Communications in Organizations
Analyze the types of communications networks in Chapter 12 (Colquitt) or Chapter 9 in
Hellriegel . Discuss what network style your organization uses. If you are not currently
a member of an organization, use a recent organization you are familiar with. Compare
and contrast two of the networks and discuss a specific type of organization that would
use those two types of communications network. Respond to two of your fellow learners
with a positive yet critical analysis of their discussion.
MY DICUSS POST RQD
POST 1
My organization uses two kinds of communication network structures. For core functions such as sales,
inventory mangement, loss prevention, et cetera, all local managers at my level report to a district
manager in an example of the wheel network structure. The district manager then shapes policy for the
entire district, and makes adjustments to the performance of various stores. I agree with the Colquitt text
that this structure has a lower degree of "member satisfaction," but there isn't a better way to run the
system because the local managers are not interdependent; they perform their tasks and communicate
their information to their superior, the district manager, without regard to what anyone else is doing.
Another example I can think of that uses this type of highly regimented, centralized command structure is
the military.
Interestingly, however, my company has also created "areas of responsibility" within the district where
each of the ten local managers is tasked with assisting the district manager with policy rulemaking and
compliance in a specific area. The district manager retains the ultimate decisionmaking authority, but
there is more cross-channel or lateral comminication between peers as the local managers interact to
influence performance metrics, compliance with policy, and clarifications of organizational culture. This
reminds me more of the "all channel" network structure, because all of the team members communicate
with one another in regular weekly meetings to discuss any emergent problems at the local level.
While engaging in this approach, I've often been reminded of student team interactions, or team exercises
during strategic planning sessions where a group of several individuals must meet and jointly formulate a
response to a task.
MY RESP RQD
POST 2
My organization uses the All-Channel communication network, which is high in efficiency for complex
tasks, low in efficiency for simple tasks, and high in member satisfaction. Our tasks are complex, so AllChannel is the most efficient communication style. In addition, our tasks are all inter-related, so ongoing
communication is key. Already today, I have had information sharing conversations with 5 other team
members, and we often have impromptu meetings to problem solve and share information. By sharing
information with each other, we reduce mistakes, avoid duplicating work, and increase efficiency. In the
medical billing field, there are constant changes and revisions, so being able to communicate across all
lines, to all members, is crucial.
MY RESP RQD
B) When you consider the movie “Hoosiers,” what were some of the communications
problems early on in the development of the team? What behaviors did you see that
indicated to you that there were problems? Respond to two of your fellow learners with
a positive yet critical analysis of their discussion.
MY DICUSS POST RQD
POST 1
I never thought of "Hoosiers" as such as fascinating study in team communication until now.
Dale had communication issues from the beginning. His initial overture to Jimmy Chitwood was not
particularly successful. The townspeople, who considered themselves stakeholders in the performance
of the local high school basketball team, attempted to show up and intimidate Coach Dale with the sheer
force of their numbers and the very loud vocalization of their objections, demonstrating a crisis of
leadership at the top. In addition, Dale had problems with the players as well, leading to him removing
two of them from the team and taking other measures to show them both that he was in charge and
serious about building them into a cohesive team, with winning a secondary goal.
Most of the communication problems that Dale encountered were because of "noise" interfering with the
message he was trying to deliver to the intended receivers. Chitwood's internal dilemma, the town
residents' belief in their own importance, Shooter and Ollie's personal demons, and the general resistance
of the team to Dale's very presence, let alone his ideas, almost drowned out the message that Dale
was trying to convey. He had to resort to innovative tactics to "boost his gain" and be heard and
understood by the receivers over the noise.
MY RESP RQD
POST 2
Some early communication problems that arose from the movie would be from the team, parents, and
towns people. When Coach Dale arrived at the first practice, the players were playing basketball but didn't
seem to be practicing and learning anything. The coach made it very clear that things had to be done his
way. He came off very strict and stubborn but in his mind, this was the way he was creating a real team.
The players and the rest of the town did not see his goals. One example that showed a problem is when
the coach laid down his rules, a few players decided to leave the team. Another one was when one of the
players decided to shoot the ball before passing the ball 4 times got benched and did not reenter the
game. The player thought he was benefiting the team by scoring but didn't realize what the coach was
trying to instill in all of them.
RES RQD