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.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:ucf.edu/oai:stars.library.ucf.edu:rtd-1343 |
| Date | 01 January 1977 |
| Creators | Howze, Sara Baldwin |
| Publisher | Florida Technological University |
| Source Sets | University of Central Florida |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | text |
| Format | application/pdf |
| Source | Retrospective Theses and Dissertations |
| Rights | Public Domain |
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