Offers a behavioral definition of a public, demonstrates how the definition can be used by public relations practitioners in researching and analyzing their publics, and reports on a formulative study of a suburban hospital that can serve as a model for public relations practitioners who wish to do similar research. (Author/GW)

Urges teachers of technical writing and graduate students in English to get off campus and engage in giving businesses advice intended to solve problems in technical communication, editing technical communication publications, and researching and writing such publications. (GW)

Communicative "incidents" in a research and development organization are assigned to three theoretical clusters: the power advancement cluster, the power pressure cluster, and the central figure cluster, to produce predictive generalizations about organizational communication. (JMF)

A rhetorical framework based on Burkean theory is used to analyze the relative success of leadership contenders in small groups in obtaining cooperation of the other members and resolving the struggle for leadership. The analyses reveal the importance of transcending symbolic divisions in leadership emergence. (JMF)

Describes the organization and operating policies of the Vocational Instructional Materials Section (VIM) in the New and Related Services Division of the American Vocational Association (AVA). VIM was established in 1969 to give organization and visibility to instructional materials development personnel within AVA. (MF)

Looks at five major types of research into organizational communication and compares them in terms of their suitability and effectiveness. (MH)

Defines management by objectives as a technique enabling administrators to address themselves directly to the goals of the institution, to delegate responsibilities to meet these objectives, and realize internal accountability. Presents a rationale for the system, results of surveys and research projects investigating management problems and…

The purposes of this study were to identify key communicators within a sample of Research and Development laboratories, to explore those factors which motivate individuals to assume and maintain the role of key communicators, and to derive implications for further study of the characteristics of key communicators in R & D laboratories. (Author)

Examines various ways of reducing upward communication distortion and concludes that the communication channel used is a significant variable in the upward communication process. (MH)

Presents a "real life" business communication problem as a basis for class discussion. Suggests ways in which students can be encouraged to develop a persuasive solution. Refers to a checklist of various content possibilities for an effective sales letter. Includes figures and a copy of the actual announcement sent. (JD)

Presents an in-depth review of the market research approach of a comprehensive financial community. Discusses the applied corporate findings when author was Vice President, Corporate Communications, Midland-Ross Corporation. Suggests that the basic concept is applicable to any publicly traded company whose senior management desires a more…

Investigates knowledge and skill areas important to agency/firm and organizational public relations employers. Offers recommendations for the development of public relations education programs and accreditation standards meeting the needs of today's marketplace. (NKA)

Proposes a new model--the extended model--for firms to respond to consumer complaint letters. Indicates that aspects of response, such as interest in solving the problem and specificity affect effectiveness judgments and impact on the recipient's overall impression of the company. (NKA)

Finds that user responses to a pilot test of a voice mail system were generally favorable and that training and usage aids were effective. Recommends the continuation of voice mail and identifies improved "intershift" communication as an important advantage. (JD)

Common threads have emerged in recent faculty-president disputes, reflecting a widening gulf between faculty eager to increase their influence and administrators under pressure from a variety of constituents to raise money, improve academic quality, control tuition costs, and maintain enrollment. (Author/MSE)