Managing Uncertainty in Organizational Communication

by Kramer, Michael W.

• ISBN13: 9780805849202
• ISBN10: 0805849203
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2003-12-01
• Publisher: Lawrence Erlbau

Summary

In this book, Michael W. Kramer applies uncertainty reduction theory (URT)--a key theory in current communication scholarship--to the context of organizational communication. Examining URT and the range of research applicable to organizational settings, Kramer proposes a groundbreaking theory of managing uncertainty (TMU), which synthesizes prior research while also addressing its criticisms. Examples are provided to illustrate the principles of the TMU at both the individual and collective (group/organizational) levels of analysis. Original studies based on the theory show that it provides a useful extension of URT, addressing some concerns raised by critics of that earlier model. Kramer illustrates that, as a model in progress, TMU will change as new research and insights build upon it. Managing Uncertainty in Organizational Communicationassists readers in understanding and researching uncertainty in communication, which encourages additional changes and improvements to the model. It is of primary interest to scholars, researchers, and practitioners in organizational, interpersonal, and group communication.

Author Biography

Michael W. Kramer is an associate professor of communication at the University of Missouri-Columbia.

Table of Contents

Preface	ix
1 Introduction and Rationale	1	(7)
2 Uncertainty Reduction Theory in Interpersonal Contexts	8	(25)
3 Uncertainty in Group and Organizational Contexts	33	(31)
4 A Theory of Managing Uncertainty: A New Model	64	(50)
5 Cognitive and Behavioral Processes for Managing Uncertainty: A Qualitative Study of Car Salespeople	114	(36)
6 The Influence of Competing Motives on Managing Uncertainty: Responses to Organizational Scenarios	150	(21)
7 A Textual Analysis of Managing Uncertainty: A Reanalysis of the Lucille Burger Story	171	(18)
8 Implications and Conclusions	189	(30)
References	219	(12)
Appendix	231	(2)
Author Index	233	(6)
Subject Index	239