last updated 9/29/2006

The Communicative Organization
From D. Modaff and S. DeWine. (2002) Organizational Communication. Roxbury, ch. 6

Premise:  Talk is action

• Tool-talk - instrumental use of communication, getting stuff done.

• Frame-talk - creating interpretations, "framing" meanings and perspectives

• Mythopoetic talk - world-views, ideologies, philosophical perspectives,  the "vision-thing."  (sometimes a reflection of culture, sometimes B.S. that causes systematic distortion)

In the (Effective) Communicative Organization ...

1. Members Anticipate Misunderstandings [ non-shared meanings ] as inevitable and they make use of them.  Causes of misunderstanding...

   • Conflicts in values

   • Lack of information

   • Strategic misinterpretation (purposeful)

2. Useful forms of social interaction are encouraged (norms and procedures, etc.).

   • Immediacy (MBWA) -- real attentiveness.

   • Timely feedback

   • Message/exchange assessment

   • Manage relational messages

3. Behavioral Flexibility occurs.

   1. Relationships change as needed

   2. Communicative patterns and norms are adjustable

   3.  The Dialectic is recognized

4. Strategic Communication Planning is normal.