Organisational Communication Characteristics

The understanding of how individuals’ characteristics such as their communication styles affect the ways in which people create and sustain their social/communication networks. Research on organisational communication has focused on individual behavioural tendencies when they communicate with others. These behavioural tendencies are used by organisations to maintain positive relationships with their communities. Identification communication strategies in organisational communication are necessary in modern organisations and “frequent communication leads individuals to feel that they are active participants in the organisation” (Huff et al, 1989, pg. 1372). These strategies include; the common ground technique, identification through aesthesis …show more content…
Bove’e and Thill (2000) also define organisation communication as “the exchange of information and ideas within an organisation” (p. 7). Through the current understanding of organisational communication it is a regular occurrence in organisations, “organisational communication focuses on communication as a phenomenon that exists in organisations” (Jablin, 2000, p.5). Communication helps create shared meaning because it provides social context cues (Sproull & Kiesler, 1991), which leads to the perception of social presence (Fulk & Boyd, 1991), and creates a shared interpretive context among organisation members. Berelson & Steiner (1964) define communication as “the transmission of information” (p. 254). Organisations need communication in order to pass information within the organisation; therefore, communication is necessary for the allocation of staff, resources and decision …show more content…
Simon (1976) has indicated that identification occurs when “a person identifies himself with a group when, in making a decision, he evaluates the several alternatives of choice in terms of the consequences for the specified group”. Organisations use identification communication strategies to engage with women and often communication strategies are employed differently to that of males in organisations. The selection of the strategy imposed is determined by who the communicator wishes to converse with. Cheney (1983, p.145) argues that “it is crucial to recognise central features of the communication environment if we are going to understand how well contemporary organisations are behaving today”. The Identification communication strategy was transcribed by Cheney (1983) who used it as a script to help organisations identify organisational communication and processes towards communication in organisations (Cheney & Tompkins, 1987). Burkes identification communication strategies involve three steps in order to understand and identify the communication. The common ground technique involves the orator equates or links themselves with others in an open manner. An example of the common ground technique is an organisation tells employees directly that they share his/her values. Identification through aesthesis, this is the act of