Organizational Communication: Foundations, Challenges, and Misunderstandings

Organizational Communication: Foundations, Challenges, and Misunderstandings examines how communication is central to organizational life and the complexities and complications that arise as people attempt to coordinate their organizational activities. The text underscores the importance of the relationships we establish with the people with whom we work and how a better understanding of organizational communication theory and application can help us anticipate and manage misunderstandings in the workplace.

In Part One, students learn about classical and modern management theories, systems theory, and frameworks for understanding organizational communication, including organizational culture and critical theory.

In Part Two, the text covers topics traditionally covered in organizational communication textbooks through the lens of misunderstandings. Stories from organizational members highlight challenges and opportunities related to communicating in the organization. Realistic recruitment, socialization, the relationship between supervisors and subordinates, peer and team relationships, and leadership communication are addressed.

The fifth edition features new interview data; broader coverage of diversity; expanded discussions of emotions at work; and examinations of workplace bullying, blended relationships, and technology as it relates to gender and age.

Offering students a balanced mix of theoretical and practical information, Organizational Communication is an exemplary textbook for introductory organizational communication courses.

Daniel P. Modaff (Ph.D., The University of Texas at Austin) is an associate professor of communication studies at the University of Wisconsin La Crosse. His research focuses on organizational communication, and his work has been published in Management Communication Quarterly, Journal of Organizational Ethnography, and Journal of Values-Based Leadership, among others.

Jennifer A. Butler (Ph.D., Ohio University) is an associate professor of communication studies at the University of Wisconsin La Crosse. Her research has been featured in Management Communication Quarterly, Qualitative Communication Research, and Qualitative Research Reports in Communication, among other publications.