalists investigating their own organizations draw away from confronting key professional conflicts.…

Analyzes the ideological assumptions that have driven the conception and development of hypertext, demonstrating how it has developed from an apractical romantic viewpoint that remains a strong driving force. Argues that technical communicators must critique and design hypertexts that are rhetorically sound, refiguring hypertext as user-centered,…

Fleshes out a model of hysterical discourse, and applies it to an analysis of the charges and countercharges of "environmentalist hysteria." Gives special attention to the book that drew the earliest accusations of hysteria, Rachel Carson's "Silent Spring." (SR)

States that although crisis management has evolved rapidly in the past decade, the symbolic aspect of crisis management has been ignored. Indicates little research has been done to examine the effects of crisis-response strategies to see how they shape public opinion. Presents a list of guidelines for appropriate use of a given strategy (based on…

Reviews concepts of graphic design (where central concerns are aesthetics and popular notions of communication processes) to examine assumptions about the generation and location of meaning which underlie these frameworks. Proposes a cultural studies perspective as an alternative, in which the relationships between meaning production and cultural…

Summarizes the literature examining the association between acceptance of rape myths and exposure to pornography. States that nonexperimental methodology shows that exposure to pornography does not increase rape myth acceptance, while experimental studies show that exposure to pornography increases rape myth acceptance. Concludes that experimental…

States that attacks by communication scholars have cast doubt on the validity of exploratory factor analysis (EFA). Tests EFA's ability to produce results that replicate known dimensions in a data set. Concludes that EFA should be viewed with cautious optimism and be evaluated according to the findings of this and similar studies. (PA)

Examines patterns of perpetrator and negotiator message affect behavior in three crisis negotiation incidents. Uses the Michigan State Police four-stage strategic model of negotiation as a template. Finds that in all three incidents, perpetrators experienced an increase in message affect during the initial phase of negotiation, followed by a…

Explains that the battle to protect a corporation's image is critical during a crisis. Examines Toshiba's decision to sell weapons technology to the Soviet Union. Relates how the concept of "apologia" was used for insight into Toshiba's handling of the crisis. Argues that public relations in an image crisis is a battle for…

Investigates technical communicators' attitudes about six proposed ways to measure value added. Finds that technical communicators thought the measures are generally appropriate, feasible, and persuasive, but many have doubts about their cost acceptability. (RS)

Points out that the condensed, mediated arguments found in today's public debates resemble Aristotle's enthymeme. Illustrates the similarities between classical and postmodern arguments through an analysis of the rhetoric of David Duke, and discusses the implications for how scholars conceptualize argument in the public sphere. (SR)

Tests a process model of request tactic evaluation in two different cultures. Finds that, in both cultures, perceived effectiveness functions as a mediating variable between the four interactive constraints and perceived likelihood of use. Finds that Koreans rated concern for feelings and avoiding imposition highly, whereas Americans rated clarity…

Finds that Humor Orientation (HO) was positively correlated with communication traits of communicator adaptability, concern for eliciting positive impressions, affective orientation, and situational sense of humor. Finds that high HOs were perceived to be funnier than low HOs both by participant-observers and by independent coders who listened to…

Explores how narratives reveal values, and describes a study of an organization's culture in which values were accessed through narratives. Illustrates how, through narratives, the expressed values enhanced understanding of points of harmony and conflict within an organization. (SR)