331REAL REFERENCE A Study Tool
Describe and compare approaches to managing an
organization:
c Organizations are groups with a formal gover-
nance and structure (p. 306).
c Organizational communication is the
interaction necessary to direct an organization
toward multiple sets of goals (p. 306).
c The classical management approach focuses on
how to make an organization run efficiently. This
approach is dependent on two main ideas: the
division of labor, the assumption that each part
of the organization has a specific function, and
hierarchy, the layers of power in an organization
(pp. 306–307).
c The human relations approach considers the human
needs of organizational members (pp. 307–308).
c The human resources approach also values
employees as assets to the organization who can be
fulfilled by participating and contributing useful
ideas (pp. 308–309).
c The systems approach views an organization as
a whole in which all members have interdepen-
dent relationships. Two key components of this
approach are openness, an organization’s awareness
of its problems, and adaptability, an organization’s
allowance for change and growth (pp. 309–310).Describe ways in which organizational culture is
communicated:
c Through organizational storytelling, the commu-
nication of the organization’s values through stories
to the organization’s members and to the outside
world (pp. 310–311).
c Using organizational heroes, the people who achieve
great things for the organization (pp. 311–312).
c Through organizational assimilation, the process
by which people “learn the ropes” of the organiza-
tion (p. 313).Contrast relational contexts in organizations:
c In supervisor–supervisee relationships, the supervi-
sor has power over the supervisee (pp. 314–315).
c In mentor–protégé relationships, the mentor is a
respected member of the organization and serves as
a role model for a less experienced individual, the
protégé (pp. 315–316).c Peer relationships are the friendships that form be-
tween colleagues at an organization as a result of peer
communication, communication between individu-
als at the same level of authority (pp. 316–318).Identify the challenges facing today’s organizations:
c Given workplace diversity (of background, culture,
and personality), conflict can often arise. If it re-
sults in behavior such as criticism, defensiveness,
contempt, or stonewalling, then it must be dealt
with so that colleagues can continue to work to-
gether effectively and peacefully (pp. 319–320).
c Although the wealth of new communication tech-
nology has enabled easier communication, there is
the added challenge of figuring out which channel
to use, taking into consideration media richness,
the degree to which a particular channel is commu-
nicative (pp. 320–321).
c The proliferation of communication technology
has increased organizations’ use of workplace sur-
veillance, or the monitoring of employees to see
how they’re using e-mail, the Internet, and instant
messaging (p. 323).
c Globalization, the growing interdependence and
connectivity of societies and economies around the
world, reduces barriers between countries for busi-
ness (p. 324). However, unethical practices such
as human trafficking, the coercion of people into
exploitative situations, are also a result of globaliza-
tion (p. 324).
c Employees engage in emotion labor, displaying
outward emotions that their organizational duties
require, or they take on too many responsibilities
or work long hours, often resulting in burnout,
a destructive form of stress (pp. 324–325).
Many struggle with work–life balance to find a
balance between their work and personal lives
(pp. 325–326).
c Harassment is any communication that hurts,
offends, or embarrasses an individual, creating a
hostile environment. One common type is sexual
harassment, unwanted verbal or physical conduct
of a sexual nature that affects an individual’s em-
ployment, interferes with work performance, or
creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive work
environment (pp. 326–329).Now that you have finished reading this chapter, you can:✁