Now in its fourth edition, this text provides a comprehensive introduction to contemporary issues in organizational communication. The author team is pleased to be joined by Michael Papa, whose years of experience as a consultant and widely published researcher in organizational communication adds a fresh perspective to the text.

Unit I: Foundations

1 An Orientation to Organizational Communication

Studying Organizational Communication

Development of the Field

Status of the Field

2 Organization Theory: Prescriptions for Control

Scientific and Classical Management

Transitional Theories

The Human Relations Movement

Human Resource Development

3 Organization Theory: Metaphors of Biology

A System Theory

Equivocality Reduction Theory

Evolutionary Psychology and Sociobiology

4 Organization Theory: New Millennium Thought

Self-Managed Work Teams and Concertive Control

Workplace Democracy

Feminist Theories and Organizational Communication

The Concept of Emancipation in Organizational Studies

Part One Case Studies

Unit II: Communication, Relationships, and Media

5 Communication and Its Functions

Two Precautions

Communication, Information, and Meaning

Functions of Communication

6 Organizational Communication Structure

Formal Communication

Informal Communication

Limitations of the Traditional View

Communication Structure as a Network

7 Group Relationships

Groups as Organizational Subsystems

Norms and Conformity

Values and Sense-Making

Group Decision Making and Problem Solving

8 Leader-Member Relationships

Theories of Leadership Behavior

Leadership as Development

Motivation and Control

Subordinate Behavior Toward Superiors

9 Information Technology and Computer-Mediated Communication

Types of Information Systems

The Information Network: LANs, WANs, and the Internet

Technological Effects on Structure and Work

Communicating in the Computer-Mediated Environment

Part Two Case Studies

Unit III: Dynamics of Organizational Culture

10 Communication and Organizational Culture

The Concept of Organizational Culture

Studying Organizational Culture

11 Cultural Control, Diversity, and Change

Cultural Control

Organizational Culture and Diversity

12 Power

Traditional Views of Status and Power

Power in the View of Critical Theory

Critical Theory in Organizational Communications Research

Reconceptualizing Power: The Feminist View

Power and Conflict: Connected and Separate Phenomena

13 Conflict

Sources of Conflict

Managing Conflict

Interpersonal Conflict

Coalitions and Intergroup Conflict

Bargaining and Negotiation

Interorganizational Conflicts Examining Strategic Alliances

Part Three Case Studies

Part Four Communication and Executive Strategy

14 Strategic Communication

Characteristics of Strategic Communication

Internal Communication

External Communication

Public Communication in Crisis Situations

Part Four Case Studies

Author

Index

Subject