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Chapter: 10 -Problem: 2 >> What is the role of leadership in organizational change? Which of the models of leadership discussed in this chapter are most appropriate for times of change? Would the different models advocate different kinds of leadership communication during planned change?
Answer Preview: The role of leadership in organizational change is to provide direction and to ensure that …

, Chapter: 10 -Problem: 3 >> In what ways is leadership a “language game” and a process of “managing meaning”? How does communication content and style influence this language game? How do leaders manage meaning through framing techniques?
Answer Preview: Lead ership is a " language game " in that it is a process of communicating with and influencing oth…

, Chapter: 5 -Problem: 1 >> How do the approaches considered in this chapter move away from the container metaphor of organization? Does this shift make sense to you? How does it comport with the ways in which we talk about organizations in our daily lives? Are there ways we can reconcile these two modes of thought by considering the container as a helpful social construction?
Answer Preview: The container metaphor of organization pos its that organizations are like containers , with clear b…

, Chapter: 9 -Problem: 4 >> What do you think about the feminist reframing of conflict? Is it possible to recast an idea like “conflict” in a way that emphasizes mutuality and collaboration? What are the implications of this reframing for organizational practice?
Answer Preview: As someone who generally believes in the importance of equality between genders, I think that the fe…

, Chapter: 11 -Problem: 2 >> How is the experience and expression of emotion different in different types of jobs? Compare, for example, emotion in the work of a minister, a store clerk, and a data processor. Are the emotional demands of some jobs more challenging than others?
Answer Preview: The experience and expression of emotion is different in different types of jobs because the emotional demands of some jobs are more challenging than …

, Chapter: 12 -Problem: 1 >> What have your experiences told you about the differences in organizational life for white men and for women and people of color? If you are a white male, do you believe these differences are real and viable? If you are a woman or a person of color (or both), do you think your workplace experiences are influenced by your gender, culture, or ethnicity? How do factors such as disability and sexual o
Answer Preview: There are definitely differences in organizational life for white men and for women and people of co…

, Chapter: 8 -Problem: 3 >> How do the dynamics of the communication process shift when we move from decision-making among individuals in an organization to collaboration among multiple organizations or groups? How can technology facilitate—or perhaps impeded—the collaboration process?
Answer Preview: The dynamics of the communication process shift when we move from decision - making among individual…

, Chapter: 3 -Problem: 3 >> In Chapter 2, we noted that the classical approach follows a machine metaphor, and in this chapter, we associated human relations theorists with a family metaphor. What metaphor would you use to describe the human resources approach? What are the strengths and weaknesses of the metaphor you propose?
Answer Preview: The human resources approach to organizations emphasizes the importance of human capital in organiza…

, Chapter: 2 -Problem: 1 >> What aspects of a classical approach to organizing are revealed by the machine metaphor? What aspects are concealed or obscured? Are there other metaphors for organization and communication that could shed more light on how classical theorists thought about organizational communication?
Answer Preview: The machine metaphor reveals several aspects of a classical approach to organizing . One is the idea that organizations can be designed and operated l…

, Chapter: 5 -Problem: 3 >> Do you think The Four Flows are all necessary conditions for an organization to exist? Do you think they are sufficient conditions? Can you think of an example of an organization that exists without one of the four flows? Can you think of an example when the four flows are present, but you wouldn’t call it an organization?
Answer Preview: 1. Do you think The Four Flows are all necessary conditions for an organization to exist? No, The Fo…

, Chapter: 12 -Problem: 3 >> What do you think about affirmative action programs—both at the university level and in the workplace? Are these programs important to increasing diversity? Is affirmative action an equitable way of dealing with this issue?
Answer Preview: There is no single answer to this question . Some people believe that affirmative action programs ar…

, Chapter: 4 -Problem: 4 >> Think about an organization you know well. This could be a workplace, a church, or perhaps the school you attend. How could a network approach help you better understand relationships in this organization? What would you look for in developing a cultural profile of this organization? How would these approaches help you develop a more comprehensive understanding of this organization?
Answer Preview: The term network can be used to describe both the physical infrastructure of an organization and the relationships between individuals within that org…

, Chapter: 3 -Problem: 1 >> A great deal of research has discredited many of the findings from the Hawthorne studies. Given this research, why were the Hawthorne studies influential when they were conducted? Are they still influential today? Why or why not?
Answer Preview: The Hawth orne studies were a series of experiments conducted at the Western Electric Company 's Hawth orne Works factory in Cic ero , Illinois from …

, Chapter: 4 -Problem: 2 >> What aspects of the systems metaphor are highlighted in a network approach to organizational communication? What aspects are highlighted in a sensemaking approach?
Answer Preview: A network approach to organizational communication emphasizes the interconnected ness of individual…

, Chapter: 2 -Problem: 2 >> What are areas of similarity and difference among the three major theorists considered in this chapter? Are the ideas of Fayol, Weber, and Taylor still relevant for today’s organizations? Why or why not?
Answer Preview: F ay ol , Weber , and Taylor are the three major theorists who are considered in this chapter . All …

, Chapter: 8 -Problem: 5 >> How are people and data linked in systems of knowledge management? Can you think of a job you have had in which your tacit knowledge regarding the culture or improvisational options was different from the explicit knowledge available to organizational decision-makers? How can these two kinds of knowledge be linked through organizational communication processes?
Answer Preview: There are many ways in which people and data can be linked in systems of knowledge management . One …

, Chapter: 9 -Problem: 5 >> Would you want to have an organization that is free of conflict? Why or why not?
Answer Preview: Organizational conflict can be described as the interactions between individuals in an organization …

, Chapter: 4 -Problem: 1 >> How do the concepts of “organizational systems” and “organizational cultures” move us away from the practice-based ideas advocated by classical, human relations, and human resources approaches? Would it be possible to describe an organization run through the principles of classical, human relations, or human resources approaches using a systems or cultural lens?
Answer Preview: Organ izational systems and organizational cultures are both ways of thinking about organizations th…

, Chapter: 11 -Problem: 1 >> How does a consideration of emotion change the way we view basic processes of organizational life, such as conflict, decision making, socialization, and organizational change? Is it possible to balance concerns for rationality and emotion? How can this be accomplished?
Answer Preview: Organ izational life is full of emotion . From the stress of meeting deadlines to the joy of a job well done , emotion is ever present in the workplac…

, Chapter: 1 -Problem: 1 >> How have organizations that you work in or have dealings with been affected by issues such as globalization, terrorism, climate change, and changing demographics? How do these issues have different effects on different people and different kinds of organizations?
Answer Preview: In the current global environment , organizations are affected by a number of issues such as globali…

, Chapter: 1 -Problem: 2 >> Consider how airports deal with homeland security. What organizational communication processes have changed as a result of the threat of terrorism? Do you think airports and airlines have dealt effectively with these changes? Why or why not?
Answer Preview: Organ izational communication processes have changed significantly as a result of the threat of terr…

, Chapter: 1 -Problem: 3 >> What kinds of organizational structures and processes stem from globalization? Why are these new structures and processes necessary? How do they enhance—or detract from—the quality of life for individuals working in or with the organizations?
Answer Preview: Organ izational structures and processes are constantly evolving in response to a variety of factors , including globalization . In a global ized worl…

, Chapter: 8 -Problem: 4 >> Is organizational democracy merely autopian goal or is it something that can be achieved in the workplace? What steps would you take to make an organization that you’re a part of more democratic?
Answer Preview: Organ izational democracy is something that can be achieved in the workplace . To make an organizati…

, Chapter: 9 -Problem: 2 >> Do you believe that you exhibit a typical conflict style? If so, why do you think you use that style? Are there aspects of a situation or of the other parties in a conflict that influence the conflict style you use?
Answer Preview: I wouldn't say that I exhibit a typical conflict style, but I do think that I am usually pretty goo…

, Chapter: 9 -Problem: 3 >> What are the differences between integrative and distributive strategies in conflict situations? Why would you use one type of strategy over another? What are the costs of using each of these strategies?
Answer Preview: Integ rative and distribut ive strategies are two different approaches that can be used in conflict …

, Chapter: 13 -Problem: 1 >> Reflect on changes in communication technology during your lifetime. Are there communication technologies you use now that were not available when you were a child? What about changes experienced by your parents or grandparents? Do you think the pace of technological change is increasing or decreasing?
Answer Preview: a. I can say that my life has been better in many ways because of …

, Chapter: 10 -Problem: 1 >> Organizational change can be an anxiety-producing process. What are ways that change can be managed to reduce the level of anxiety experienced by organizational participants? Are there times when uncertainty and anxiety about change might be a good thing?
Answer Preview: There are a few ways to manage organizational change in order to reduce anxiety levels among participants . First , it is important to communicate the …

, Chapter: 8 -Problem: 1 >> Think about a decision you’ve recently made. Did you make that decision in a rational and logical way? If yes, how did you structure your decision-making process? If no, in what ways was your decision-making process not rational?
Answer Preview: I recently decided to quit my job . I had been considering it for a while , and I weighed the pros a…

, Chapter: 11 -Problem: 3 >> As a student, you sometimes experience stress and burnout. How do your experiences compare with the discussion of stress and burnout in this chapter? How do you scope with stress and burnout as a student?
Answer Preview: As a student , I can definitely relate to the discussion of stress and burn out in this c…

, Chapter: 7 -Problem: 3 >> If you worked for the career center on campus, what advice would you give to individuals signing up for job interviews? What advice would you give to organizations interviewing candidates on your campus? How could the interview process be improved so it would be more productive— and less stressful—for all involved?
Answer Preview: Individuals signing up for job interviews should: - Make sure they are well rested and have eaten before the interview - Dress professionally - Arrive …

, Chapter: 6 -Problem: 3 >> If you are a woman, do the studies of feminist organizing described in this chapter ring true for you? Do you have other stories about the challenges of being a woman in a patriarchal organization? If you are a man, are these studies revealing to you? Do you think men suffer from similar constraints in the workplace?
Answer Preview: It is difficult to general ize about the experiences of women in patriarchal organizations , as there is significant variation depending on factors su…

, Chapter: 4 -Problem: 3 >> Why is “organizational culture” such a powerful concept for both practicing managers and those who want to have insight into organizational functioning? In what ways does this metaphor for organizing provide a better (or at least different) lens for looking at organizations than other metaphors we’ve considered in this book?
Answer Preview: Organ izational culture is a shared understanding of an organization 's values , beliefs , and behaviours . This shared understanding can help manage…

, Chapter: 13 -Problem: 3 >> Consider all the effects of communication technology discussed in this chapter. What do you see as the most positive effects? What effects are indicative of a dark side to communication technology? Given your beliefs about technology, would you consider yourself to be a “utopian” or a “Luddite”?
Answer Preview: a. The most positive effect is called a Lifeworld, which is the sphere of life in which hum…

, Chapter: 6 -Problem: 2 >> Think about how the terminology used in an organization or the stories told in an organization contribute to power imbalances. What are ways of fighting against these imbalances?
Answer Preview: There are a variety of ways that terminology and stories can contribute to power im bal ances within an organization . One way is by perpet uating neg…

, Chapter: 7 -Problem: 2 >> Think about organizations you have worked for or groups you have been a part of. To what extent do your experiences reflect the stages of socialization discussed in this chapter?
Answer Preview: The social ization process is a key part of organizations and groups . It is the process through whi…

, Chapter: 12 -Problem: 4 >> Has the challenge of balancing home and work life been an issue in your family? If you are a traditional college-aged student, how did this issue play out as you were growing up? Will the way your parents dealt with this issue influence your career and work choices?
Answer Preview: The challenge of balancing home and work life has been an issue in my family . My parents always wor…

, Chapter: 2 -Problem: 3 >> Thinking ahead to ideas beyond classical approaches to organizing, what are your major critiques of these ideas? How do you think the theories presented in this chapter misrepresent the nature of both people and organizations?
Answer Preview: 1. One major critique of these ideas is that they do not take into account the complex nature of hum…

, Chapter: 1 -Problem: 4 >> How would each of the communication domains considered in this chapter approach the organizational issues that arose in the aftermath of events such as the BP oil spill, the Boston Marathon bombings, or tornadoes that often strike the midsection of the United States? How do these different lenses help us understand the complexity of organizational communication processes?
Answer Preview: The different communication domains considered in this chapter can be used to approach the organizat…

, Chapter: 5 -Problem: 2 >> How are the Montreal School’s ideas of text and conversation related to structuration theory, discourse approaches to organizing, and the general social constructionist movement? What are the most central concepts that unite these various positions? How does the theorizing of the Montreal School move beyond these ideas?
Answer Preview: The Montreal School 's ideas of text and conversation are related to struct uration theory , discou…

, Chapter: 3 -Problem: 2 >> In jobs you have had, what aspects of the workplace did you find particularly satisfying? What role did managers have in making the organization a satisfying place? How do your experiences, then, fit in with the ideas of Abraham Maslow and Douglas McGregor?
Answer Preview: I have found that the most satisfying aspects of the workplace are those that allow for autonomy, cr…

, Chapter: 6 -Problem: 1 >> Many abstract concepts are important to critical work in organizational communication. How do these concepts fit together? For example, how is ideology related to hegemony? How is power related to discourse? How is emancipation related to resistance?
Answer Preview: Abstract concepts are important to critical work in organizational communication because they provide a way to understand and analyze the complexities …

, Chapter: 3 -Problem: 4 >> Is the human resources approach more appropriate for some kinds of jobs and organizations than others? Why or why not? Can human resources principles be adapted for a variety of workplaces?
Answer Preview: The human resources approach is more appropriate for some kinds o…

, Chapter: 13 -Problem: 2 >> Which ideas about communication media use seems most appropriate for describing the process through which you choose what technology to use? Are you rational in your choices? Are you swayed by what others say about a technology or the symbolic value of the technology?
Answer Preview: a. The ideas include: i) You prefer to use technologies you are comfortable with ii) You rely on the …

, Chapter: 7 -Problem: 1 >> Anticipatory socialization is a process that begins early in childhood as kids learn about work, careers, and organizations. When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up? How realistic were your aspirations? How have they changed based on anticipatory socialization processes?
Answer Preview: When I was a child , I wanted to be a doctor . I thought it would be amazing to help people and save …

, Chapter: 9 -Problem: 1 >> Conflict is defined in this chapter as requiring the “three I’s”: incompatible goals, interdependence, and interaction. Why are these three components necessary? What situations might arise when only one or two of these components are present?
Answer Preview: The three components are necessary because they are all required for conflict to …

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11 Reviews for Organizational Communication Approaches And Processes Textbook Questions And Answers