Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Western Sydney, 2006. / A thesis presented to the University of Western Sydney, College of Business, School of Management, in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master Commerce (Honours), Management. Includes bibliographies.

Thesis (M.A.)--Eastern Illinois University, 2010. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 105-123).

Thesis--Columbia University. / eContent provider-neutral record in process. Description based on print version record. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 317-323).

Zugl.: Darmstadt, Techn. Hochsch., Diss., 2006

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Texas at Austin, 2007. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references.

Thomas W. Malone. / "September 1985." "In J. Carroll (ed.), Interfacing thought : cognitive aspects of human computer interactions, ... l986." / Includes bibliographical references (p. 26-30).

Thesis (MPhil (Information Science))--University of Stellenbosch, 2007. / The question of how organisation leaders can successfully guide people through times of significant change, and thus transform organisations to operate successfully in a changed environment, has many potential responses. This thesis examines one possible response, namely storytelling, as a potentially useful management tool in the conditions introduced by organisational change. In particular, the reported success of Stephen Denning’s use of so-called springboard stories is subjected to an analysis from the point of view of sensemaking theory as proposed by Karl Weick, using the seven properties of sensemaking as a basis of the analysis. Chapter 1 introduces the sensemaking theory of Karl Weick, a theory which explains the process people engage when they attempt to manage complexity in their world. In particular, this chapter examines the seven properties of sensemaking, as identified by Weick as inherent in the process. Accepting the proposition that organisational complexity is responded to at an individual level, this chapter examines the properties at both that level, as well as in the specific context introduced by organisations. In addition, the implications of the seven properties for organisational leadership are considered, particularly during times of significant organisational change. Stephen Denning’s reported experiences with the use of storytelling during transformation in the World Bank are examined in chapter 2. Denning has become renowned in the field of storytelling, since his development and use of springboard stories specifically as a means of igniting action during organisational change. In addition to their specific purpose, all springboard stories have unique defining characteristics, relating to structure, format, content, style, length and timing. Each is examined in some detail, along with other contributing factors such as context, plausibility and relationships between the storyteller and listeners. Both successful and unsuccessful uses of springboard stories are considered, to obtain an understanding of the experienced effect of the explicitly noted characteristics of the stories and the storytelling encounter, as well as of implied characteristics, during significant organisational change. In chapter 3 the insight into sensemaking theory in chapter 1 forms the basis of an interpretation of the finding of the storytelling examination in chapter 2. The experiences are considered from the perspective of the process people go through in order to make sense of complexity and interruptions in their ordered world. The interpretation attempts to identify the relationship, if any, between the effects of the use of springboard stories as applied during change and the properties of the sensemaking process that will take place in individuals attempting to deal with the change. The thesis concludes that storytelling, as proposed by Stephen Denning, facilitates sensemaking during times of organisational change. In doing so, storytelling enables the selection of new identities and the related implementation of actions suited to the changed environment. The impact of this conclusion on the use of traditional approaches to communicate change is considered, particularly as it relates to leadership attempts to guide people through change, and the change in leadership focus required to realise the benefits inherent in the use of storytelling.

Thesis (MPhil)--Stellenbosch University, 2014. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Storytelling is gaining recognition as areas of inquiry in management and organisation theory, but it is difficult to ascertain to what extent it is useful for organisational knowledge management. The thesis argues that although the existing literature on organisational storytelling is focused on the knowledge sharing aspects of storytelling, it is also useful for knowledge capturing. Whilst most knowledge management systems focus on explicit knowledge, the capture of tacit knowledge, which is hard to identify and manage, is a major challenge. The thesis uses Becerra-Fernandez et al.'s knowledge management framework to establish the requirements for knowledge management, and specifically highlighting the important role of tacit knowledge in organisational knowledge processes. Thereafter the role of storytelling in organisations is described by way of a literature review that includes the work of Snowden, Denning, Boje and Czarniawska. The outcome of this review is to show that storytelling is an informal process in organisations and that attempts to formalise it are still in its infancy. The various insights about the role of stories in organisations are then mapped against the requirements for knowledge management. It is shown that the storytelling literature almost wholly concentrates on the area of knowledge sharing and less so in the areas of knowledge discovery, capture and application. Since knowledge capture involves the externalisation of tacit knowledge and because tacit knowledge is more easily expressed in narrative form, it is argued that storytelling can also contribute to knowledge management as a way to capture knowledge. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Stories en vertellings word toenemend erken as areas van ondersoek in bestuurs- en organisasieteorie, maar dit is moeilik om te bepaal tot watter mate dit bruikbaar is vir organisatoriese kennisbestuur. Die tesis argumenteer dat, hoewel die bestaande literatuur oor organisatoriese stories gefokus is op stories as die oordrag van kennis, dit ook bruikbaar mag wees vir kennis-formalisering. Terwyl die meeste kennisbestuursisteme op eksplisiete kennis gefokus is, is die formalisering van versweë kennis, wat moeilik is om te identifiseer en bestuur, 'n groot uitdaging. Die tesis steun op Becerra-Fernandez et al. se kennisbestuursraamwerk om so die vereistes vir kennisbestuur te bepaal en spesifiek die belangrike rol van versweë kennis in organisatoriese kennis prosesse uit te stippel. Daarna word die rol van stories in organisasies beskryf deur middel van 'n literatuur-oorsig wat die werk van Snowden, Denning, Boje en Czarniawska insluit. Die uitkoms van die oorsig is dat storie-vertelling in organisasies hoofsaaklik 'n informele proses is en dat pogings om dit te formaliseer nog in die beginfases is. Die verskeie insigte oor die rol van stories in organisasies word dan teen die agtergrond van die kennisbestuursvereistes geinterpreteer. Daar word getoon dat die storievertellingsliteratuur amper uitsluitlik konsentreer op die area van kennis-oordrag en minder so in die areas van kennis ontdekking, -formalisering en -toepassing. Omdat kennis formalisering met die eksternalisasie van versweë kennis gepaardgaan en omdat versweë kennis makliker in narratiewe vorm uitgedruk kan word, word daar geargumenteer dat storievertelling ook tot kennisbestuur kan bydrae lewer as 'n manier om kennis te formaliseer.

Thesis (MTech (Business Information Systems))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2016. / In any business and in particular complex, merging businesses there is a need for effective communication with both internal and external stakeholders. This is often difficult when, in the process of a merger, communication departments of the different consolidating entities, each of which may have had its own processes, are required to function as one synergistic unit. Merger-related disruptions to business, and particularly communication processes, result in communication failure, causing delays, duplication, incoherent flow of communication and greater margins for business error. This becomes a further challenge without a thorough audit and re-evaluation of all the existing and prospective communication-related business process options. Optimal consolidated business processes need to be re-engineered and continuously improved within the new environment. This study aims to explore the importance of re-engineering communication processes during mergers to ensure a successful communication function supported by a robust business process. The analyses and recommendations further aim to strengthen the body of knowledge available to communication specialists operating within the context of severe organisational change, helping them to understand not only why it may be necessary to undertake an exercise of this nature, but also the challenges, issues and questions likely to arise. This study aims to answer the questions: i) What factors affect communication processes when companies merge? ii) How do communications processes need to be structured to be effective when companies merge? iii) Why do communications processes fail when businesses merge? Primary and secondary research is undertaken with a prominent financial services institution as a business case. Primary research includes face-to-face interviews and empirical research. The interviews took the form of one-on-one sessions with each of the interviewees using an interview guide of semi-structured questions. Secondary research was undertaken for a sound theoretical foundation. In terms of research philosophy, the ontology is subjective, while the epistemology is interpretivism. Responses are coded, summarised, categorised and prominent themes identified as a basis for making recommendations. Throughout this process, ethical practice was undertaken with respect to colleagues, participants, the environment, society and sponsors. This research also aims to move towards an understanding of the factors contributing to increased productivity, enhanced organisational effectiveness and heightened staff morale. It also works toward a resultant improvement in profit and perception due to better communication processes in a dynamic environment where communication to stakeholders is a critical factor in business success.

Orientador: Maria Teresa Miceli Kerbauy / Banca: Maria Aparecida Ferrari / Banca: Roseane Andrelo / Resumo: Este trabalho busca associar os conceitos de Administração Pública, Comunicação Organizacional e Pública enquanto facilitadores para a legitimização e consolidação de reputação e identidade das organizações públicas à partir das abordagens e princípios de gestão aplicados, sob o viés da Excelência em Relações Públicas, cidadania, transparência e discussão pública dos assuntos de interesse público, entre outros. Trata-se de estudo e investigação qualitativa sobre como se desenvolve o atendimento ao consumidor - via serviço telefônico gratuito (0800) - da autarquia municipal de saneamento de Bauru/SP, o Departamento de Água e Esgoto de Bauru para, a partir de entrevistas junto aos 12 (doze) funcionários da área de atendimento, verificar a percepção sobre como a gestão da comunicação pode favorecer a tarefa administrativa da organização, associada a outras abordagens, tendo como premissa a noção de comunicação enquanto possibilidade para a adaptação e enfrentamento ao atual contexto social, às exigências expectativas dos públicos. Como resultados, ficou demonstrada a inexistência de políticas específicas para a comunicação da autarquia, o distanciamento de um modelo administrativo gerencial, bem como a identificação das consequencias desse aspecto - na percepção dos servidores - para o setor de Atendimento ao Público e a autarquia como um todo, enquanto organismo cuja função é a prestação de serviços essenciais para a população - água e esgoto / Abstract: This report tries to associate the concepts of Public Administration, Organizational and Public Communication as faciltators aiming the reputation legitimization and consolidation and to identify the public organizations from applied management principle and approches, under the Excellence of Public Relations, Citizenship, transparency and public discussion about public interests, among others. It is a study and qualitative research on how to develop customer service - by toll free (0800) - in a local sanitation authority in Bauru / SP, the Department of Water and Sewerage of Bauru so that, from interviews with twelve (12) employees of the service area, it is possible to verify perceptions about the management of communication can facilitate the administrative task of the organization, combined with other approaches, taking as its premise the notion of communication as a possibility to adapt and cope with the current social demands and expectations of the public. As results, it was demonstrated the absence of specific policies for the communication of the municipality, the administrative distance of a managerial model as well as the identification of the consequences of this aspect - the perception of the severs - for the Public Sector Service and the Municipality as a whole, as a body whose function is to provide essential services to the population - water and sewer / Mestre