Organizational
Communication
Chapter 12 Recap/Discussion
Organizations
 Communication AND Structure
 Related?
 If so, how?
 Relationship (of both) to organizations?
 Organizational Communication
 Structure
 Networks (social, task, ad-hoc, overlapping)
 Role of context and external environments
Formal Communication
 Downward
 Impact on organization’s culture?
 Upward
 Limited in organizations – why? agree?/disagree?
 ‘Just a gesture’ – huh? agree/disagree?
 Impact on organization’s culture?
 Horizontal
 Benefits? Issues?
 Impact on organization’s culture?
Formal Communication
 Organizational Charts Communicate:
 Structure
 Power and authority
 Rules for communication
Lunenburg, F. C. (2010). Formal Communication Channels: Upward,
Downward, Horizontal, and External. Focus on Colleges,
Universities and Schools, 4(1), p. 1-7.
Technical & Vocational Training Corporation
Formal vs. Informal
 Not formally defined
 Not based on organizational roles or rules
 Benefits and/or issues with informal?
 Popular example = the grapevine
Grapevine
 Pros or Cons
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OeEphjImzsA
 http://www.forbes.com/sites/work-in-
progress/2012/05/22/how-to-prune-your-organizationalgrapevine/
Organizational Culture
Learning the Culture through
Communication Practices
 Vocabulary
 Stories (corporate, personal, collegial)
 Rites and Rituals
 Structure (roles, rules, policies, communication networks)
 Others?
 Websites
 Mission Statements
 Promotional Materials
 Office Spaces
 A Crisis (and PR)
Impact of Crisis on Barneys?
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nhI-Etg6d2M
Inside the Office vs. Outside the Office?
 Mentioned with constitutive rules
 Should you hang out with coworkers outside of the office?
Boss vs. Coworkers?
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ilTPRUwGH5A
Examples of Organizational Culture
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9GxGiuUQdoU
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i7_R921f1OA
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5CcLIPaUz3E
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sitEqG6axaA
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4MqiHurbexE
HCA #8
 Visit an organization’s website; explore three “tabs/sections” that teach
you more about the organization. Note: If you pick an online store, you
will probably need to scroll to the bottom. You cannot look at tabs that
simply sell specific products. For example: www.walmart.com (you cannot
use Wal-Mart for your assignment)
 Tell me what you learned about the organizational culture and what it
communicates to potential clients and employees. Discuss the
organization’s use of verbal and nonverbal communication. You must pull
out specific examples from the website. Factor in what you learned in
Chapter 12
 1-3 paragraphs; double spaced (Note: if it is 1 paragraph—it should NOT
be a 3 sentence paragraph)
 Come prepared to present