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2013

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Articles 16321 - 16350 of 17401

Full-Text Articles in Social and Behavioral Sciences

Empathy During Times Of Crisis And Corporate Reputation, Ann T. Gallagher Jan 2013

Empathy During Times Of Crisis And Corporate Reputation, Ann T. Gallagher

Communication & Leadership Dissertations and Theses

How an organization responds to victims is central to crisis communication management and protecting organizational reputation. While there is significant literature about best practices for crisis response, one area which has not been explored is the relationship of empathic communication and corporate reputation during times of conflict. This study examined this relationship through a study of the British Petroleum Gulf Oil crisis of 2010. The qualitative study used focus groups with working professionals and personal interviews with communication experts. The research is grounded in Coombs’ (1998) Situational Crisis Communication Theory (SCCT), and Benoit’s (1977) image restoration theory, which is used …

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The Effects Of Hierarchal Structures And Complex Policies On Organizational Communication, Linda Youssouf Jan 2013

The Effects Of Hierarchal Structures And Complex Policies On Organizational Communication, Linda Youssouf

Communication & Leadership Dissertations and Theses

This study analyzed the hierarchal structures and complex policies within a for-profit organization that contributed to creating a work environment with poor communication, specifically the effects on employees. Adaptive Structuration Theory provides a theoretical foundation for this study and discusses the creation of social systems through using rules and resources in interactions. The study did not intend to devise a clear solution to these pre-existing issues but rather shed light on the effects this type of problem has on communication between employees within an organization. A Likert Scale survey with 20 questions was distributed to 30 out of 50 employees …

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The Impact Of Media On Teen Sexual Health, Michaela Ciesynski Jan 2013

The Impact Of Media On Teen Sexual Health, Michaela Ciesynski

Communication & Leadership Dissertations and Theses

This thesis presents an analysis of research gathered in order to explore the impact of the media on teenage views of sexual health. The chosen research highlights the prevalence of sex in today’s television and how these portrayals can influence teens’ views on “normal” sexual behavior. The research shows that teens receive valuable information on social cues, or normalized behavior, from media outlets like popular television shows. Its impact on societal concepts in teenagers can create different view points on what it means to not only engage in sexual behavior, but what sexual behavior is expected. With this ability to …

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The Impacts Of Multiple 360 Feedback Projects Utilizing Coaching And Follow-Up: A Quantitative Longitudinal Exploratory Descriptive Research Study, Jeremy Unruh Jan 2013

The Impacts Of Multiple 360 Feedback Projects Utilizing Coaching And Follow-Up: A Quantitative Longitudinal Exploratory Descriptive Research Study, Jeremy Unruh

Communication & Leadership Dissertations and Theses

360 degree feedback is a great tool for organizational development, however many organizations don’t include coaching and follow-up to maximize impact for long term results. This quantitative longitudinal exploratory descriptive research study explores the impact of conducting the same 360 feedback survey within the same organization over a 3 year time frame utilizing coaching and follow-up. Data from 6 individuals indicate an improvement of self-awareness and an increase of set goals and completed goals. Theories of self-awareness and self-perception are discussed as well as the development of a new communication channel between manager and employee for organizational development purposes.

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Youtube And You: Using Cybernetics To Optimize Self-Promotion On Youtube, Janay Shari Johnson Jan 2013

Youtube And You: Using Cybernetics To Optimize Self-Promotion On Youtube, Janay Shari Johnson

Communication & Leadership Dissertations and Theses

This thesis explores self-promotion on YouTube. YouTube is a popular video sharing website specifically tailored for easy use and global connection. If a video is posted with the right combination of elements, it can become an instant phenomenon overnight. The ability to reach millions of people worldwide so quickly makes YouTube an advertising powerhouse. The most advantageous component of the video sharing site is that it is free to use. Anyone from any income level or background with video making capabilities can produce and post videos. In this day and age with built-in cameras on laptops and desktops, most members …

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Miscommunication In Cross-Cultural Technology Teams, Nichola Pometta-Horn Todd Jan 2013

Miscommunication In Cross-Cultural Technology Teams, Nichola Pometta-Horn Todd

Communication & Leadership Dissertations and Theses

This study explored communication dissonance found within globally distributed software development teams. The literature review investigated the theoretical foundation for the causes of intercultural dissonance that affects globally distributed software development teams. An online survey, and unobtrusive participant observation methods were used to capture as many data points as possible. Qualitative analysis leveraging data triangulation was the basis for the study. Participants in the study exhibited behaviors consistent with anticipated results. Suffering from a lack of understanding of dynamics found when interacting across high/lowcontext cultures, the study participants exhibited varying levels of intercultural communication dissonance. Teams that had been together …

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The Faculty/Staff Communication Divide: An Ethnographic Look Inside A Community College, Jodi Lynn Weber Jan 2013

The Faculty/Staff Communication Divide: An Ethnographic Look Inside A Community College, Jodi Lynn Weber

Communication & Leadership Dissertations and Theses

This study examines the communication divides that exist between faculty and staff at a rural community college in Texas. Through the use of survey data, personal interviews and ethnographic observation, the researcher gained significant insight into the communication culture of one institution. The theoretical framework for this study is built largely upon the group communication concepts of Bormann (1983) and Taylor and Altman (1975). Specifically, the study looks for evidence of Bormann’s (1983) symbolic convergence theory and Taylor and Altman’s (1975) social penetration theory. The philosophical framework for this thesis is grounded in Benhabib’s (1993) idea of the generalized versus …

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Examining The Influence Of National And Organizational Culture On Performance Evaluation And Recognition Structures In A Multinational Organization, Katie Bliven Jan 2013

Examining The Influence Of National And Organizational Culture On Performance Evaluation And Recognition Structures In A Multinational Organization, Katie Bliven

Communication & Leadership Dissertations and Theses

This study examines how well organizational culture functions as a mechanism to support diversity and respect for employees’ national culture in a multinational organization. Hofstede’s theory of cultural dimensions and Ting-Toomey’s face negotiation theory provide a framework for understanding the needs and expectations of individual employees regarding performance evaluation and recognition from leaders for culture-specific skill sets. The study was conducted at a multinational call center located in Ireland, where employees negotiate the collection of negative balances for online payment accounts belonging to customers in the EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa) and APAC (Asia Pacific) regions of the world. …

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The Effectiveness Of Social Media In Advancing Transformational Change, Kenneth Wesley Dey Jan 2013

The Effectiveness Of Social Media In Advancing Transformational Change, Kenneth Wesley Dey

Communication & Leadership Dissertations and Theses

The goal of this study is to determine the effectiveness of social media in advancing transformational change. Successfully implementing transformational change in an organization is heavily dependent on the support of key stakeholders. But engaging those stakeholders requires effective communication. Transformational efforts often fail because of the lack of credible communication or a failure to define a vision that can be easily communicated (Kotter, 2007). Researchers say that the key to successful transformational change is embracing a communication based in the realm of conversation where there is genuine two-way dialogue that is focused on listening and probing for more information …

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Multicultural Education For Preservice Teachers: An Exploration Of The Effectiveness Of Multicultural Education In Preparing Preservice Teachers To Teach In Culturally And Linguistically Diverse Classrooms., Janelle Maureen Penney Jan 2013

Multicultural Education For Preservice Teachers: An Exploration Of The Effectiveness Of Multicultural Education In Preparing Preservice Teachers To Teach In Culturally And Linguistically Diverse Classrooms., Janelle Maureen Penney

Communication & Leadership Dissertations and Theses

At a time when public school populations are becoming more diverse, teachers are becoming less diverse and often don’t have the multicultural education necessary to teach in diverse schools. This study examined the effectiveness of multicultural education at a university in the Pacific Northwest at preparing teachers to teach in culturally and linguistically diverse schools. The study utilized a two‐phase design to collect data that will assist education programs to develop multicultural education components that better prepare preservice teachers to teach in diverse schools. The first phase of the study explored the effectiveness of the current education program by examining …

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Reducing Reliance On Emergency Departments For Non-Urgent Care Through Patient Assistance: A Phenomenological Approach To Dialogue That Looks Outside Hospital Walls, Rosemary Younts Jan 2013

Reducing Reliance On Emergency Departments For Non-Urgent Care Through Patient Assistance: A Phenomenological Approach To Dialogue That Looks Outside Hospital Walls, Rosemary Younts

Communication & Leadership Dissertations and Theses

America's underserved are turning to emergency departments for non-urgent care at an alarming rate that is attracting national attention in an era of health reform, and prompting hospitals to offer patient assistance programs to help members of this patient population find other affordable care alternatives in the community. This study examined one such program, and the problem it is incurring with patients who continue to return to the emergency department despite receiving assistance. Moving away from the positivistic research norm found in literature, dialogic theory in the phenomenological tradition was used to investigate the lived experiences of patients being assisted …

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A Rhetorical Analysis Of Clint Eastwood's Speech At The 2012 Republican National Convention, Rene' Minder Jan 2013

A Rhetorical Analysis Of Clint Eastwood's Speech At The 2012 Republican National Convention, Rene' Minder

Communication & Leadership Dissertations and Theses

This study focuses on the speech given by Clint Eastwood on August 30, 2012 at the 2012 Republican National Convention. Using the neo-Aristotelian method to conduct a rhetorical analysis, the persuasiveness of Eastwood’s speech was analyzed and discussed. The uniqueness of this deliberative speech was the use of a visual prop, an empty chair, to convince the audience of President Obama’s inadequacies as a leader. While the speech contained persuasive components, it was the visual communication of the empty chair that turned the Eastwood’s speech into a national discussion. This study had to then turn to research on visual communication …

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Crisis Communication- What Is Your Emergency?, Kaelyn Johnson Jan 2013

Crisis Communication- What Is Your Emergency?, Kaelyn Johnson

Communication & Leadership Dissertations and Theses

This study is a rhetorical analysis of 911 active shooter calls. Working from frame theory it examines the types of communication that occur during crisis situations. This study reviews the actual audio tapes of the Columbine Colorado School shooting, the Trolley Square Salt Lake City UT shooting and the Arizona shooting of Congresswoman Gabby Gifford. This study provides a method for investigating the communication between caller to 911 and the telecommunicators that answer 911calls. It provides a baseline of the communication activities that are occurring and this method of communication is rapidly changing with pending text-mediated communication scheduled to take …

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What Changes Await Local Tv News?, Stephanie Ann Vigil Jan 2013

What Changes Await Local Tv News?, Stephanie Ann Vigil

Communication & Leadership Dissertations and Theses

Over the years, local television news stations across the nation have seen a dramatic decrease in viewership. Much like newspapers, fewer people are relying on television news for several reasons. Two of the biggest culprits are the age of new technology and social media. These two factors alone have reprogrammed people’s daily habits, changing the landscape of television news viewership and resulting in uncertain times at local television news stations. Few studies have been done on the future of local television news. Of the studies that have been conducted, it is clear to see that local news is still relevant …

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The Tell-Tale Tatt: A Critical Discourse Analysis Of How Tattoos Impact Impression Formation During The Hiring Process, Sarah E. Bishoff Jan 2013

The Tell-Tale Tatt: A Critical Discourse Analysis Of How Tattoos Impact Impression Formation During The Hiring Process, Sarah E. Bishoff

Communication & Leadership Dissertations and Theses

As tattoos have increased in popularity in recent years, the number of tattooed people applying for jobs in professional workplaces also has increased. This thesis explored how tattoos affect the impressions formed by potential employers during the hiring process. Symbolic Interactionism theory, based on the writings and concepts of George Mead, provides the basic theoretical framework for this study. The literature review examines several topics, including: how impressions are created; how conscious thought and unconscious thought impact impression formation; the importance of communication through visual messages; and how tattoos have evolved in recent society. Data for this study was gathered …

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Social Media In Higher Education: Networked Tools In A Traditional Strategy Organization, Trace M. Eddington Jan 2013

Social Media In Higher Education: Networked Tools In A Traditional Strategy Organization, Trace M. Eddington

Communication & Leadership Dissertations and Theses

This study examined (a) how the traditional organizational communication strategy in place at a university impacts the utilization and effectiveness of social media as a university communication tool, (b) to what extent and how effectively have relational and networked approaches been incorporated into the traditional structure of communication at a university, and (c) how the flow of communication and the social media strategy on campus are impacted by the traditional structure of the university, identifying any potential communication bottlenecks and workarounds. The literature review examined the theoretical underpinnings behind traditional strategy organizations and the communication challenges that can arise in …

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Which Organizational Communication And Culture Profile Will Augment And Increase The Effectiveness Of Team Xyz?, Morgen Nicole Marshall Jan 2013

Which Organizational Communication And Culture Profile Will Augment And Increase The Effectiveness Of Team Xyz?, Morgen Nicole Marshall

Communication & Leadership Dissertations and Theses

This thesis explores previous research in the fields of organizational communication and culture. Through the works of organizational communication scholars Deetz (1995), Conrad & Poole (2005), and Griffin (2009), the theory of critical communication in organizations is introduced as the foundation for effective communication, emphasizing the importance of participatory decision making in organizations. Through the works of organizational culture scholars Kotter & Heskett (1992), Schein (2004), and Cameron & Quinn (2011), principles of effective organizational culture are introduced, including shared values among stakeholders and adaptability within the industry. Together, these scholars lay the foundation for a study within a leading …

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E-Books & The Net Generation, Jamie Beasley Jan 2013

E-Books & The Net Generation, Jamie Beasley

Communication & Leadership Dissertations and Theses

Electronic books, otherwise known as e-books, are becoming increasingly popular in today’s technologically advanced culture. The publishing industry has evolved to meet consumers’ demands of e-book availability but many scholars, school districts, as well as the federal government, are starting to question the effects of the new mediums, and are trying to determine if e-books should be integrated into school curricula for enhanced learning. Therefore, through a quantitative research design, this study investigated the popularity of e-books as well as the impact that e-books are having on the reading habits of the students of today’s Net Generation – those who …

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The Impact Of Texting On Our Society: A Look Into The Utlization Of This Communication Conduit And The Possible Positive Or Negative Impact It Has On Drivers, Michelle Crowther Jan 2013

The Impact Of Texting On Our Society: A Look Into The Utlization Of This Communication Conduit And The Possible Positive Or Negative Impact It Has On Drivers, Michelle Crowther

Communication & Leadership Dissertations and Theses

Communication is an essential part of our everyday lives, without it we would have no way to form a community or societal structure that would allow us to effectively work and live amongst one another. Advances in technology, such as texting, have created a virtual forum for people to communicate within. Due to this change, other consequences, such as vehicle injuries and fatalities have become a recurring problem. To attempt to find potential positive or negative impacts that texting has on individuals while driving, 10 face-to-face interviews were conducted and 100 surveys were sent to a random sample of participants. …

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Immigration Reform Opponents Framing Propaganda As Fact To Influence Public Opinion, Christopher Barr Jan 2013

Immigration Reform Opponents Framing Propaganda As Fact To Influence Public Opinion, Christopher Barr

Communication & Leadership Dissertations and Theses

Propaganda is the deliberate, systematic attempt to shape perceptions, manipulate cognitions, and direct behavior to achieve a response that furthers the desired intent of the propagandist (Jowett & O’Donnell, 2005). This study is to see how propaganda is used by a anti-immigrant special interest organization to frame the debate and assist the televised press to set the agenda on the topic. Specifically, the attention of the study was on the conservative think tank The Heritage Foundation. The research explored in this thesis was founded on Shaw’s and McComb’s (1972) agenda-setting theory and Entman’s (1993) process of framing. The study applied …

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Parental Communication And The Impact On Student Performance, Nicholas K. Schreck Jan 2013

Parental Communication And The Impact On Student Performance, Nicholas K. Schreck

Communication & Leadership Dissertations and Theses

In the 1980s Epstein (1987) established that the more parents were involved in their child's education, the more likely that student was to succeed academically. Since then, scholars have evaluated how parents can become further involved to improve student scores, but there has been little research as to how the teachers and parents can effectively communicate using computer-mediated communication (CMC). By tying together research on both virtual communities and student achievement through Walther's Social Information Processing Theory, the research aimed to evaluate whether the successes of parental involvement in education could be achieved through the Internet. In this study, a …

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The Art Of Corporate Social Narrative: Promoting Social Change While Building Markets For Products And Services, Lydia Mccormick Mcghee Jan 2013

The Art Of Corporate Social Narrative: Promoting Social Change While Building Markets For Products And Services, Lydia Mccormick Mcghee

Communication & Leadership Dissertations and Theses

For over four decades, the outdoor clothing company Patagonia has promoted environmentalist ideologies though essays and photographs published in their print media. This strategy offers an eco-friendly narrative that resonates with many brand consumers, but the art of constructing and publicizing a corporate narrative with social purpose (i.e. corporate social narrative) has yet to be explored. In this thesis, Patagonia’s corporate social narrative is reviewed in light of Fisher’s narrative paradigm theory, the principals of corporate social marketing, social exchange theories, and the idea that visual imagery holds significant power in consumer markets. Major themes in Patagonia’s environmental narrative are …

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The 21st Century Educator: An Exploration Of The Communication Practices Of An 'Architect Of Learning', Darlene Leslie Wilson Jan 2013

The 21st Century Educator: An Exploration Of The Communication Practices Of An 'Architect Of Learning', Darlene Leslie Wilson

Communication & Leadership Dissertations and Theses

The 21st century has driven many changes in the classroom and to the teacher of yesterday. Existing teacher identities are in limbo as educational systems morph from dominant beliefs and ideologies to meet the new demands of a knowledge economy. The purpose of this study was to investigate teachers’ perceptions of their communication practices as 21st century educators. In particular, research focuses on teachers’ views of the province of Alberta’s vision of “teacher” as an architect of learning, and is explored via semi-structured personal interviews and classroom observations. Although there is ample research on teacher identity and issues related to …

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African-American Communication Within Corporate America: Challenges In Leadership, Jade D. Johnson Jan 2013

African-American Communication Within Corporate America: Challenges In Leadership, Jade D. Johnson

Communication & Leadership Dissertations and Theses

This study focuses on African-American communication and the role that it plays in the gap in African-American leadership within the corporate America environment. The thesis evidences numerous former studies around African-American communication practices and the impacts within the corporate sphere. Furthermore, the literature review includes the philosophical foundations that the larger body is based on. For instance, the thesis is using the egalitarianism philosophy of thought. From this perspective, the recommendations are examined through the lens that “basic institutions of society are charged with the task of advancing the interests of all members of society equally” (Christiano, 2008, p. 12). …

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Technological Change Within Union Environments: An Examination Of Existing Change Management Literature, Union Culture, And Critical Factors For Implementation Success, Bryan Altknecht Jan 2013

Technological Change Within Union Environments: An Examination Of Existing Change Management Literature, Union Culture, And Critical Factors For Implementation Success, Bryan Altknecht

Communication & Leadership Dissertations and Theses

In today’s business climate, organizational change is a perpetual challenge for those in leadership positions. Despite the substantial academic conversation surrounding successful management of change, one aspect which has received little research is technological change within the context of union populations. This project utilizes multiple theoretical frameworks to present critical components for success including; understanding reluctance toward change, the role of leaders, managing technology change, and specific implementation considerations for union populations. It then synthesizes those components into a formal training course designed to teach organizational leaders the skills necessary to overcome the challenges of implementing technology changes within union …

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The Demand/Withdraw Communication Pattern And The Success Or Failure Of Marriage Where One Partner Is From A Traditionally Non-Confrontational Culture, Marty Ray Rush Jan 2013

The Demand/Withdraw Communication Pattern And The Success Or Failure Of Marriage Where One Partner Is From A Traditionally Non-Confrontational Culture, Marty Ray Rush

Communication & Leadership Dissertations and Theses

The purpose of this research is to take foundational theories on demand/withdraw, StellaTing-Toomey’s Face Negotiation Theory, and conflict management, and analyze how these factors impact a relationship when one partner is from a traditionally non-confrontational culture such as Japan, Korea, or the Philippines. Through the use of online surveys and interviews with couples in intercultural relationships, this study seeks to breakdown the successes and failures in exogamous relationships and how the cultural eccentricities can help or hinder marital satisfaction. This research merely scratches the surface of the issue of demand/withdraw, but opens the door to more focused studies dealing with …

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News Media Influence On Perceptions Of Veteran Mental Health, Elizabeth Faye Weber Jan 2013

News Media Influence On Perceptions Of Veteran Mental Health, Elizabeth Faye Weber

Communication & Leadership Dissertations and Theses

This study investigated how news media communications affect public awareness and perceptions of the mental health concerns of post-deployed military of the recent Iraq war. Focus group research included 22 adult participants from the same geographic location with discussions on news media consumption behaviors and their perceptions of the mental health issues of veterans. Results revealed that news media consumption is preferred at a national level versus a local level, and that online news sources are utilized more frequently than television or print news sources. Participants with the least news media exposure admitted to the lowest awareness of veteran mental …

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Does The Use Of Social Media For Screening Affect The Hiring Process From The Perspective Of Applicant And Employer?, Corey Protzman Jan 2013

Does The Use Of Social Media For Screening Affect The Hiring Process From The Perspective Of Applicant And Employer?, Corey Protzman

Communication & Leadership Dissertations and Theses

Technology has allowed people to exchange information across multiple technological mediums and interact quicker, more easily, and more permanently. The purpose of this thesis was to determine the role social media plays in the hiring and screening process from the perspective of the applicant and employer. The study was rooted in the theories of Actor Networking, Issues Arenas, and Agenda Setting, while relying on concepts like digital divide to expand the breadth of work. An online survey was administered to 25 people who had been an applicant within the last year to gauge their use of social media and awareness …

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Cultural Performance And Organizational Transformation: A Case Study Of The Utah State University Football Program, Marques Chavez Jan 2013

Cultural Performance And Organizational Transformation: A Case Study Of The Utah State University Football Program, Marques Chavez

Communication & Leadership Dissertations and Theses

Methods of communication are often a significant reason for achieving organizational transformation. The primary aim of this study is to explain a case of organizational transformation by examining the cultural performances of organizational members—particularly the performance of ritual. The Utah State University football program served as the case study while qualitative interviews and narrative research provided the methodology for gathering and analyzing data. Communication expressed in the performance of ritual significantly contributed to fostering an environment of unity and trust within the organization which, in turn, spurred transformation. While rituals were key to fostering this environment, true sincerity from leadership …

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Multitasking And Communication In The Organization, Cayla A. Stephenson Jan 2013

Multitasking And Communication In The Organization, Cayla A. Stephenson

Communication & Leadership Dissertations and Theses

Because communication is an intricate part of how an organization works, and because organizations and employees alike are stressing the importance of multitasking on the job, studying the interaction of communication and multitasking is increasingly important. Studies relating to multitasking have revealed primarily negative impacts: doubling task completion time, overstimulating our brains to the point of dysfunction, generally diminishing our productivity, and extinguishing our stimuli filters and damaging our memories. Other studies show that we can use multitasking in a positive way by utilizing task trainings and practicing focused task completion. The study here completed two focus groups with 12 …

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