Notes important discrepancies between the metaphor of relationship management and how public relations models are conceptualized and measured. Argues that public relations models need to be measured at the relational level, rather than being aggregated across publics and relational stages. Argues that an adequate normative theory of organizational…

Presents a framework for the definition and enactment of federated processes involving different organizations and/or different parts of the same organization, focusing on the co-ordination and information-exchange aspects. Provides an overview of popular distributed object architectures and their impact on process-centered environments, and…

Discusses the concept of outsourcing in libraries and suggests that it is done for the cosmetic appearance of fiscal economies. Highlights include the possibility of achieving better service quality, but at a higher cost; and the importance of keeping management informed about and aware of the value of library services. (LRW)

Contributes to scholarship advancing understanding communication by identifying theoretically coherent and empirically robust dimensions (separation, concurrency, and flexibility) underlying work group members' perception of time. Finds that work groups differ in theoretically meaningful ways with regard to time orientation and that their varied…

Tells a personal tale of a conflicted feminist self and how using such individual tensions can inform organizational communication. Explores the ongoing evolution of a reluctant feminist identity through organizational micropractices that spur and impede alignment with feminisms. Presents a particular standpoint on the strained connection between…

Electronic meeting-support (EMS) software is a collection of computer tools that makes meetings more productive and is helping to redefine corporate and organizational decision making. EMS is groupware that speeds the pace of meetings, actively engages participants, and elicits high-quality input from participants. (JOW)

Finds that, of the disciplines under discussion in this special issue, corporate communication is the newest, least understood, and the only one specifically related to a functional area within organizations. Defines corporate communication as a discipline. Examines how it relates to other subdisciplines under consideration (management…

Notes that the field of communication is gaining momentum and respect. Points out that the task of definition for any field of study is one of process. Discusses the four position articles presented in this special issue. (PA)

Argues that some of the disciplinary distinctions proposed in the lead articles of this special issue actually represent aspects of theory or practice that are fundamental to all four fields. Examines what is deemphasized to suggest where attention may be needed--in particular, disciplinary relationships with organizations and disciplinary…

Compares three differing explanations of the dynamic interrelationships between internal and external innovation-related communication in a new organizational form. Considers how the "communication stars" explanation suggests that individuals maintain similar levels of communication in both networks. Indicates that there was a lagged…

Discusses India's new direction and the persistent and insistent demand for public relations. Explains the strategic plan of the professional body in running the gauntlet in this new milieu and the pertinaciousness and urgency of the challenges ahead for public relations. (SC)

Studied the email use of a set of disparate organizations to devise a multi-dimensional positioning model, for practical use by managers to understand their organizations' present use of email on four dimensions: information management, people influences, corporate culture, and knowledge management. The email questionnaire and interviewing…

Notes that recent public relations theory has largely ignored inactive publics, stakeholder groups that demonstrate low levels of knowledge and involvement in the organization or its products, services, candidates, or causes, but are important to an organization. Examines the nature of inactive publics and proposes a model that locates inactive…

Presents an interview with experts on performance documentation. Suggests that educators should strive to represent performance appraisal writing to students in a way that reflects the way it is perceived and evaluated in the workplace. Concludes that educators can enrich their pedagogy with practice by helping students understand the importance…

Using advice from experienced higher education officials, discusses how colleges and universities can guide staff and colleagues through a tragedy with flexibility, good communication skills, and compassion. (EV)