No description available.

No description available.

No description available.

A medium-size newspaper in Central Florida was observed for 8 weeks in the Spring and Summer of 1976 and 58 employees interviewed to determine internal communication patterns and measure attitudes toward the communication system, organization and job related variables. A system theory of organizations provided basic theoretical assumptions. Since communication activities occur within the framework of internal organization elements such as structure, objectives, leadership style, reward system, technology, intergroup relations, and individual employee characteristics, those elements were described. Communication activities were reported in terms of message purpose, network traversed, method of diffusion and relationships. Findings indicated that the nature and technology of the organization were more important predictors of communication activities than other elements. Messages were primarily task related, diffused both horizontally and vertically over formal and informal networks. The method of diffusion was primarily oral in face to face dyadic of small group situations. Analysis of attitudinal data indicated that communication satisfaction was the most important predictor of organization and job related attitudes. Persons occupying the lowest levels in the organizational hierarchy were the most negative about the communication system and were least involved in in. Persons occupying the upper levels were the most positive about the system and were the most involved in it. A factor analysis of the attitudinal data revealed 14 factors to be considered in future research.

This dissertation follows in the tradition of role theory and organizational scholarship by examining how one role can be taken over by another, which can be referred to as encroachment. Previous organizational role research has not explored fully encroachment and its effects. Therefore, this study investigated factors that lead to role encroachment, especially the sharing of internal resources, and how individuals cope with the effects of encroachment. To conduct the study, focus groups of marketing and public relations departments were analyzed to explain how roles are enacted within their practical context. The goals of this dissertation were to (a) investigate how shared resources affect role boundaries and role enactment that can lead to encroachment, (b) explain the concept of encroachment and how it affects role enactment, and (c) investigate the conflict between public relations and marketing that can lead to encroachment in the age of social media. The study found themes related to: (a) definitions of encroachment, (b) factors facilitating encroachment, (c) factors affecting the intensity of encroachment, (d) shared resources and their effects on encroachment, (e) implications of encroachment to the individual, department, and organization, and (f) ways people deal with encroachment. First, encroachment was defined in three ways: the overtaking of tasks, or receiving unwanted strategic guidance, or interference of organizational processes. Second, the study found that role ambiguity and the communication of and adherence to cultural norms invite or prevent encroachment. Third, role ambiguity and organizational culture were found to be the dominant factors that affect the intensity of encroachment. Fourth, the study found that tangible macro resources, like organizational culture and structure, and practical resources, such as information and skill sets, facilitate encroachment. Fifth, findings indicated that implications of encroachment include stress, frustration, and confusion at the individual level; an us versus them mentality and role conflict at the departmental level; and broken relationships with external partners, lack of organizational nimbleness, and wasted time and money at the organizational level. Lastly, the study found that people deal with encroachment by providing and receiving emotional and informational social support, and by accumulating and spending social capital through relationship building within the organization. Theoretical implications of this research indicate that role conflict, role ambiguity, and boundary spanning role theory relate to encroachment. In addition, previous theory focused on external resource use by organizations can be expanded to evaluate the internal use of resources. Theory from interpersonal communication, such as social exchange theory, social support, and social capital, relate to how people facing encroachment cope with their roles being infringed upon. Practical implications of this dissertation include recommendations for organizations including increased communication of role boundaries and evaluations of restrictive cultural norms. The findings from this study provide an understanding of encroachment and indicate directions for further development of theory about encroachment and role enactment. / Media & Communication

”It´s this position in between that´s very tricky.” ­– A comparative case study of the Swedish University of internal communication with employees   The study aims to examine how three Swedish universities in Linköping, Lund and Umeå handle their internal communications with employees. The study intends to specifically examine communications concerning events surrounding the crime, ethics and morality, in gray scale in between crisis and everyday communication. The theoretical framework of the study was based on the organizational communication, crisis communication, the consequences of a lack of internal communication and preparatory actions. The empirical material that this study assumes consists of qualitative interviews with selected employees at the Universities of Linkoping, Lund and Umeå. A total of six interviews.   The study shows that all three universities have a crisis organization that is represented by the different functions of the University. They have a similar approach where emergency aid is sewn together, depending on the nature of the crisis. But as social media rampage and information society of rapid change, universities must work proactively and consciously, and at the same time be able to quickly adapt to change. Furthermore, it strengthens the credibility of the organization as they also have obligations to the public. It is still unclear whether there are procedures to write down every single case of a sensitive nature. Whether it is about an anonymous threat or an employee accused of misconduct or sexual harassment needed more concrete to the work as well as possible in the future. The best is of course to try to avoid these situations at all, but if not crisis communication or daily routine functions optimally at these sensitive cases are part of the problem. Hence the need for written procedures for the gray scale in between crisis and everyday communication. That, along with a proactive approach, support groups at local level and clear accountability lines are steps in the right direction.   Keynotes: Organizational communication, internal communication, crisis communication, consequences, crisis management

Abstract Title: The core of successful crisis communication? A study of external transparency in preventative crisis communication through a company perspective. Authors: Caroline Ehrning & Frida Kempe. Aim: This study examines how four companies proactively work with external transparency within preventing crisis communication. Research problem: There are gaps in the research of preventative crisis communication, not at the least in correlation with transparency. Method/material: We have conducted qualitative interviews with people who all hold leadership positions in the communications departments at four companies. Theoretical framework: In this study the following theoretical framework have been used; transparency theory, issues management, reputation management and communication effect theory. Main results: Three of the four companies use external transparency to prevent crises, but the way they apply transparency differ. The majority of the work is directed towards media, because of its power. Further can be noted that all companies, except but one, could identify potential improvements in their work with external transparency as a tool to prevent the dimension of the crisis. Social importance: We hope to contribute to the research about how transparency is, and can, be used in the preventative crisis communication. Number of pages: 48 Course: Media and communication studies C. Department: Department of informatics. University: Uppsala University. Period: HT 2015. Tutor: Therese Monstad.

Bakgrunden till studien var sjuksköterskebristen i hälso- och sjukvården och det faktum att många arbetsgivare har svårt att rekrytera och behålla sjuksköterskor. Det valda perspektivet var anställningsrelationen och teorin om ”psykologiska kontrakt”; individens uppfattningar om ömsesidiga åtaganden/skyldigheter mellan anställd och arbetsgivare. (Förhands)förväntningar, influerade av signaler/information från organisationer, kan vara en grund till nyanställdas psykologiska kontrakt. I denna studie undersöktes sjuksköterskestudenters förväntningar på ömsesidiga åtaganden i en anställningsrelation, liksom hur de fick information om arbetsgivare/arbetsplatser och varför informationen var viktig. Semistrukturerade intervjuer genomfördes med 12 sjuksköterskestudenter från en svensk högskola, 11 var sistaårsstudenter. Analysmetoden var fenomenologisk. Två huvudteman för förväntade åtaganden framkom: sjuksköterskeprofessionen och personen. Tema tillit/förtroende framkom för hur studenterna fick viktig information om arbetsgivare/arbetsplatser, kategorierna var: direkta kontakter med organisationer/arbetsgivare, nätverk och media. Resultatet pekade på vikten av ett relationellt förhållningssätt i kompetensförsörjningen, liksom att arbetsgivare särskilt bör uppmärksamma förtroendefrågor och professionella värderingar i kontakter/kommunikation med sjuksköterskestudenter.

This research study is qualitative exploratory in nature, trying to gain insight into integrated communication at Eskom. The study presents the methodology of the investigation, the analysis of the data, the findings as well as the conclusion and recommendations. Data collection techniques include an online self-administered questionnaire, structured questionnaire, focus group discussions and content analysis of the organisations’ publications. The population selected consists of Eskom communication managers and professionals, human resources personnel and project managers to establish the extent to which integrated communication is practised within Eskom. Finally, the research findings are discussed and further recommendations proposed. The findings show that Eskom communication is predominantly top-down with the divisions still working in silos. Furthermore, a measuring instrument developed to evaluate the extent of integrated communication as proposed by Du Plessis and Scoonraad in Barker and Angelopulo (2006) were found to be applicable to the Eskom situation. / Communication Science / M.A. (Specialisation in Organisational Communication Research and Practice)

This case study evaluates government communication practices at Superfund sites. I describe agency communication practices in Superfund communities, paying particular attention to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Seven Cardinal Rules of Risk Communication and its role as a model for federal agencies engaged at these sites. Situating the study within a theoretical milieu that includes sensemaking and symbolic interactionism, I examine whether current practices deepen divisions among stakeholders, reducing the possibility for communicative convergence. I implement textual analysis and narrative inquiry to examine written and spoken communication about the Paducah Gaseous Diffusion Plant National Priorities List Superfund site. Through crystallized analysis of media coverage, public comments, focus group transcripts, and local blogs, I address the following research questions: RQ1: How does the enactment of accepted agency risk communication practices affect relationships among stakeholders, specifically: • how do stakeholders (including federal agency personnel) characterize past and present agency risk communication practices, and • how do stakeholders (including federal agency personnel) characterize each other in relation to these communicative practices? RQ2: What are the related implications for improving agency risk communication approaches? The study concludes with recommendations for improving existing agency risk communication guidelines, as well as the creation of a new communication model to promote convergent communication at Superfund sites.