This blog is provided by the IPR Organizational Communication Research Center. In February 2020 we started to conduct interviews with communication professionals for a new study on the importance of listening in organizations. A few weeks later, our efforts came to a screeching halt as the COVID-19 pandemic led to workplaces being completely shut down. … Continue reading How COVID-19 Heightened the Need for Listening to Employees
Topic: Employee Rule Adherence Author(s), Title and Publication Tyler, T. R., & Blader, S. L. (2005). Can businesses effectively regulate employee conduct? The antecedents of rule following in work setting. Academy of Management Journal, 48(6), 1143-1158. SummaryThis study identified optimal strategies to gain employees’ adherence to organizational rules and policies by comparing two approaches: a … Continue reading Can businesses effectively regulate employee conduct? The antecedents of rule following in work setting
Topic: Employee Communication Behavior and Upward Communication Author(s), Title and Publication Tangirala, S., & Ramanujam, R. (2008). Exploring nonlinearity in employee voice: The effects of personal control and organizational identification. Academy of Management Journal, 51(6), 1189-1203. Summary This study investigated the impact of employees’ perceived personal control on their voice. Personal control refers to employees’ … Continue reading Exploring Nonlinearity in Employee Voice: The Effects of Personal Control and Organizational Identification
Topic: Supervisory Communication Author(s), Title and Publication Fransen, M. L., & ter Hoeven, C. L. (2011). Matching the message: The role of regulatory fit in negative managerial communication. Communication Research. Summary This study examined whether managers could communicate bad news effectively by fitting the message into employees’ regulatory focus (promotion orientation, and prevention orientation). According … Continue reading Matching the message: The role of regulatory fit in negative managerial communication
Topic: Retention Author(s), Title and Publication Susskind, A. M. (2007). Downsizing Survivors’ Communication Networks and Reactions: A Longitudinal Examination of Information Flow and Turnover Intentions. Communication Research, 34(2), 156-184 Summary This study investigated surviving employees’ reactions to changes in their communication network (e.g., network centrality) in a downsizing event, and their intentions to leave. Network … Continue reading Downsizing Survivors’ Communication Networks and Reactions: A Longitudinal Examination of Information Flow and Turnover Intentions
Topic: Upward Communication and Feedback Seeking Author(s), Title and Publication de Stobbeleir, K. E. M., Ashford, S. J., & Buyens, D. (2011). Self-regulation of creativity at work: The role of feedback-seeking behavior in creative performance. Academy of Management Journal, 54(4), 811-831. Summary This study examined how employees use feedback seeking as a strategy to enhance … Continue reading Self-Regulation of Creativity at Work: The Role of Feedback-Seeking Behavior in Creative Performance
Topic: Supervisory Communication and Appraisal Interview Author(s), Title and Publication Gordon, M. E., & Stewart, L. P. (2009). Conversing about performance: Discursive resources for the appraisal interview. Management Communication Quarterly, 22(3), 473-501. Summary This article identified various resources available for the organization to prepare for and conduct efficient appraisal interviews. The authors propose a communication-centered … Continue reading Conversing About Performance: Discursive Resources for the Appraisal Interview
Topic: Employee Involvement Author(s), Title and Publication Marshall, A. A., & Stohl, C. (1993). Being “In the Know” in a Participative Management System. Management Communication Quarterly, 6(4), 372-404. Summary A primary advantage of employee involvement is assumed to be the development of knowledgeable workers who perform better. Little research, however, has explored how employees’ activities … Continue reading Being “In the Know” in a Participative Management System
Topic: Ambiguous Communication Author(s), Title and Publication Markham, A. (1996). Designing Discourse: A Critical Analysis of Strategic Ambiguity and Workplace Control. Management Communication Quarterly, 9(4), 389-421. Summary This case study examined how employees of a small design company experienced a work environment of ambiguous communication. Previous studies have suggested that organizational leaders could use strategic … Continue reading Designing Discourse: A Critical Analysis of Strategic Ambiguity and Workplace Control
Topic:Vision Implementation Author(s), Title and Publication Fairhurst, G. T. (1993). Echoes of the Vision: When the Rest of the Organization Talks Total Quality. Management Communication Quarterly, 6(4), 331-371. Summary Most members of an organization know the vision primarily through echoes supplied by leaders and other members. Organizational members other than senior managers often pay little … Continue reading Echoes of the Vision: When the Rest of the Organization Talks Total Quality
Topic: Organizational Climate and Organizational Culture Author(s), Title and Publication Schneider, B., Gunnarson, S. K., & Niles-Jolly, K. (1994). Creating the Climate and Culture of Success. Organizational Dynamics, 23(1), 17-29. Summary This essay examined management values that must be adhered to by employees for organizational effectiveness. Climate is employees’ perceived atmosphere that is created within … Continue reading Creating the Climate and Culture of Success
Topic: Corporate Culture Author(s), Title and Publication Jarnagin, C., & Slocum Jr., J. W. (2007). Creating Corporate Cultures Through Mythopoeic Leadership. Organizational Dynamics, 36(3), 288-302. Summary This essay introduced the concept of Mythopoeic Leadership as a framework for leaders to develop a robust corporate culture that drives employees to consistently make heroic efforts. Culture has … Continue reading Creating Corporate Cultures Through Mythopoeic Leadership