Organizational Communication Commons^™

Organizational Culture, Knowledge Structures, And Relational Messages In Organizational Negotiation: A Systems Approach, Vincent P. Cavataio, Robert S. Hinck

Journal of Collective Bargaining in the Academy

This study examines a recent bargaining process between the Faculty Association and Central Michigan University. Taking a systems approach, we began with the assumption that a healthy organizational culture produces negative feedback which can help keep participants at the bargaining table despite disagreement. However, if organizational members’ relationships are threatened, organizational culture unravels as destructive messages provide positive feedback to disrupt the system and make impasse more likely. To understand how an university’s culture is impacted during contract negotiations we examined messages published in a university student newspaper, transcripts from the local NPR station, CMU’s press releases, a Facebook page, …

Exploring Communicative Aspects Of Client Satisfaction, Loyalty, And Retention In A Private, Non-Profit Organization: A Qualitative, Interview-Based Study Of Catholic Charities, Amanda Michelle Fortin

Dissertations and Theses

This thesis focuses on Catholic Charities (Hereafter CC), a non-profit agency that provides pregnancy and adoption support to families in times of crisis. Research and agency data reflect a positive association between the amount of time clients engage in services and the resolution of crises. Both theoretically and empirically, a key determinant of the depth and breadth of clients' engagement with both for-profit and non-profit services is their satisfaction with such services. In 2009-2010, CC's in-house, client surveys reported a decreasing level of client engagement with services. One clear trend was that clients discontinued services after thirty days or less. …

[The Development Of Public Relations In] Kenya, Dane M. Kiambi

College of Journalism and Mass Communications: Faculty Publications

This chapter traces the practice of PR from pre-independence Kenya to the 21st century. It emerges that the practice of PR is closely tied to major national events and to social, cultural, political and economic forces. PR roles as understood by the pre-independence colonial government: keeping the public informed on government development projects, assessing public opinion and advising government, endearing government to Kenyans and building the awareness of Kenya abroad have continued to modern-day Kenya.

Transformative Engagement In Deliberative Democracies: Exploring A Framework For Engagement Using A Creative, Braided Approach, Janell C. Walther

Department of Communication Studies: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Policymakers, scientists, academics, and organizational leaders have long been interested in the best way to engage, persuade, and educate stakeholders, no matter the topic (e.g., Mazer, 2013; Bell et al, 2013). While exploration of information dissemination and presentation is growing (Jones, 2013; Gutkind, 2005), particularly within highly mediatized networked societies (Castells, 2008), the necessity for engaging, persuading, and educating citizens in the public sphere through diverse approaches is increasingly obvious. In particular, it is important and relevant to creatively engage stakeholders and decision-makers in an interactive dialogue to allow for fuller understanding about complex topics, especially in the realm of …

Making Good: An Exploratory Study Of The Socialization, Identity, And Sensemaking Of Mission Trip Volunteers, Katelin Frederick

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

This research explored how mission trip volunteers assume various roles throughout their volunteer experience. By seeing the various roles that emerge in mission volunteer work, the identities that they construct based upon these roles are revealed. Discovering the ways in which these roles and constructed identities affect the way that mission trip volunteers could potentially help colleges improve their recruitment messages and distinguish themselves from other institutions. Semi-structured interviews were conducted to obtain data from the participants, and the data were analyzed through a thematic, constant comparative method. Findings revealed the types of stories heard from other mission trip volunteers …

President Barack Obama's Commencement Addresses: Revising The Functions Of Ceremonial Rhetoric, Milene Ortega Ribeiro

Graduate Research Symposium (2010 - 2017)

Commencement speakers are typically expected to praise students for their achievements and motivate them for the path that is to come. When the commencement speaker is a President, however, the expectation is different. In times of rhetorical presidency, no presidential address is apolitical, and this project investigated the functions of ceremonial rhetoric in light of the rhetorical presidency doctrine. Close textual analysis of the three most controversial commencement speeches delivered by President Obama, revealed that the challenge of fulfilling the expectations of a commencement address, while also responding to rhetorical problems, required the President to adopt complex rhetorical strategies. The …

Social Media And The Transformation Of The Humanitarian Narrative: A Comparative Analysis Of Humanitarian Discourse In Libya 2011 And Bosnia 1994, Ellen Noble

Political Science Honors Projects

Within humanitarian discourse, there is a prevailing narrative: the powerful liberal heroes are saving the helpless, weak victims. However, the beginning of the 21^st century marks the expansion of the digital revolution throughout lesser-developed states. Growing access to the Internet has enabled aid recipients to communicate with the outside world, giving them an unprecedented opportunity to reshape discourses surrounding humanitarianism. Through a comparative discourse analysis of Libyan Tweets, 1994 newspaper reports on Bosnia, and 2011 newspaper reports on Libya, this paper analyzes whether aid recipient discourse can resist the dominant humanitarian narrative and if that resistance can influence dominant …

Ua3/9/5 President's Office-Ransdell Speech File, Wku Archives

WKU Archives Collection Inventories

Speeches written and delivered by Gary Ransdell.

Communication At Superfund Sites And The Reification Of Division: Toward A Convergence-Building Model Of Risk Communication, Anna G. Hoover

Theses and Dissertations--Communication

This case study evaluates government communication practices at Superfund sites. I describe agency communication practices in Superfund communities, paying particular attention to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's

Seven Cardinal Rules of Risk Communication and its role as a model for federal agencies engaged at these sites. Situating the study within a theoretical milieu that includes sensemaking and symbolic interactionism, I examine whether current practices deepen divisions among stakeholders, reducing the possibility for communicative convergence.

I implement textual analysis and narrative inquiry to examine written and spoken communication about the Paducah Gaseous Diffusion Plant National Priorities List Superfund site. Through …

An Exploratory Study Of Online Information Regarding Colony Collapse Disorder, Meredith K. Boehm

School of Information Student Research Journal

The cause or causes of Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD) are uncertain. CCD defines specific characteristics of the nationwide deaths of honey bee colonies in the last decade. Adult bees often disappear from the hive and die, leaving the colony weak and vulnerable to disease. Environmental scientists and agriculturalists have developed many different theories about CCD and its origins. The different theories create challenges regarding the effective dissemination of information about CCD to the different realms of public information seekers. There is a need for an exploration of the online communication of CCD information using federal environmental agency web resources. CCD …

The Umbrella Effect: The Importance Of Converging Student Media At A University, Karlee Prazak

Journalism

Journalism today is much more than a single reporter, news anchor, photographer or videographer specializing in a single skill. Journalists today need to be multimedia journalists who have skills that encompass anything from writing a story to editing video. Currently, at California Polytechnic University, San Luis Obispo (Cal Poly), journalism students are learning these skills, but they are learning them separately. Within the three concentrations offered by the journalism department — broadcast, news/editorial and public relations — there are the three student media outlets: Central Coast PRspectives, Cal Poly TV, KCPR radio and the Mustang Daily newspaper. Few students, however, …

Find Oz And Lula Fundraising Event, Natalie Do, Rebecca Leong

Communication Studies

No abstract provided.

Central Florida Future, Vol. 42 No. 77, December 6, 2010

Central Florida Future

Giving students a home; Conference USA Championship; Liberty Bound; Jewish students team up for drive; Career Services preps for move; When studying comes second.

Central Florida Future, Vol. 42 No. 76, December 2, 2010

Central Florida Future

University mourns founder; Increases looming for decal rates; School reaps big returns for 2010; The heavy costs of Light Up UCF.

Shock Rhetoric, David Robert Nelson

Dissertations

Social movements create a public perception of themselves through rhetorical messages and demonstrations. In order to gain the public's attention, some radical groups use any rhetorical means necessary, including offensive remarks and conduct. Groups, such as the Westboro Baptist Church and Bash Back!, rhetorically challenge the boundaries of prudence. The purpose of this study is to identify, depict, and provide insight regarding shock rhetoric. This study will compare protest methods, visual imagery, and language choices used by Bash Back! and the Westboro Baptist Church. This dissertation helps illuminate why and how groups or individuals use shock rhetoric.

Central Florida Future, Vol. 42 No. 75, November 29, 2010

Central Florida Future

GRE improvement underway; The Sugar Connection; Prof. finds inmates feign mental illness; Video games help students stay active.

Central Florida Future, Vol. 42 No. 74, November 22, 2010

Central Florida Future

UCF cultural groups host fair; Speaking out for equality; Standup; Rosen hosts high school career fair; Sweet treats from around the world.

Central Florida Future, Vol. 42 No. 73, November 18, 2010

Central Florida Future

Cheating scandal still cloudy; Calming down; Former prof. suing over stereotypes; Hunger banquet to raise awareness.

Central Florida Future, Vol. 42 No. 72, November 15, 2010

Central Florida Future

Confusion surrounds scandal; Lighting up the Knight; UCF groups walk for autism; Theatre major setting stage for success.

Central Florida Future, Vol. 42 No. 71, November 11, 2010

Central Florida Future

Cheating uproar hits UCF; Bidding starts at; Gambling plagues college students; SGA pushes for parking at IM fields.

Central Florida Future, Vol. 42 No. 70, November 8, 2010

Central Florida Future

Giving hope for the holidays; 'High Grace' clothes; Experts provide investing advice; Students support fair wages by buying Alta Gracia clothes; Pozin pushes for efficient impeachments.

Central Florida Future, Vol. 42 No. 69, November 4, 2010

Central Florida Future

Enrollment keeps growing; The 10 largest universities in the United States; New man in charge; Mold issues linger around Peg. Landing; Red all around; All-Knighter block party to aid charity.

Central Florida Future, Vol. 42 No. 68, November 1, 2010

Central Florida Future

Med student aids homeless; Celebrating the Veterans; CBA alumni inducted into Hall of Fame; honor & respect; UCF holds 5K for pancreatic cancer.

Central Florida Future, Vol. 42 No. 67, October 28, 2010

Central Florida Future

UCF receives four grants; Cutting down distractions; Drivers' Safety; Police make room for new station, offices; Local band duals as students, musicians.

Central Florida Future, Vol. 42 No. 66, October 25, 2010

Central Florida Future

RSO requests on the rise; By he numbers; UCF Homecoming: Water spirits; UCF Homecoming: Skit Knight showcases student talent; Classes incorporate varied online aspects.

Central Florida Future, Vol. 42 No. 65, October 21, 2010

Central Florida Future

UCF receives its own Torah; Chikin Run; Video game helps with alcoholism; Anime Spot hosts killer mystery night.

Central Florida Future, Vol. 42 No. 64, October 18, 2010

Central Florida Future

expo promotes healthy life; Stand & Deliver; Undergrad nabs Sept. research award; Service Day carnival kicks off UCF's 2010 homecoming week; Splash Down festival brings fall fun, live music to UCF.

Central Florida Future, Vol. 42 No. 63, October 14, 2010

Central Florida Future

SGA takes on driving issues; Diagnosing the coral calamity; Cultural studies growing at UCF; Ombuds Office is UCF's safe haven

Central Florida Future, Vol. 42 No. 62, October 11, 2010

Central Florida Future

UCF flunks Trojan's report card; Delicate dance; Student's project nets her $10,000; Creep with costumes.

Central Florida Future, Vol. 42 No. 61, October 7, 2010

Central Florida Future

I.D.E.A.S. gets conference call; Vidoes offer hope, aid; Waldrop finds first months productive; UCF Homecoming; Now & Then in 2010.