An effective camp marketing strategy should address both parents' and children's concerns that influence decisions about camp. Includes strategies for developing a targeted message through print media or video that addresses these concerns and persuades families to choose camp. Stresses the importance of following up with parents and children. (LP)

Large, flashy college fund drives may be falling out of favor with alumni and friends of the institution. Advancement professionals recount their experiences and suggest ways to adapt campaigns to new needs and environments. Inherent problems with large campaigns are enumerated, and the importance of clear communication to audiences on and off…

An informal survey of college editors via electronic mail (e-mail) found that many felt inter- and intrainstitutional e-mail was an efficient method of communication but also elicited some concerns. Some respondents noted it did not replace face-to-face communication; flaming and overload were also noted as negatives of e-mail. (MSE)

Asks how technical writing teachers can better prepare students for careers. States that corporations want employees who can work together on teams, solve problems, and communicate. Explains that this requirement is due to the modern style of business which focuses on information and a horizontal management structure. States that writing should be…

Responds to an article in this issue regarding the challenge of interdisciplinary research. Suggests that the primary motivation for avoiding interdisciplinary research is political, not epistemological. (SR)

Outlines a five-step, reality-based process for dealing with special-interest groups: (1) value controversy; (2) know the school district's mission; (3) identify the interest groups; (4) choose an appropriate strategy--evasion, conciliation, bargaining, opposition, or consensus; and (5) periodically evaluate how the district has handled issues.…

Describes Confucianism, identifying it as a major cultural factor explaining the economic success of Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, and Taiwan. Explores the impact of Confucianism on the organizational communication in these nations, based on four key principles of Confucian teachings: the hierarchial relationship, the family system,…

Posits that organizations in crisis situations must address multiple audiences with distinct needs. Analyzes the public communication offered by Jack in the Box restaurants during a food poisoning outbreak. Finds that ambiguity may provide organizations with a means for satisfying the divergent needs of their audiences--even where these distinct…

Investigates the relationship between people's orientation toward independent and interdependent self-construals and the perceived importance of three interactive constraints in organizational communication situations. Indicates that self-construals are systematically related to perceptions of the importance of clarity, efforts to avoid hurting…

The University of Michigan sponsored a 2-day, institution-wide exposition of quality management efforts, which included 64 exhibits staffed by university employees. The underlying principles, planning stages, evidence that the expo was successful, lessons learned, plans for similar future efforts, and ways to obtain further information about this…

Uses social exchange theory to examine the process by which employees are dismissed from organizations. Examines interview data from an exploratory study that suggests managers are influenced by information from group members as they calculate a cost-benefit ratio for the employer-employee relationship. Indicates a progression of communication…

Discusses general issues involved in conflict management and provides more specific examples of conflict management in libraries. Causes of conflict are considered, including organizational structure, departmentalization, performance appraisal, poor communication, and technological change; and methods of dealing with conflict are described,…

Reports on a survey of personnel directors regarding their familiarity with, opinions of, and recommendations for the organizational communication major. Finds that, although few employers are familiar with the major, many employers would be interested in hiring an organizational communication graduate if they knew what graduates from such…

The X.500 Directory Service provides a mechanism for finding information about people, organizations, services, network hardware, and more in the global network environment. Issues involved in X.500 participation by an organization include management support, data gathering, rights and concerns of individuals, access control, privacy, accuracy,…

Discusses quality management principles as taught by W. Edwards Deming and describes their applications to educational technology services. Traditional organizational charts are explained; and benefits of using flow charts in Deming's systems are described, including better communications between departments, building teamwork, and opportunities…