Creating a physical education department web site is an excellent way to promote a positive image of the program, because students and parents are able to find important information and improve the lines of communication. A well-designed physical education web site can even encourage students to increase their physical activity levels. Improved…

This study analyzes parent and professional organizations' effectiveness in national special education policy from 1975 to the present. Of specific interest are the relationships between groups' policy victories, how groups construct their political messages, and organizational characteristics. The research is significant in that it is one of the…

Social constructivism provides the framework for exploring communities of practice and storytelling at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) in this applied theory paper. A brief overview of traditional learning and development efforts as well as the current knowledge sharing initiative is offered. In addition, a conceptual plan…

This paper synthesizes conceptual and empirical literature on organizational learning interventions based on dialogue. First, I attempt to delineate the concept of dialogue and to explain its relevance to organizational learning. Examples and arguments in support of dialogic learning initiatives are presented. Organizational realities and…

Institutional sociology has many of its roots in psychological concepts. This discussion postulates that elements from the work of modern psychologists, current communications research, and management theory can be synthesized to produce a "psycho-organizational" approach, which may be applied to improving staff communication in libraries.…

The background and method of play of a game designed to study communication behavior in the organizational setting of a factory. (DAG)

Investigates the organizational factors and individual characteristics associated with school districts that develop and maintain exemplary collegial and collaborative relationships among elementary school principals. Discusses four salient themes associated with collegial and collaborative relationships among principals: formal organizational…

Finds that when uncertainty is low, low differentiators form proportionally more intraorganizational links than do high differentiators, but when uncertainty is high, high differentiators form proportionally more intraorganizational links than do low differentiators; also, low differentiators generally rely more on vertical links when uncertainty…

Investigates how organizational and communicative factors differ for a technical innovation and a community-based innovation within a large, technically-oriented governmental organization. Finds that complexity, persuasion, interpersonal channel use, and interpersonal channel utility were rated more highly for the technical innovation, and…

States that issues management has been around for 20 years, but has failed to achieve the widespread attention it deserves. Offers possible reasons for its failure, including being a victim of its own success. Provides an updated literature survey on the subject. Reviews how public policy process works and how issues develop. Describes various…

Points out that consumer product recalls are a pervasive phenomenon of enormous consequence: (1) product recalls are quantitatively and qualitatively significant; (2) product recalls vary in effectiveness; (3) numerous variables influence recall effectiveness; and (4) despite the great variance in recall outcome, and the plethora of variables, it…

Claims that the debate over research in professional communication is grounded in ideology. Discusses the ideology of two research perspectives: functionalist and critical interpretive. Sets recent discussions in professional communication in a functionalist framework, then posits that a critical interpretive ideology provides an alternative.…

Discusses how organizations can cope with opposition and thwart unsound pressures for change. Advocates knowing the situation and the climate, knowing the people involved, knowing the adversaries, knowing what to do, and knowing how to do it. (SR)

Responds to an article in an earlier issue of this journal. Discusses the state of theorizing in the field of organizational communication. (SR)