abstract: In a mere thirty years, hospice has grown from a purely ideological philosophy of care for terminally ill individuals and their families, to a large and well organized healthcare entity. And government statistics project that healthcare will generate more new jobs than any other industry in America until at least 2018. While most of the extant literature that has been published on healthcare workers has focused on negative organizational processes, such as stress and burnout, there has been a recent shift in scholarly ideology in which researchers have been challenged to consider the positive aspects of organizational life as well. Compassion, theorized as a three-part interrelated process, is one area that is garnering interest within organizational studies. Utilizing grounded theory, this study engaged literature from organizational studies on emotional labor, stress, and burnout, as well as literature on positive organizational communication. What emerged from the data is a richly detailed picture of the emotional highs and lows that hospice workers experience in their jobs. Research was conducted at two large hospices in the desert southwest, utilized qualitative methods of participant observation (161 hours), and informal and semi-structured interviews (29 interviews) as a means to understand hospice workers--nurses (32), nursing assistants (23), social workers (14), and spiritual care providers (4)--experiences of emotion. Through data analysis, compassion emerged as a salient concept in worker's daily experiences. Yet, my data suggested a reconceptualization of the way in which compassion has been theorized in the past--as noticing, feeling, and responding. Based on my findings, I argue that the three subprocesses could more accurately be described recognizing, relating, and responding. / Dissertation/Thesis / Ph.D. Communication 2010

O objetivo de construir possíveis soluções para a crise ambiental mobilizou diferentes setores da sociedade e gerou demandas por atitudes sustentáveis e transparência no tratamento de informações por parte das organizações. Frente esse cenário, cresce a participação do empresariado no debate sobre o futuro do planeta. É nesse contexto que surge a Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), em 1997. Dada a importância assumida pelos relatórios de sustentabilidade, em especial pelo modelo GRI, revela-se fundamental compreendê-los como espaço em que as organizações se definem com relação aos seus públicos (BALDISSERA, 2008b). Nessa direção, a presente dissertação tem como objetivo geral problematizar os sentidos de diálogo atualizados pelo GRI-G4, em perspectiva da comunicação organizacional. Isto é, a intenção é evidenciar a potencialidade do diálogo para desdobramentos e implicações nesse contexto sociocultural. Dessa forma, adotamos, como referencial metodológico, a Hermenêutica de Profundidade (HP), proposta por Thompson (1995), que sugere a utilização de três dimensões de análise: análise sócio-histórica, análise formal ou discursiva e reinterpretação. A fim de compor a fase de análise sócio-histórica (THOMPSON, 1995), iniciamos nossas reflexões sobre diálogo a partir de Buber (2001; 2009) e Bakhtin (1992; 1999). Ao entrarmos no contexto organizacional, partimos dos estudos de Bohm (2005) para pensar as possibilidades do diálogo nas organizações Na sequência, discutimos a conformação da noção de sustentabilidade (LEFF, 2008) e a necessidade de mudança para a compreensão da sustentabilidade em sentido complexo (CAPRA, 2006). Utilizamos a técnica de Análise de Conteúdo (AC), proposta por Bardin (2011), para cumprir com a etapa de análise formal ou discursiva e analisar os relatórios publicados pela Alcoa, Fibria, Itaú e Natura, selecionados conforme critérios que serão apresentados no capítulo seis. Os resultados dessas diferentes dimensões de análise foram cruzados a fim de fazerem emergir novas percepções sobre os relatórios modelo GRI, atendendo à dimensão de reinterpretação (THOMPSON, 1995). Considerando os resultados encontrados, vimos que, de forma geral, há interesse das organizações em estabelecer relações com seus públicos, entretanto, as únicas formas possíveis de contato não permitem que sejam estabelecidas conversações e, muito menos, situações dialógicas. Além disso, atentamos para o fato de que, com base nos autores que acionamos em termos de comunicação organizacional, diálogo, e diálogo nas organizações, o diálogo – no sentido que adotamos nesta pesquisa – pouco se materializa no âmbito organizacional. / The objective of building possible solutions to the environmental crisis mobilized different sectors of society and generated demands for sustainable attitudes and transparency in the treatment of information by organizations. Facing this scenario, the participation of business people in the debate about the future of the planet grows. It is in this context that the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) arises in 1997. Given the importance of sustainability reports, especially the GRI model, it is fundamental to understand them as a space in which organizations are defined in relation to Its audiences (BALDISSERA, 2008b). In this direction, the present dissertation has as general objective to problematize the (s) the senses of dialogue updated by the GRI-G4, in perspective of the organizational communication. That is, the intention is to highlight the potential of the dialogue for unfolding and implications in this sociocultural context. As a methodological reference, we use the Hermeneutics of Depth (HP), proposed by Thompson (1995), which suggests the use of three dimensions of analysis: socio-historical analysis, formal or discursive analysis and reinterpretation. In order to compose the socio-historical analysis phase (THOMPSON, 1995), we began our reflections on dialogue from Buber (2001; 2009) and Bakhtin (1992; 1999) When we enter the organizational context, we start with Bohm's (2005) studies to think about the possibilities of dialogue in organizations. In the sequence, we discuss the conformation of the notion of sustainability (LEFF, 2008) and the need to change to the understanding of sustainability in a complex sense (CAPRA, 2006). We used the Content Analysis (CA) technique, proposed by Bardin (2011), to comply with the formal or discursive analysis stage and to analyze the reports published by Alcoa, Fibria, Itaú and Natura, selected according to criteria that will be presented in chapter six. The results of these different dimensions of analysis were cross-referenced in order to create new perceptions about the GRI model reports, given the reinterpretation dimension (THOMPSON, 1995). Considering the results found, we have seen that, in general, there is an interest of the organizations in establishing relations with their public, however, the only possible forms of contact do not allow to be established conversations, and still less, dialogical situations. In addition, we take into account the fact that, based on the authors that we operate in terms of organizational communication, dialogue, and dialogue in organizations, dialogue - in the sense we have adopted in this research - does not materialize at organizational level.

abstract: This critical qualitative research study explores the discursive processes and patterns by which humor is gendered in hair salons and barbershops, in support of or resistance to hegemony, through an in-depth analysis and feminist critique of the humorous exchanges of hair stylists and barbers. This study extends prior feminist organizational research from Ashcraft and Pacanowsky (1996) regarding the participation of marginalized populations (i.e., women) in hegemonic processes, and argues that, despite changing cultural/demographic organizational trends, marginalized (as well as dominant) populations are still participating in hegemonic processes 20 years later. A focus on gendered humor via participant narratives reveals how various styles of gendered humor function to reinforce gender stereotypes, marginalize/exclude the "other" (i.e., women), and thus privilege hegemonic patterns of workplace discourse. This study contributes to existing feminist organizational scholarship by offering the unique juxtaposition of humor and gender from a diverse and understudied population, hair industry professionals. / Dissertation/Thesis / Doctoral Dissertation Communication Studies 2015

abstract: Scholarship and the popular press alike assert that, within the workplace and the world, there are distinct generational groups who are hallmarked by fundamental differences. Generational scholarship, undergirded by the priori assumption that generational differences must be managed, has become a well traversed field despite very little empirical evidence to substantiate the claims made about the attitudes, values, and beliefs of these purported generational cohorts. Scholars debate the veracity of generational characteristics, but few have taken critical approaches and noted the absence of theory and meta-discourse in the field. All the while, the over-simplified stereotypes are perpetuatued and employed in making fundamental decisions about the lives and work of the old and the young. In this dissertation, I present a grounded qualitative and phronetic study that offers a framework for a more nuanced approach to generational scholarship. Specifically, I employ qualitative methods and take a phronetic approach to examine young professionals’ (a) sensemaking of generational constructs and (b) identification/disidentification with generational archetypes. This dissertation reveals the ways in which participants made sense of popular generational archetypes as stereotypes or generalizations that exist in broad contexts of media and culture but are unconsidered in the workplace. Further, in the context of work, participants demonstrated very limited identification or disidentification with popular generational archetypes. Despite this, participants created and enacted generational differences in their workplaces based on age and tenure in the industry through the development of emergent archetypes. Methodologically, this dissertation demonstrates the utility of more emic approaches to generational scholarship and evidences the need for situated and needs based approaches. Theoretically, this dissertation demonstrates the utility of sensemaking and identification in generational scholarship. Moreover, the insights gleaned from these frameworks illustrate the need for the critical examinations in the field, and meta-discourse about our assumptions. / Dissertation/Thesis / Doctoral Dissertation Communication 2016

abstract: More than a decade after the events of September 11, the kinetic conflict between U.S. forces and Islamist extremist groups continues, albeit in a more limited fashion. In the post 9/11 decade there has been increased recognition that factors such as globalization, economic insecurity, regional political unrest, and the rapid advancement and diffusion of communication technologies will continue to influence the nature of international warfare for the foreseeable future. Industrial, interstate wars between sanctioned armies (Kilcullen, 2007; Tatham, 2008) is giving way to asymmetric forms of conflict exemplified by the conflict between the U.S. and its allies, and al Qaeda and ideological affiliates like al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (Kilcullen, 2004; Potomac Institute for Policy Studies, 2007). This shift has brought counterinsurgency (Petraeus, 2008) tactics to the forefront of policy discussion. A result of this focus on counterinsurgency efforts is increased interest in strategic communication (stratcom) (Nagl, Amos, Sewall, & Petraeus, 2008; Paul, 2009) and the function of narrative (Roberts, 2007) in kinetic conflict (Zalman, 2010). The U.S. has been said to be "losing the battle of narrative" to the extent that the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs has spoken of the need to "supplant the extremist narrative" (Mullen, 2009). Understanding how narrative functions in ideologically driven organizing (IDO) remains under developed, however. Little empirical research has examined how al Qaeda's use of narrative contributes to organizational success. Drawing on the tradition of narrative in organizational communication scholarship (Alvesson & Willmott, 2002; Ashcraft & Mumby, 2004) this project interrogates al Qaeda's use of narrative from an identity perspective, exploring the ways in which narrative is constitutive of identity at individual and organizational levels. The analysis focuses on public communication produced by al Qaeda, intended for various stakeholder audiences including potential recruits, the broader Muslim community, and adversaries such as the United States and its allies. This project makes practical contributions to U.S. public policy and countering violent extremism (CVE) efforts, offering rigorous empirical examination of the ways in which al Qaeda uses narrative to construct individual and organizational identity. Theoretical contributions are made by extending existing organizational scholarship into a currently under-developed area: ideologically driven conflict. / Dissertation/Thesis / Doctoral Dissertation Communication 2017

O objetivo de construir possíveis soluções para a crise ambiental mobilizou diferentes setores da sociedade e gerou demandas por atitudes sustentáveis e transparência no tratamento de informações por parte das organizações. Frente esse cenário, cresce a participação do empresariado no debate sobre o futuro do planeta. É nesse contexto que surge a Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), em 1997. Dada a importância assumida pelos relatórios de sustentabilidade, em especial pelo modelo GRI, revela-se fundamental compreendê-los como espaço em que as organizações se definem com relação aos seus públicos (BALDISSERA, 2008b). Nessa direção, a presente dissertação tem como objetivo geral problematizar os sentidos de diálogo atualizados pelo GRI-G4, em perspectiva da comunicação organizacional. Isto é, a intenção é evidenciar a potencialidade do diálogo para desdobramentos e implicações nesse contexto sociocultural. Dessa forma, adotamos, como referencial metodológico, a Hermenêutica de Profundidade (HP), proposta por Thompson (1995), que sugere a utilização de três dimensões de análise: análise sócio-histórica, análise formal ou discursiva e reinterpretação. A fim de compor a fase de análise sócio-histórica (THOMPSON, 1995), iniciamos nossas reflexões sobre diálogo a partir de Buber (2001; 2009) e Bakhtin (1992; 1999). Ao entrarmos no contexto organizacional, partimos dos estudos de Bohm (2005) para pensar as possibilidades do diálogo nas organizações Na sequência, discutimos a conformação da noção de sustentabilidade (LEFF, 2008) e a necessidade de mudança para a compreensão da sustentabilidade em sentido complexo (CAPRA, 2006). Utilizamos a técnica de Análise de Conteúdo (AC), proposta por Bardin (2011), para cumprir com a etapa de análise formal ou discursiva e analisar os relatórios publicados pela Alcoa, Fibria, Itaú e Natura, selecionados conforme critérios que serão apresentados no capítulo seis. Os resultados dessas diferentes dimensões de análise foram cruzados a fim de fazerem emergir novas percepções sobre os relatórios modelo GRI, atendendo à dimensão de reinterpretação (THOMPSON, 1995). Considerando os resultados encontrados, vimos que, de forma geral, há interesse das organizações em estabelecer relações com seus públicos, entretanto, as únicas formas possíveis de contato não permitem que sejam estabelecidas conversações e, muito menos, situações dialógicas. Além disso, atentamos para o fato de que, com base nos autores que acionamos em termos de comunicação organizacional, diálogo, e diálogo nas organizações, o diálogo – no sentido que adotamos nesta pesquisa – pouco se materializa no âmbito organizacional. / The objective of building possible solutions to the environmental crisis mobilized different sectors of society and generated demands for sustainable attitudes and transparency in the treatment of information by organizations. Facing this scenario, the participation of business people in the debate about the future of the planet grows. It is in this context that the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) arises in 1997. Given the importance of sustainability reports, especially the GRI model, it is fundamental to understand them as a space in which organizations are defined in relation to Its audiences (BALDISSERA, 2008b). In this direction, the present dissertation has as general objective to problematize the (s) the senses of dialogue updated by the GRI-G4, in perspective of the organizational communication. That is, the intention is to highlight the potential of the dialogue for unfolding and implications in this sociocultural context. As a methodological reference, we use the Hermeneutics of Depth (HP), proposed by Thompson (1995), which suggests the use of three dimensions of analysis: socio-historical analysis, formal or discursive analysis and reinterpretation. In order to compose the socio-historical analysis phase (THOMPSON, 1995), we began our reflections on dialogue from Buber (2001; 2009) and Bakhtin (1992; 1999) When we enter the organizational context, we start with Bohm's (2005) studies to think about the possibilities of dialogue in organizations. In the sequence, we discuss the conformation of the notion of sustainability (LEFF, 2008) and the need to change to the understanding of sustainability in a complex sense (CAPRA, 2006). We used the Content Analysis (CA) technique, proposed by Bardin (2011), to comply with the formal or discursive analysis stage and to analyze the reports published by Alcoa, Fibria, Itaú and Natura, selected according to criteria that will be presented in chapter six. The results of these different dimensions of analysis were cross-referenced in order to create new perceptions about the GRI model reports, given the reinterpretation dimension (THOMPSON, 1995). Considering the results found, we have seen that, in general, there is an interest of the organizations in establishing relations with their public, however, the only possible forms of contact do not allow to be established conversations, and still less, dialogical situations. In addition, we take into account the fact that, based on the authors that we operate in terms of organizational communication, dialogue, and dialogue in organizations, dialogue - in the sense we have adopted in this research - does not materialize at organizational level.

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This applied dissertation provides an overview of the working relationships among key leaders within a large urban school district in the Southeastern part of the United States. This study examined the communication methods and responsibilities of each key player within the decision-making process for the district at various levels of leadership. Results called for the exploration of (a) effective communication, (b) verbal and nonverbal techniques, (c) electronic means of communication, (d) informal styles of communication, (e) interpersonal communication, (f) communication styles, (g) leadership styles, and (h) conflict management, which delineated the theoretical framework and research questions for this study. This study presents verbatim quotes that supported the data findings. Twenty-three stakeholders (school board members, school leaders, parents, business leaders, and community leaders) from the district were interviewed. The results revealed 10 themes related to the need for a transparent, honest, and collaborative working relationship. The findings revealed the need for an addendum to the Critical Communication theory, which analyzed the interworkings among individuals within organizations. The addendum supports the premise that positive working relationships are due to effective forms or modes of communication. Stakeholders preferred in-person communication to combat conflict within the organization among members within the district. Stakeholders also noted a need for leaders of the organization who are democratic, transformational, and nonbiased. Stakeholders continuously addressed the need for immediate and accessible forms of communication within the district to build positive working relationships.

The purpose of the present investigation was to provide a clearer understanding of how various levels of perceptual correspondence are associated with one another and with performance appraisal. Specifically, the present study focused on the variable of accuracy in an attempt to discover its relative importance to performance appraisal. Also of interest was the relationship between accuracy and agreement.