Organizational Communication Assignment: An Annotated Bibliography

Question

Task:
General Overview: This assessment is a simulation of a professional business presentation. Most organizations today will share information through the communication genre of the professional business presentation. This assessment will help you improve your competency in both written and professional business presentational communication. In addition, this assessment allows you to participate in and reflect upon group processes and interactions.
This assessment has TWO PARTS. 1. Individually Written Report; 2. Group Recorded Video. You must follow the guidelines for this assessment as set out in this document and the accompanying video.
Case Study: You are a manager and your boss has asked you to give a presentation about communication to members of your team. Your team’s communication skills are generally good, but you and your boss feel that these skills can be improved. You are an expert in the field of business communication, having successfully undertaken a Unit in Effective Business Communications. Each member of the group may pick one of the following areas:
1. Organisational communication
2. Small group/Team Communication
3. Intercultural Communication
Having chosen a general area, you must then narrow the area to focus upon a specific topic or area within the general area. For example, if you have chosen to focus upon organisational communication, you could narrow the area to focus upon the topic of informal internal organisational communication. A broad focus on the general area will not result is a ‘high’ mark for this assessment. It is a good idea to consult with your tutor/lecturer about your topic—either in your Zoom lecture/tutorial/workshop or via email. You will need to identify 5 academic journal articles about your chosen topic. These articles will be discussed in the Individually Written Report and serve as evidentiary support within the presentation. Within your part of the presentation, you will need to include the following information:
1. The first part of your individual main point will define and explain the communication topic.
2. The second part of your individual main point will discuss the significance of the topic in terms of effective business communication practices.

Answer

Introduction
The report on organizational communication assignment brings about the discussion on the concept of effective business communication, highlighting the idea of ‘Organisational communication’ in business. Communication within organisations implies to sending and receiving information amongst the interrelated individuals in a particular environment. There are various types of organisational communication, which may include oral and written, internal and external, formal and informal communication. The assignment will describe the significance or influence of the organisational communication interlinked with the values of workplace behaviour, leader roles and team dynamics and others. The organizational communication assignment is an annotated discussion that aims to conduct an analysis using five articles, and will provide a broader understanding on organisational communication. In addition, it will provide a reflection on the group dynamics, and mentioning the recommendations to eliminate negative group dynamics in the organisation. Thus, in the later part the organizational communication assignment will conclude the idea and significant impact of the communication in the organisational success.

Annotated Bibliography
Article 1
Bisel, R., Messersmith, A., & Kelley, K. (2012). Supervisor-Subordinate Communication: Hierarchical Mum Effect Meets Organizational Learning. Journal of Business Communication, 49(2), 128-147.
Introduction: The authors Bisel, Messersmith & Kelley (2012), provided 9 propositions which are regarding the functions an effect of the supervisor -subordinate communication. This has been done to encourage the communication between the workplace relationships.

Research aim and methods: The paper utilized in the organizational communication assignment aims to represent the connection between the micro level supervisor and subordinate connection and communication. The study explains the command structures between them. The study has been conducted by observing the relationships between superiors and subordinates.

Findings: It has been found in the context of organizational communication assignment that the relationship between superiors and subordinates are the microcosm of any organisation. They are dependent on each other and with the support of each other, the organisation grows. It might be invisible, but it functions like this only. This focuses on the power distance in the companies and its effects.

Usefulness: the study is useful to know the relationship between different workplace levels. It helps in creating the business environment which is essential for the business.

Article 2
Kramer, M., Dougherty, D., & Pierce, T. (2004). Managing Uncertainty During a Corporate Acquisition. Human Communication Research, 30(1), 71-101.
Introduction: The authors Kramer, Dougherty & Pierce (2004), examined several reactions to the communication and uncertainty in organisations during the acquisition of their airline by another airline company. The article’s main focus is on uncertainty avoidance factor of the culture of workplace.

Research aim and methods: Hypothesis testing has been done and qualitative and quantitative data has been collected from various sources. Also, data has been collected from the questionnaire which shows that both primary and secondary sources of data have been used. The main aim of the research on organizational communication assignment is to analyse the uncertainty during a corporate acquisition situation.

Findings and conclusion: After the analysis of data, it has been illustrated in this organizational communication assignment that it is very important to examine a broad range of responses to mergers and acquisitions. It is because it doesn’t affect only company but also the employees, tehri satisfaction and job security. % point Likert scale was used which indicated high levels of outcome. It shows communication can be used to reduce uncertainty.

Usefulness: the study is useful for mediating the relationship between communication and the outcomes. This helped in gaining better understanding of the impact of communication on the uncertainty avoidance in mergers and acquisitions.

Article 3
Lee, E. (2007). Effects of Gendered Language on Gender Stereotyping in Computer?Mediated Communication: The Moderating Role of Depersonalization and Gender?Role Orientation. Human Communication Research, 33(4), 515-535.
Introduction: The author Lee (2007), discussed about the situational and dispositional features which mediate the gender roles at workplace.

Research aim and methods: The aim of the paper utilized in the organizational communication assignment is to find out the masculine and feminine culture factor and its effects on the communication within the workplace. It was to find out the difference between female and male employees. The research has been conducted by involving the participants into a trivia game with an ostensible partner through computer who comments will be recorded in either masculine or feminine language styles.

Findings and conclusion: It are found that unlike what used to happen in earlier times, the participants were not induced to think of gender and identity defining dimension. Depersonalisation has been studied to examine the gender-based roles.

Usefulness: The study considered in this part of organizational communication assignment proved to be useful in understanding the gender-based stereotypes and does they work within the organisational setting and while communicating to each other.

Article 4
Mayfield, J., Mayfield, M. & Sharbrough, W. C. (2015). Strategic Vision and Values in Top Leaders’ Communications: Motivating Language at a Higher Level. International Journal of Business Communication, 52(1), 97–121. https://doi.org/10.1177/2329488414560282
Introduction: The authors Mayfield, Mayfield & Sharbrough (2015), studied about the significance of the motivating language theory (MLT), in determining how leaders construct and transfer vision of strategic communication for enhancing organisational performance. The theory was proposed and tested by the leaders to create stakeholder value in the organisations.

Research aim and methods: The research on organizational communication assignment aims to identify and expand theoretical frameworks of motivating language theory in the organisations. Qualitative methodologies were used to analyse the outcomes in terms of leader visions and value communication.

Findings and conclusion: It was found that ML theory has developed a positive rapport and influence on job satisfaction of employees. Thus, it can be concluded that strategic leader visions lead to engaged workforce, increased productivity, and enhanced customer and shareholder loyalty.

Usefulness: The article used to prepare this organizational communication assignment proved useful to understand the relationship between high leader ML and positive organisational outcomes. Thus, communicated strategic vision led to increased stakeholder value and enhanced organisational performance.

Article 5
Mishra, Karen, Boynton, Lois & Mishra, Aneil. (2014). Driving Employee Engagement: The Expanded Role of Internal Communications. International Journal of Business Communication, 51(2), 183-202.https://doi.org/10.1177/232948814525399
Introduction: The authors Mishra et al (2014) identified the increasing value and importance of internal communication, from the perspective of management and the employees. Internal and open communication builds effective work culture, and engages employees in the organisational objectives.

Research aim and methods: The aim of the research on organizational communication assignment was to examine the relationship between internal communication, and employee engagement in the organisations. Interviews with six executives were held in the field of internal communication through a qualitative research analysis

Findings and conclusion: It was found from the analysis on organizational communication assignment that effective internal communication, i.e. between managers and their employees are best achieved by communicating through informal communication, coaching and others. Results from the study stated that PR professionals focused upon the employee communication, and enhanced their engagement

Usefulness: The study has two major contributions for future research. One is the significant role of PR executives in conducting face-to-face communications with employees. Secondly, PR executives require serving themselves as coaches to train the front-line managers for giving necessary feedbacks

Reflection on group dynamics
The organizational communication assignment will provide a reflective discussion on my understanding of the group dynamics and related aspects in the organisation.

A group is defined as two or more individuals who interact with one another, and have similar characteristics working towards achieving common goal. The term group dynamics is understood as attitudinal and behavioural features of the group members. Group dynamics with effective team work, efficient conflict resolution system, group resilience, healthy interaction and support from peers is considered positive dynamics. Negative group dynamics characterise ineffective team cohesion, limited scope of leadership and lack of support from superiors. This facilitated me in understanding the concept of group dynamics within an organisation.

I worked in a group of four members, including me for a project work given by our professor related to organisational management. Being a leader in the group I allocated tasks, and manage the functions of the group. One person was given the role to collect the information related to management practices in different organisations using books, and online websites. Other two members were asked to prepare notes and discussing in our weekly meetings. The fourth member kept and maintained the records and information for scheduled meetings, and handled all the technical issues in the communication. Group members often face issues due to personality and personal differences that affects work effectiveness in a team, so we decided to resolve the conflicts through open discussion on organizational communication assignment. We remained connected using WhatsApp, messaging for avoiding any breakdown in the communication of important information. However, irresponsible behaviour and inattentiveness of one member affected the chain of communication, leading to ineffective team work and degraded performance in our final exams. As a consequence, I analysed and understood the significance of the positive group dynamics in enhancing the performance of a group or a team in the organisation.

Conclusion
To conclude the above discussion it has been analysed that organisational communication is the key aspect of effective managerial functions to achieve the predetermined goals and objectives. It enables managers to perform basic functions of management, and ensure development of the employees, and organisation in whole. The organizational communication assignment has provided an in-depth knowledge of the importance of organisational communication from the managers and employee’s perspective. Leader’s value, employee engagement, effective collaboration, and trust amongst employees are the key results of open and effective communication. It entails various systems, methods and type of communication between the members, and assist establishment of authority and responsibility. Hence, managers must aim to improve communication, as it is considered to be the backbone of organisational performance and success in the long term.

Recommendations
Developing effective communication:
Communication is considered as key in the effective functioning, and attainment of organisational goals and objectives. Managers should work on improving their communication methods to share any information or message emails, meetings and shared documents. Open communication is fundamental to team dynamics; therefore organisational members must follow open and direct flow of communication (Keyton et al., 2013). Technological systems, and processes such as slack service and others can be used to avoid any ambiguity and biasness in the transfer of information between group members. Furthermore, they should ensure the element of mutual trust, and confidence working together in the group, as it determines strong relationships and lead to positive results. Thereafter, all the aspects would contribute in effective sharing of the information through different channels encouraging employee involvement towards achieving group goals (Mohanty & Mohanty, 2018).

Define roles and responsibilities:
In an organisation, managers and supervisors are responsible to define the job roles to be performed by each of the member or employee for accomplishment of tasks. This enables them to follow their work and complete them within given deadlines, and improve their performance. It can be done by preparing a rule book or a team charter mentioning job roles of members in the team, which will resolve conflicts at ease. Also, it will reduce possibilities of repetition of tasks or work facilitating project accomplishment. This can also be improved by regular and open communication related to work amongst all the members of group. Hereafter, answerability and commitment of the employees or members in a group is the vital contribution in elimination of negative group dynamics in the team (Ferrell & Kline, 2018).

References
Bisel, R., Messersmith, A., & Kelley, K. (2012). Supervisor-Subordinate Communication: Hierarchical Mum Effect Meets Organizational Learning. Journal of Business Communication, 49(2), 128-147.

Kramer, M., Dougherty, D., & Pierce, T. (2004). Managing Uncertainty During a Corporate Acquisition. Human Communication Research, 30(1), 71-101.

Lee, E. (2007). Effects of Gendered Language on Gender Stereotyping in Computer?Mediated Communication: The Moderating Role of Depersonalization and Gender?Role Orientation. Organizational communication assignment Human Communication Research, 33(4), 515-535.

Mayfield, J., Mayfield, M. & Sharbrough, W. C. (2015). Strategic Vision and Values in Top Leaders’ Communications: Motivating Language at a Higher Level. International Journal of Business Communication, 52(1), 97–121. https://doi.org/10.1177/2329488414560282

Mishra, Karen, Boynton, Lois & Mishra, Aneil. (2014). Driving Employee Engagement: The Expanded Role of Internal Communications. International Journal of Business Communication, 51(2), 183-202.https://doi.org/10.1177/232948814525399