Responds to an article in the same issue of this journal which defends the applied value of laboratory studies to managers. Agrees that external validity is often irrelevant, and maintains that the problem of making inferences from any subject sample in management communication is one that demands internal, not external, validity. (SR)

Defines and reviews the literature on organizational commitment and identification. Reports an empirical study which found that commitment and identification correlated consistently and similarly with relevant attitudinal, tenure, and demographic variables. Concludes that communication scholars are advised to refer to identification as a process…

Provides suggestions for creating a professional image for camps that includes paying attention to the first impressions of campers and their families, the importance of staff telephone etiquette and public speaking abilities, and the use of directional signs to help campers find their way around the facility. (LP)

Combines public relations practice and total quality management improvement stages to create a philosophy and set of strategies to assist practitioners' understanding of the challenges and response options available to them as part of improving service quality. (SR)

Discusses fundamental problems in selecting an approach to organizational communications; the purpose of an organizational communication course; the structure and content of organizational communication coursework; and teaching strategies used in the basic course in organizational communication. (RS)

Explores the degree to which individual differences, in general, and aggressive communication traits, in particular, influenced employees' dissent-strategy selections. Surveys employees using a self-report instrument describing their levels of verbal aggressiveness, argumentativeness, and expression of dissent concerning organizational practices…

Finds (1) that corporate use of certainty in public business discourse is not affected by organizational profitability status or industry type; (2) a significant difference in the use of certainty exists between corporate oral and written communications; and (3) the use of certainty in corporate public business discourse does not differ…

Explores work environment assessment when the employees are asked to offer their assessment. A sample survey is provided along with an explanation of its components and tips on analyzing the work environment data collected. (GR)

Approaches the study of emotions in organizations holistically, based on a proposed framework. Provides descriptive data that suggests the presence of the framework's major elements. States that future examination of emotions based on this framework should assist in understanding emotions, which are frequently ignored in a rational model. (PA)

Proposes a model of organizational change by describing organizational change as a discursive process, sparked by a rhetorical conflict in an organization's narratives and images. Examines the educational assumptions and theories that structured a training course used by a company that was restructuring and reorganizing. (SG)

Considers how crisis situations can cause internal and external stakeholders to question the legitimacy of organizations. Notes that when faced with a crisis, organizations are compelled to communicate strategically with stakeholders to manage legitimacy. Synthesizes literature on organizational legitimacy, crisis management, and niche-width…

Discusses possible leveling of status differentials within organizations, examining differential address forms (using first name or title/last name). Explores the pivotal role of naming in elaborating/leveling status differences, shifts in norms regarding naming within corporations, and how the social dynamics of naming illuminate inherent…

States that recent developments in critical organization studies suggest that feminist theory and research provide an additional domain of inquiry. Explores the intersection of feminism and postmodernism and its potential value for organizational communication studies. Suggests the concept of gendered rationality as a useful way of framing this…

Finds limited usefulness of the demographic variables in explaining communication satisfaction reaffirms for the importance of viewing organizational communication within the contingency framework finds the communication satisfaction framework provided a useful tool for explaining end-product variables and was more effective in explaining job…

Reviews relevant literature in the areas of communication and innovation and explores how efforts toward innovative practices are directly related to globalism and business strategy. Focuses on issues associated with national culture, corporate culture, and professional culture that are relevant to strategies for researching business communication…