The last day of Week 2 . . .
In discussing Chapter 5, CGH said this about the anticipatory stage of assimilation, "I did a lot of research to find out exactly what the company did so that I could better understand my job position." Excellent advice for anyone starting a new job. And now so much easier with company websites. Interviewing those who already work in the organization is a good idea, too.
Like CurlySue, I had an experience with a "cult like" culture. I didn't stay in the organization very long. I found the pressure to conform stifling.
Goofy provides some examples of underlying metaphors for "busy," that help us reflect on the meaning of that simply word. Kat Finn also noted how metaphors can lead to misunderstandings and misinterpretations.
JennB156 remarked that rites and rituals in organizational culture "sounds more like a fraternity or sorority" yet consider the important rituals associated with SJSU, such as first-year orientation and graduation. Rituals help convey organizational values and provide sensemaking mechanisms for organization members.
JRosene discussed retrospective sensemaking, which I think frequently occurs in organizations, especially at the management level.
José offers an extended critique of Chapter 3 that the blogger might want to forward on to the authors of the text. Also, good insights to sections on Weick's notion of organizing and concepts associated with organizational culture in C. 5. I agree that organizational culture is particularly appealing because it illuminates what we often take for granted.
Kaeli's comments on surveillance suggest that when we know we're being watched at work we tend to be more productive. But I wonder about situations in which we know we're being watched all the time--will we find ways to subvert the system?
Longevity reminded us that "it’s not always good to have open honest communication with everyone." In the 1970s there was in emphasis in the communication discipline on being open, which turned in to saying whatever was on your mind. But that ignores the impact our communication can have on others.
Mariposa makes a good point that particularism exists today, but is more covert than in the past.
Phil's entry about goals reminded me of research some of my colleagues did about 10 years ago in which they found that the perception of shared goals was more important in organizational productivity than being able to articulate the same goals.
Sashak's discussion of systems theory reminds us that all approaches to organizational communication have their strengths and weaknesses, just as all metaphors shadow or hide at the same time as they illuminate.
Scaphoidfracture makes a good point about how difficult it can be for organization members to interpret feedback.
Shitentenemusu notes that critical approaches to organization can be negative or depressing. Some researchers and scholars go beyond a critical analysis and identify ways to move an organization in more a positive direction based on the initial critical analysis.
SJSUGirl reported that a friend said, "that for many employees Disneyland once used to be the happiest place on earth, but after being treated so poorly they no longer see it is as the happiest place on earth." Some researchers have examined Disney's corporate practices:
- Tracy, J. F. (1999). Whistle while you work: the Disney company and the global division of labor. Journal of Communication, 23, 374-389.
- Boje, D. (1995). Stories of the storytelling organization: A postmodern analysis of Disney as "Tamara-Land." Academy of Management Journal, 38, 997-1035.
Spartan Girl provides a good application of hegemony to the family.
Tiger noted that "Reddy either has no idea what communication is all about, or maybe, he just had a little bit of trouble communicating his ideas." What Reddy was trying to do was show how much management texts reinforce the conduit metaphor; it's not a metaphor that Reddy agrees with.
Victoria Beckham writes about concertive control in a law firm.
Wally Oxenfree commented on Senge's learning organization. This approach to organization seems like a must in the turbulent environment we're experiencing as well as the develop pace of new communication technologies.
Who me? gives us much to think on about women in the workpace.
Great entries and comments! Just a few more hours left to post your thoughts on Week 2's reading.
--Prof. Cyborg
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