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Page 1
1.
In your own words, define organizational communication.
2.
Provide an example of an organization of which you are a member.
3.
Which approach to organizational management is described as treating people like they
are a part in a machine?
4.
Classical management relies on what two central ideas?
5.
In a single sentence, explain the difference between the human relations approach to
organizational management and the human resources approach.
6.
The systems approach suggests that to be successful, an organization must maintain
___________ , which is an awareness of its own imbalances and problems, and it must
remain _________ , allowing for change and growth.
7.
What term does your textbook use to refer to someone who has achieved great things for
an organization through persistence and commitment, often in the face of great risk?
8.
In your own words, define the terms mentor and protégé.
9.
Why do communication researchers believe peer relationships and peer communication
are important in organizations?
10.
When communicating with another person about a conflict, it is best to focus on the
______ and try to find a ___________.
11.
Why would an organization engage in surveillance activities?
12.
Cite one benefit and one challenge created by globalization.
13.
Provide an example of a work-life balance program offered through your own employer
or another employer you have read or heard about.
Page 2
14.
In your own words, define sexual harassment.
15.
How does an organization differ from other kinds of groups? Give an example of a
group and an organization that you belong to, and clearly explain why you would
categorize each as you have.
16.
Compare and contrast the four approaches to managing an organization. Do any offer
distinct advantages or disadvantages? Explain.
17.
Synthesizing what you have learned throughout this chapter and others, what do we
mean when we say that an organization has its own culture? How is this culture
different from and similar to the notion of culture as it has been discussed in other
chapters of the book?
18.
Consider the place where you work: What are its organizational stories? Describe how it
tells these stories. Are there organizational heroes who feature prominently in your
workplace's organizational stories? *If most of your students do not work, this question
can be adapted to focus on the organizational stories of the college they attend.
19.
Robin has just been hired for her first professional position, and she will be supervising
a team of several employees. Up until now, Robin has only worked in her family's small
business, so she's not really sure how a supervisor should interact with employees and
vice versa. Synthesizing what you have learned throughout this chapter, what advice
would you give her about how to communicate effectively in her new role as both a
supervisor and a supervisee?
20.
How do mentor-protégé relationships benefit mentors, protégés, and organizations?
What can we do to take advantage of these relationships if our organization doesn't offer
a formal mentor-protégé program?
21.
Carl has always tried to keep his work life and his personal life separated, but he has
confided in you that he feels like something is missing when he goes to work. What
would you say to him to help him understand the importance of having strong peer
relationships at work? How would developing these relationships benefit Carl? What
should he be careful of if he chooses to form stronger bonds with some of his
coworkers? What steps could Carl take to form healthy friendships with people at work?
Page 3
22.
How have new communication technologies and globalization changed the nature of
organizations in today's world?
23.
Explain the concept of work-life balance. Why is it important to employees, and why
are employers creating programs to support their employees' work-life balance? Use a
real or fictional narrative example to show how an organization with a progressive
work-life balance program might create a win-win situation for employees and the
organization itself.
24.
Synthesizing what you have learned in this chapter and others, discuss the problem of
sexual harassment in the workplace. Why would you characterize sexual harassment as
a problem not only for the victim but also for the organization as a whole? What steps
should you take to resolve matters of sexual harassment if you are the victim or if you
observe someone else being victimized?
25.
What is meant by global social enterprise?
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