Presents staff tools for dealing with upset campers whose parents are divorced or separating, such as acknowledging and listening. Gives tips and sample legal language on how to determine marital status and parenting arrangements; whom to call with questions; and which parent can enroll, visit, authorize medical treatment for, and pay the bill for…

Elaborates and evaluates a sociolinguistic framework for the study of writing. Discusses application of the framework to the writing that takes place at a local government office. Finds that the workplace constitutes a communicative group of the local-public type, where communication is socially based and hierarchically structured with both spoken…

Notes that the divisionary effect of formal corporate models that standardize collaborative processes is particularly problematic for World Wide Web hypertexts, which require ongoing, dynamic collaborations among professionals with diverse specializations. Examines collaborative processes through theory and two Web project teams interactions: one…

Provides advice to universities on communicating research. Before controversy, they should: be ready, know the plan, teach researchers and administrators how to talk to reporters, prepare general background materials, and use the Web. During controversy, they should: do triage, tell the whole story, use the moment, remember internal audiences, be…

Presents three perspectives on whiteness that have important implications for power in organizations. Offers a textual analysis of diversity management magazine and journal articles. Notes that "interrogating whiteness" works to name, unmask, and de-center whiteness; while "re-centering whiteness" recognizes difference yet ultimately keeps…

Examines factors that differentiate among frequent and occasional users of electronic mail for the purpose of developing a profile of users to help organizations develop strategies for increasing system usage. Finds that frequent users are significantly different from occasional users on all of the five factors studied. (KEH)

Isolation of the college public affairs office from the institution's decision-making process is commonplace, either unintentionally or by design. Specific recommendations offered by creative public relations professionals can help officers avoid isolation from four important groups: the college president, campus, community, and staff. (MSE)

This article confronts the tension between creative expression and organizational realities in the workplace. It offers tips on diagnosing such components of the work setting as personal potential and ambition, supervisors' roles, colleagues' roles, organizational culture, and other variables that may influence the success of one's innovations in…

Examines one organization's complex rhetorical processing aimed at shaping ethical conduct of newcomers. Reveals a strategy of evoking identification to the organization through a series of strategically focused identifications which culminate in an attempt to shape commitment to a set of organizational values. (KEH)

Examines change in the United States Forest Service, an organization lauded for its ability to control members through its culture. Describes current control practices, and field tests three theoretical claims regarding unobtrusive control. Finds that control practices have changed from more unobtrusive to more obtrusive. Illustrates the pragmatic…

Analyzes organizational communication about AIDS in the workplace, using the case of a highly publicized AIDS crisis in a large midwestern hospital. Discusses the case, the hospital's responses (included), and the current status of the organization. Highlights the need for a careful balance between patient confidentiality and employee protection.…

The first paper describes the National Technical Information Service productivity improvement system and its emphasis on human resources development. The second addresses the benefits of telecommuting to employers and employees. The third discusses the problems generated by the baby boom work force pressing for advancement at a time when many…

Institutional researchers can use cognitive psychology theory and research to improve their support of academic decision-makers and to improve how information is communicated and used. (Author/MSE)

Compares two contrasting perspectives of social contagion processes (structural equivalence and cohesion) associated with the organizational outcome variables of commitment and role ambiguity in organizations. Finds that structural equivalence was more associated with role ambiguity and that commitment was more associated with cohesion. (MS)

Describes the steps involved in the action research model of planned organizational change and presents a modified model for teacher librarians in public school systems. An example of a problem and the steps needed to resolve that problem are provided. (9 references) (CLB)