In a survey, clients and consultants agreed that actions fostering success are the following: agreeing on objectives and evaluation measures, providing flexible approaches, gaining commitment, and preparing the consultant. Both cited unclear/unrealistic objectives as a pitfall. To improve client/consultant success, guidelines can identify the…

Discusses the development of a self-report measure of oral communication within an organizational environment and investigates whether or not oral communication apprehension in employment is related to general communication apprehension. (MH)

After discussing the defensive response in interpersonal communications in organizations, the article presents eight communication techniques for improving organizational communication skills and thereby creating a more supportive organizational climate. (MF)

A survey discloses that collective bargaining sessions open to the public are approved and recommended by Florida's school board members by greater than a two-to-one majority. (Author/MLF)

The Alliance for Arts Education is an educational project embracing organizations and individuals at the national, state, and local levels with a mutual commitment to the arts as an integral part of the educational process. The JDR 3rd Fund provides consultant and technical services and, through coordination of the League of Cities for the Arts in…

Develops technical writing skills by organizing the class as a "company." Class activities include forming the company, defining the product, and completing exercises and situations in internal and external business communication. (RL)

Investigates the communication behavior of professionals performing linking roles in the research dissemination process and the relationship of such professionals' behavior to effectiveness in facilitating research dissemination. (MH)

Compares previous findings regarding dimensions of organizational communication effectiveness with the results of interviews with 48 northwest corporate administrators. Lists six major dimensions of effectiveness: (1) coaching and motivating employees, (2) encouraging worker involvement and participation, (3) self-motivation, (4) problem-solving…

Defines and clarifies the role of educational public relations in relation to student achievement. This communications process, which improves organizational understanding and climate through broad community involvement, should be given top priority by educators and citizens. (CJH)

Presents an inventory to assess district-level and building-level employees' perceptions about management and communication in their school system. Includes an explanation of how to use the inventory for application to local concerns and a 10-item "climate inventory assessment factors" inventory. (CJH)

Answers pertinent questions about the use of corporate communication policies, based on evaluation of written policies and in-depth interviews with corporate representatives. (JC)

Describes the development of a Communication Openness Measure (COM) based on an empirically supported model of the communication openness construct and suggests a number of speculative conclusions about the nature of communication openness. (JC)

Uses metaphor analysis to illuminate recent conflicts at Disneyland. Discusses a 30-year change of emphasis of root-metaphors from "drama" to "family" that reflects fundamental differences between management and employees, along with the implications of this confrontation for the future of Disneyland. (NKA)

Uses symbolic interactionism to understand media choice processes during managerial communications--studying communication incidents involving face-to-face, telephone, electronic mail, and written media. Suggests that managers' choices are influenced by (1) ambiguity of the message content and richness of the communication medium, (2) symbolic…