Communication breakdowns are common in organizations and especially problematic for managers. Active study of these problems is reported by the popular press as well as by schools of business, psychology, education, and communication. To date, however, research has focussed on the macro perspective--communication networks and climates--and problems continue at the micro level, between individuals. Needed was (1) an understanding of the role and definition of interpersonal communication in management, and (2) better methods for improving managers' communication skills. / Interdisciplinary research suggested that the enduring, traditional view of management functions--plan, organize, direct and control--has hindered understanding. Newer research showed that managers rarely perform these functions, but spend most time in frenetic information gathering through interpersonal communication. Indeed, communication skills were shown to be consistently more important to management success than traditional skills. / An operational definition for interpersonal communication competence and a unifying theoretical foundation were established. The disappointing results of current communication skills training were discussed. Newer methods with encouraging results were reviewed, derived from Social Learning Theory. Videodisc technology was shown to be instructionally effective in conjunction with these newer methods. / An instructional Pilot Program was developed to apply literature review conclusions. It included a Pretraining Activity presented via interactive videodisc and a Seminar presented by an instructor. Subjects were split into control and treatment groups, and the Interpersonal Communication Competence (ICC) of both were evaluated before and after the Pilot Program. Only the treatment group experienced the training activities. / Overall, the Pilot Program successfully enabled the volunteer group to master training objectives. Ongoing self-improvement was fostered. Positive attitudes were documented and evaluation procedures and instruments proved effective. However, there were no significant differences between the groups' ICC scores from pretest to posttest. Post hoc analyses of the ICC instrument found it flawed and unacceptable for this type of research. Recommendations were made for extension of the current research and for ongoing study. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 49-12, Section: A, page: 3548. / Major Professor: Theodore Clevenger, Jr. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--The Florida State University, 1988.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:fsu.edu/oai:fsu.digital.flvc.org:fsu_77890 |
| Contributors | Allen, Rex J., Florida State University |
| Source Sets | Florida State University |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Text |
| Format | 243 p. |
| Rights | On campus use only. |
| Relation | Dissertation Abstracts International |
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