User:Alexa Bierstock/Organizational communication

Feminist Approach
The feminist approach to organizational communication is a relatively new area of scholarship, originating in the 1970’s (Iannello, 1992). Similar to the critical approach, feminist theory highlights power relations in organizational structures and institutionalized male domination as an instrument of oppression against women (Papa et al, 2008). The feminist approach is intersectional, calling for the recognition of multiple voices and perspectives of race, sexuality, and nationality (Linabary et al, 2021). The underlying assumption in feminist organizational theory is that women generally adapt to male norms within the workplace but are still subject to female stereotypes (Shockley-Zalabak, 2015). The feminist approach aims to identify structural and cultural barriers in the workplace and how we can eliminate them (Shockley-Zalabak, 2015).

Linabary, Cruz, J. M., Allen, B. J., Chalupa, J. A., Dempsey, S. E., Glenn, C. L., Harris, K. L., Long, Z., McDonald, J., Musleh, S., Oktaviani, F. H., Parker, P. S., & Sobande, F. (2021). Envisioning more equitable and just futures: Feminist organizational communication in theory and praxis. Management Communication Quarterly, 35(1), 142–168. https://doi.org/10.1177/0893318920973598

Iannello. (1992). Decisions without hierarchy : feminist interventions in organization theory and practice. Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315021225

Papa, Spiker, B. K., Foulger, J., Daniels, T. D., & Daniels, T. D. (2008). Organizational communication : perspectives and trends (Revised edition.). SAGE Publications.

Shockley-Zalabak. (2015). Fundamentals of organizational communication : knowledge, sensitivity, skills, values (Ninth edition.). Pearson.

Role of Organizational Communication
Organizational communication refers to exchanging and transmitting information between individuals and groups within an organization (Papa et al, 2008). Communication is a central function of organizations, as the success of an organization is reliant on individuals coming together for the benefit of organizational success (Papa et al, 2008).

Understanding Organizations as People
Organizational communication provides insights and makes sense of the human processes that occur within organizations (Papa et al, 2008). This encompasses power struggles, teambuilding, conflict, decision making, compliance, and all other human aspects of an organization. In early years, organizations gave little regard to the psychological needs of employees. Organizational communication considers how to motivate individuals within an organization by ensuring human needs are met in the workplace (Papa et al, 2008).

Modern organizational communication studies consider work-from-home and remote work structures, a phenomenon that emerged during the COVID-19 pandemic as digital communication took the forefront (Sanders et al, 2020).

Effective and Ineffective Communication in Organizations
Organizational communication extensively covers what communication techniques are appropriate and effective in specific scenarios with a focus on effective management (Shockley-Zalabak, 2015). Informal and formal communication are both essential to an organization’s inner workings, but must be used appropriately (see Informal and Formal section HYPERLINK). Understanding effective communication techniques can be used to minimize and resolve conflict within an organization (Shockley-Zalabak, 2015)

Awareness of Communication Skills
The field of organizational communication strives to identify and teach successful communication skills that can be applied within the organization and on a personal level (Papa et al, 2008). As awareness of the functions of organizational communication has increased, organizations have had an elevated need for roles that focus on organizational consulting, job training, and career development (Papas et al, 2008).

Papa, Spiker, B. K., Foulger, J., Daniels, T. D., & Daniels, T. D. (2008). Organizational communication : perspectives and trends (Revised edition.). SAGE Publications.

Sanders, Nguyen, P. T., Bouckenooghe, D., Rafferty, A., & Schwarz, G. (2020). Unraveling the What and How of Organizational Communication to Employees During COVID-19 Pandemic: Adopting an Attributional Lens. The Journal of Applied Behavioral Science, 56(3), 289–293. https://doi.org/10.1177/0021886320937026

Shockley-Zalabak. (2015). Fundamentals of organizational communication : knowledge, sensitivity, skills, values (Ninth edition.). Pearson.