This study approaches the study of organisational communication in
the Australian public sector by focussing on the gendered nature of the
organisation, and presenting results from the grass roots or 'native'
level (Gregory, 1983).
The theoretical framework of this study draws on a diverse range of
philosophical viewpoints, ranging from organisational communication
and culture approaches, sociological perspectives, public sector
research, and uniquely Australian conceptualisations of gender within
the public sphere. This study introduces a new way of conceiving
feminist bureaucrats (femocrats), in terms of their relationships with
'natives' within public sector organisations.
Difficulties in identifying a distinctly Australian organisational
communication arena result from both the paucity of organisational
communication, grass roots, and public sector research, and because of
the problematic task of assimilating 'bits' of divergent theories, with
often incompatible views to inform one comprehensive theoretical
framework.
The results of focus group and individual interviews suggest that a
'managerial' culture exists both within and externally to public sector
organisations. This managerialism originates from within patriarchal
and masculine organisational structures, and from a shift of workplace
practices where a public service model has been replaced by a more
private sector, bottom line, results orientation.
While the 'natives' in this study are not representative of all public
sector employees, their discourse provides a glimpse into the concerns
of grass roots members of organisations, a view that is significant in its
absence from organisational communication research, particularly in
the Australian context.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:ADTP/219349 |
| Date | January 1995 |
| Creators | Smeaton, Elizabeth, n/a |
| Publisher | University of Canberra. Communication, Media & Tourism |
| Source Sets | Australiasian Digital Theses Program |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Rights | ), Copyright Elizabeth Smeaton |
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