Introduction to Organizational Communication: Theory and Research into Practice

Introduction to Organizational Communication: Theory and Research into Practice is designed to explore the various theories, research, and communication practices related to organizing within the context of a workplace.

Unit I, Theories and Research of Organizing, delves into the foundational theories of organizational management. It covers classical approaches that emphasize efficient structures for organizing employees, human relations that recognize employees' social needs, human resources that value employees' contributions, cultural approaches that interpret organizational reality, systems theory that acknowledges organizational interdependence and openness, and critical approaches that challenge the status quo within organizations.

Unit II, Communication Practices of Organizing, shifts the focus to practical applications of communication in organizational settings. It addresses topics such as socialization, stress and burnout, conflict management, teamwork, diversity, leadership, and motivation and feedback. Each chapter includes readings from various authors who provide insights and research findings on the respective topics.

Providing students with a comprehensive understanding of organizational behavior with emphasis on communication as a central element of effective management and organizational success, the text is an ideal resource for courses and programs in organizational behavior and communication.

Kathleen M. Propp is a professor of organizational communication at Western Michigan University. She holds a Ph.D. from the University of Iowa, and her research and professional interests include decision making in team settings, gender and status bias, organizational socialization, human resource management, and conflict management.