Analyzes the corporate apologetic discourses of three paradigmatic cases (at Chrysler, Toshiba, and Volvo) and examines the use of persuasive descriptions and strategic dissociations preferred by these corporate apologists. Shows how organizations label their wrongdoing in a way that displays sorrow but limits culpability and use dissociations to…

It is proposed that, to keep editors of institutional publications happy, their supervisors use such techniques as productive communication in both individual and group sessions; recognition of achievements; setting goals and objectives for individual and professional development; and sensitivity to needs for support of various kinds. (MSE)

Suggestions for making the academic planning process at the higher education level more productive include being realistic about what can be accomplished; carefully reviewing past planning efforts; preparing others for change; structuring change over time; and tailoring the model to the circumstances of the changes to be made. Substantive…

Proposes a typology of impacts that greater increases in workforce diversity might have on communication effectiveness in organizations. Proposes the typology to stimulate further interest in the research domain. (SR)

Reveals two constraints on public relations: the communication technician role, constraining information disclosure about the organization; and the manager role, constraining participation in the decision-making process. Discusses implications for what can be communicated outside and what can be done inside the organization. Addresses implications…

Conceptualizes self-reports of communication as a type of account, and conducts interviews based on H. A. Simon's protocol analysis technique with participants in an organizational simulation. Finds that participants used a wide variety of resources to account for their communication with others. Discusses implications for the use of self-report…

Considers possible dysfunctions of supportive communication in the workplace and proposes a research agenda to investigate these dysfunctions at the micro and macro levels of analysis. (RS)

Notes that the contextualized, interpretive methods of qualitative research can help researchers generate rich theory. Discusses a social theory of business genres developed from a qualitative research study of organizational genres of communication. (RS)

Discusses six common characteristics and three controversial issues of feminist theory. Traces their impact on the redefinition of technical communication in terms of the myth of scientific objectivity, the new interest in ethnographic studies of workplace communication, and the recent focus on collaborative writing. (SR)

Presents a meta-analysis of 25 primary research studies of managerial gender communication issues. Addresses issues of behavioral differences and research methodologies. Concludes that communication differences between male and female managers are minimal and of little social importance. Suggests the use of an interactionist perspective in future…

Develops a two-step framework (resistance to privileged discourse followed by harmonic discourse) for understanding multicultural communication in organizations based on the assumption of cultural difference. Suggests four directions for future research to create the data base that would allow development of a model of multicultural communication…

Notes that how organizations respond to a death can influence coping in either positive or negative directions for friends and co-workers of the deceased. Reviews how casualty policies have developed in U.S. Army, and draws on Army's casualty experience to suggest ways in which organizational responses to death might facilitate healthy adjustment…

Offers a case study describing how the rhetorical expertise of a young woman (at the lowest professional level in a male-dominated bureaucratic organization) gave her the power to revise the processes by which her organization did its work, to rewrite the job descriptions of the managers within the organization, and to create a unique role for…

Examines some examples of discourse practices among managers and employees in the customer service department of a large manufacturing firm. Shows how knowledge of the ways that language can both include and exclude people from cultural groups in the worksite can help professional communicators facilitate more effective and responsible…

On-site minisurveys and mail follow-up of 141 visitors to wilderness areas of Angeles National Forest (California) found greater ethnic diversity than in other wildernesses. Results for Anglo and Hispanic respondents are reported concerning contact with the Forest Service, other sources of information about the forest, information media…