Cultural Performance And Organizational Transformation: A Case Study Of The Utah State University Football Program,
2013
Gonzaga University
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 …
Multitasking And Communication In The Organization,
2013
Gonzaga University
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 …
Technology Use In A Virtual World To Build Organizational Culture And Identity,
2013
Gonzaga University
Technology Use In A Virtual World To Build Organizational Culture And Identity, Tim Carroll
Communication & Leadership Dissertations and Theses
Organizations are embracing agile work environments for their employees more and more every day. This thesis explores the ability to create and maintain organizational culture in a virtual world through technology use. As more of these organizations move to a virtual workplace it is becoming more imperative to find ways to connect these virtual employees together as peers and to the organization as a whole. This communication audit is formed using the cultural approach to organizational theory, by Geertz and Pacanowsky, and uses surveys as well as interviews to assess how effectively organizational culture is expressed and maintained through the …
Stories Of Money: Building Social Capital Through Time Banking,
2013
Gonzaga University
Stories Of Money: Building Social Capital Through Time Banking, Stacey Anne Jacobsohn
Communication & Leadership Dissertations and Theses
This study explored communication and ethical investment in social capital to improve quality of life through the lens of time banking, a model of alternative currency. Previous studies of time banking noted a distinct set of characteristics of time banks that contrast with capitalist-based systems while using similar language; these were compared to research of social capital and social networks. Seven participants were interviewed at-length as representatives of the time bank movement. Stories of money framed theoretical constructs in practice on a daily basis and future visioning of the movement. Further analysis using the dialogic ethic of Martin Buber and …
Sororities, Interpersonal Relationships, And A Dialogical Perspective,
2013
Gonzaga University
Sororities, Interpersonal Relationships, And A Dialogical Perspective, Jessica Lynn Fresques
Communication & Leadership Dissertations and Theses
This study focuses on interpersonal relationships and skills gained through sorority membership. The purpose of this research sought to develop the understanding of potential developmental outcomes, in which a sorority can provide to its members. Research methods used: online surveys and follow-up interviews. The dialogical perspective by Martin Buber helped develop an understanding of the I-thou relationship, whereas, each person within conversation is fully valued for what they have to say. In general, sororities are known as social organizations and the use of dialogue is important when communing or working with others. Alumnae who participated provided enough feedback to determine …
The Power Of Shame: A Critical Discourse Analysis Of Social And Cultural Expectations Communicated In Media,
2013
Gonzaga University
The Power Of Shame: A Critical Discourse Analysis Of Social And Cultural Expectations Communicated In Media, Sarah Tovah Matz
Communication & Leadership Dissertations and Theses
Shame is an inescapable human feeling, and its impacts on human interaction are well documented. This thesis focuses on the power of symbolic shame in media and presents a critical discourse analysis (Machin & Mayr, 2012) of three recent public service announcements. As a theoretical basis, the study examines shame from point of view of ritual communication, framing theory, and the symbolic communication of stigma. Although shame is often regarded as an effective means to communicate social and cultural expectations and a tool for balancing behavior in society, shame may also be used to create structures of power and agendas …
Story, Ritual, And Religion In Changing Social Climates,
2013
Gonzaga University
Story, Ritual, And Religion In Changing Social Climates, Denise Young Jackson
Communication & Leadership Dissertations and Theses
This study was created to investigate how ministers of the Montana/Northern-Wyoming Partnership express the story and ritual of religion in changing social climates. It was designed to answer three questions. RQ1) How are mission activities interpreted, defined, and given form through the storytelling by the ministers within the Church? RQ2) How do ministers integrate the mission statement and the mission activities into their Bible based storytelling? RQ3) How and for what purpose do ministers incorporate or connect issues and ideas from the secular sphere into religious-based storytelling? Since the dramatic social and economic changes in Montana as a result of …
You Really Like Me: Dialogic Social Media Use In Organizational Communication,
2013
Gonzaga University
You Really Like Me: Dialogic Social Media Use In Organizational Communication, Heidi Lee Keller
Communication & Leadership Dissertations and Theses
Social media is an interactive communication tool with the potential to strengthen organization-member relationships and contribute toward the achievement of organizational goals. Yet many nonprofit organizations use social media for one-way information delivery and do not take advantage of its dialogic potential. This study aims to contribute to the business case for investing in dialogic social media. Three nonprofit organizations that use social media dialogically were studied to identify the factors that set them apart from others. Walther’s social information processing theory (1993) and Buber’s philosophy of dialogue as a relational form of communication (Arnett, Grayson, & McDowell, 2008) were …
Communication In Crisis,
2013
Gonzaga University
Communication In Crisis, Blair Veloz
Communication & Leadership Dissertations and Theses
Many people today continually search for their identity in the world. In order for someone to effectively communicate, they must understand how they would communicate when they least want to, such as in a crisis situation. A crisis or multiple crises can affect how people see the world, themselves and ultimately how they will communicate in a time of trouble. With the use of Martin Buber and his view on I-Thou, this thesis assists in understanding the encounter with God and that He is what helps makes us complete. Helping others to reach this goal of communicating well, this thesis …
Servant-Leadership And Re-Establishment Of Organization Culture After Crisis,
2013
Gonzaga University
Servant-Leadership And Re-Establishment Of Organization Culture After Crisis, Reese Dayle Cooper
Communication & Leadership Dissertations and Theses
Organizations create a base for culture through the language in mission, vision, and value statements (Deetz, 1995). Organization culture is then shaped and molded by organization members (Deetz, 1995). As a result, members form organization identities (Mead, 1934). Identities are fluid and constantly being negotiated (Stewart, Zediker, & Witteborn, 2009, p. 82). At any moment, organizations can face crisis. During the crisis, identities are threatened and organization culture becomes unstable (Beer & Steif, 1997; Sen, 2006). Stabilizing organization culture is important to the long-term success of an organization and to the long-term success of individuals. This study uses a case …
Voter Suppression: The Rhetoric Of New Voting Laws And The Republican Agenda,
2013
Gonzaga University
Voter Suppression: The Rhetoric Of New Voting Laws And The Republican Agenda, Michael C. Mcgee
Communication & Leadership Dissertations and Theses
This study examines the rhetoric used by Republican politicians regarding voter ID laws. Using Kenneth Burke’s theory of cluster analysis, key words and clustering terms are analyzed to identify the speaker’s worldview. The main sections include: philosophical assumptions about political rhetoric, the theoretical basis derived from Burke’s identification and victimage theories, a review of literature on the history of voting in the United States, results and discussion from the analysis of selected rhetoric from Republican politicians, and areas of further study. Statements from Republican politicians in Iowa, Texas, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania were selected for the analysis. The results of …
Performing Communication Without Words: A Dramaturgical Exploration Of Communication Between Caregivers And Children Who Are Nonverbal,
2013
Gonzaga University
Performing Communication Without Words: A Dramaturgical Exploration Of Communication Between Caregivers And Children Who Are Nonverbal, Sara Mcgerald
Communication & Leadership Dissertations and Theses
Recognizing that human communication is highly expressive and it does not cease to exist if an individual is not able to produce spoken language, this thesis is an exploratory ethnographic study which seeks to utilize a dramaturgical perspective in identifying the function and structure of communication between children who are nonverbal (with a diagnosis of cerebral palsy) and their caregivers (Brissett & Edgley, 2009). The main informants for this study were two sets of parents with children diagnosed with cerebral palsy, who agreed to participate in twenty hours of engagement, which included direct interviews, observation, and personal interaction. The study …
The Intrapersonal Phenomenon: The Interactional Effects Of Intrapersonal Adjustments In The Organizational Change Of A Small Business,
2013
Gonzaga University
The Intrapersonal Phenomenon: The Interactional Effects Of Intrapersonal Adjustments In The Organizational Change Of A Small Business, Jennifer Wilkes
Communication & Leadership Dissertations and Theses
It is inevitable that change involves varying levels of communication. A relationship may consist of an individual's communication with one's self or with one or more persons. The functionality of a relationship depends on the effectiveness or ineffectiveness of the communication of those individuals involved. When change is necessary in any form of organization, the level of communication for each member plays a vital role, especially in a small company. Based on literature and theory, intrapersonal development and influence relies on the structure of one's cultural language. Language structure shapes one's inner speech and self-talk through processes of internalization. The …
How Skype And Face Time Have Changed The Way People Communicate Emotionally,
2013
Gonzaga University
How Skype And Face Time Have Changed The Way People Communicate Emotionally, Penelope Casarico
Communication & Leadership Dissertations and Theses
This thesis explores the relationship between technology and emotional communication, and focuses on how technology influences our personal thoughts, feelings, and emotions. By examining the philosophical assumption of Martin Buber that through our dialogue, there is mutual respect and appreciation for the other person involved because we hold that person in high regard and see that person in the image of God, this study seeks to answer the question, How have Skype and Face Time technology changed the way people communicate emotionally? The theoretical basis of this study focuses on Coordinated Management of Meaning, a theory that states that persons …
Effects Of Social Media On Individual Voting,
2013
Gonzaga University
Effects Of Social Media On Individual Voting, Noel Albert Bermudez
Communication & Leadership Dissertations and Theses
In the 2008 presidential campaign, Barack Obama established social media as an essential part of the campaign toolbox. Twitter, a widely-used social media site, provides a means of creating virtual communities that can instantly send messages and move "followers" to action. This thesis seeks to ascertain if Twitter messages - sent to known supporters by a presidential campaign asking a person to vote - can positively affect that person's likelihood to cast a ballot and, if so, would that vote be for the candidate whose campaign tweeted the message. Media ecology, as proposed by Marshall McLuhan and developed by Neil …
The Role Of Race In Marketing Communications,
2013
Gonzaga University
The Role Of Race In Marketing Communications, Brandice Patrice Saunders
Communication & Leadership Dissertations and Theses
Americans are living in an age ofadvertising and successfuJly marketing to the right groups at the right time can enhance a brands marketing edge. However, in order to consider marketing successful, the marketing communication's message needs to be created appropriately. Guided by Social Cognitive Theory and Stuart Hall's Encoding/Decoding theory, this thesis examined how marketing communications have been displayed to Blacks, Whites, and Hispanics via television commercials. Also examined were how marketing communications via television commercials were perceived by each ethnic group and whether that group identified with the communication or had a cultural affinity towards the message. Results of …
Generational Differences Within A Corporate Workplace,
2013
Gonzaga University
Generational Differences Within A Corporate Workplace, Marie Jakubek
Communication & Leadership Dissertations and Theses
The purpose ofthis study is to examine generational diversity issues within the corporate workplace in order to develop strategies that can be employed to increase intergenerational understanding, morale and, improve productivity. The theory used to frame this study is the Communication Accommodation Theory. This theory allowed for a better understanding of specific challenges and opportunities that can occur when working in a multigenerational workforce. It is important for corporations to effectively address these differences in generations and take advantage of the values and expectations of each generation to keep a happy and healthy workplace. Data for this study was collected …
Muted Women In American Political Discourse: Quieting The Loud Silence,
2013
Gonzaga University
Muted Women In American Political Discourse: Quieting The Loud Silence, Constance Michelle Skingel
Communication & Leadership Dissertations and Theses
This study examines the way women are denied an equal voice in American politics through disparities in our language structure and overt sexism. This thesis begins with a review of the literature which discusses the need for an equitable and just society and how the underlying structure of our language system is flawed in such a way that it subjugates women and inhibits the development of such a society. This is followed by a brief summary of why it is necessary for us to examine this societal disparity from the perspective of women themselves. This thesis uses a pentadic analysis …
Getting Thrown Under The Bus: The Impact Of Destructive Narcissistic Management On Group Sensemaking,
2013
Gonzaga University
Getting Thrown Under The Bus: The Impact Of Destructive Narcissistic Management On Group Sensemaking, Russell Allen Royston
Communication & Leadership Dissertations and Theses
Despite the vast research and scholarship on leaders with narcissistic traits and tendencies, little research has focused on the impact these leaders have on group communication. This thesis uses an ethnographic research methodology to explore a group under destructive narcissistic management. Karl Weick’s (1995) theory of organizational sensemaking is used to examine the affected group’s communication. The study was conducted from a phenomenological perspective of the group’s lived experience. Kierkegaard’s theory of communication is also applied to learn how the group made sense of was happening to them during a period of substantial change (Anderson, 1963). The results show that …
Ua3/9/3 President's Office-Ransdell Reading File,
2013
Western Kentucky University
Ua3/9/3 President's Office-Ransdell Reading File, Wku Archives, Virginia Brothers, Aaron Shuford
WKU Archives Collection Inventories
Reading file of outgoing correspondence regarding the administration of WKU, fund raising, thank yous and letters of condolence.
