As I read Arnett et al.'s argument for the omnipresence of an "organizational conscience" that frames the identity, narrative, and political life of a community, I found the idea of organizational memory to be somewhat at odds with many practical examples of organizational communication from my life (Arnett et al. 145). Whether among students in extracurricular clubs or new classmates, communication as it functions toward a shared goal or purpose (by definition, organizational communication) begins without a shared perception of that organization's communicative history. Even past this point, when, after weeks of mornings in the Ford Hall basement or years of group meetings, new "embedded agents" come along as cogs in the group wheel, organizational communication proceeds without an absolute, insoluble shared narrative (146). New members are, from the moment of their induction, essential to the communicative fabric of an organization, especially since their contention over, or misunderstanding of, the group's organizational memory is an example of "(emergent sayings) that offer a contending sense of the good" (146). And yet new members can offer narrative contention while contributing to the group's overall purpose, even through communicative action, without ever acknowledging or bothering to learn or accept the organization's communal memory. In other words, we can help our neighbors without knowing them.
That same memory shifts and adapts to these new, unaffiliated perspectives--the narrative contention introduced by new members, who hold no concept of the group's community of memory, becomes a part of and forever changes that narrative. Arnett and co. acknowledge that organizational memory is ever-shifting and far from concrete, subject to constant reinterpretation and existing alongside a multiplicity of competing organizational memories held by members of the same group. In light of these tacit admissions, I'd go one step further and suggest that the concept of organizational memory is rhetorically useless. In its attempt to envelop competing understandings of the good under a term that invites warm feelings of a shared narrative, "community of memory" is itself a contradiction that devalues the Other and confuses the individual's contribution to a group's purpose.
That purpose, I contend, exists separately from the narrative that inevitably forms around it. We can function as a group and work toward a shared purpose without a community of memory. To acknowledge the narrative and good of the Other, and how a multiplicity of these things forms a space of dialogic difference, is simply communication ethics. "Community of memory," meanwhile, is an umbrella term that unnecessarily tries to make sense of otherness in a space where we intuitively expect sameness. But organizational communication is just communication between people "to accomplish a given purpose or purposes" (Arnett et al. 138). To be ethical in our communication, we don't need a term that lumps together what we already know and respect in the Other under a notion of "shared difference." Shared difference is just difference, and to assimilate competing goods into a single organizational story downplays the communicative life that postmodernity breathes.
Monday, March 31, 2014
Chapter 8
Chapter eight talks about communication ethics within the context of different organizations and how we construct our lives and the way we communicate based on different "dwellings"(the types of space for home created for communication within an organization). What I found interesting about this idea is that it seems (at least to me) to have less reliance on the "good", or at least the idea of a common good. Page 138 says organizational communication ethics requires "minimal common understanding of a given good" and can even "displace a particular sense of the good". The book stresses that organizations are made of with different people with varying ideas and understandings of good, which I find interesting because I think some of the other things we have read have had more of a focus on finding or understanding a more specific good or idea of "the good" in order to have more effective communication ethics. I like this idea that not only do the organizations differ, but so do the ideas and people within them.
Another thing that stuck out to me in chapter 8 was the idea of community of memory. What I found most intriguing about this topic was the idea that community of memory is meant to guide, not dictate. The book says "it responds to changing circumstances within an organization or risks becoming simply a dead tradition" (146). I could not agree with this statement more. We talk a lot about the idea of memory and it being flexible and changing over time a lot in one of my cultural studies classes about history, and I think that in order for these organizations the book describes to keep moving forward, so do the memories. The book talks about how memories change over time because multiple people contribute to them and it is this combination of the past and present that keep community of memory from becoming static. I think this really shows that not only do the memories and ideas change from one communicate or organization to another, but they are evolving within organizations as well. I think this relates to what the book says about the importance of both the "what" and the "how" of community of memory. It is the idea/memory and the evolution and effect on the understanding.
Another thing that stuck out to me in chapter 8 was the idea of community of memory. What I found most intriguing about this topic was the idea that community of memory is meant to guide, not dictate. The book says "it responds to changing circumstances within an organization or risks becoming simply a dead tradition" (146). I could not agree with this statement more. We talk a lot about the idea of memory and it being flexible and changing over time a lot in one of my cultural studies classes about history, and I think that in order for these organizations the book describes to keep moving forward, so do the memories. The book talks about how memories change over time because multiple people contribute to them and it is this combination of the past and present that keep community of memory from becoming static. I think this really shows that not only do the memories and ideas change from one communicate or organization to another, but they are evolving within organizations as well. I think this relates to what the book says about the importance of both the "what" and the "how" of community of memory. It is the idea/memory and the evolution and effect on the understanding.
This chapter has a lot of information and covers a variety of topics. The book breaks down the chapter in four categories, Organizational communication, Dwelling place, Organizations and Institutions, and finally community of memory within organizations. There are two topics that I can easily relate two that helped me have a better understanding of Organizational Communication Ethics.
The first topic is the dwelling place. Luke mentioned in his blog post that he would refer to the football team, I am going to do the same but mine is in a different manner. I work for the football team so although we spend a lot of time together, my experiences are a bit different. Working for the football team is a unique dwelling place. I work 40 or more hours a week and but they aren't your typical daytime hours. It is common to see many coworkers in the office till 1am and back in the office again at 5am for morning workouts. The book said "No dwelling place can please all" and that "Each organization constructs a particular sense of dwelling that welcomes some and dismisses others" (141). I have seen this a lot with other coworkers who do not handle the hours well and cannot keep up with the work and quit very early. The football program takes its work very seriously and you learn what is expected on day one. I constantly have my phone available at anytime of the day or night incase I need to be reached by my boss or a coach. I have a constant engagement with my work/dwelling place.
The other topic I wanted to relate this to is Organizations and Institutions. When we are on the road for games, once all the work is done it is common for some employees to go the night before the game. We are reminded on every trip that we represent not only the football team but also the University. It is a simple connection but the University of Minnesota is an institution while the Minnesota Football team is an organization of that institution.
The first topic is the dwelling place. Luke mentioned in his blog post that he would refer to the football team, I am going to do the same but mine is in a different manner. I work for the football team so although we spend a lot of time together, my experiences are a bit different. Working for the football team is a unique dwelling place. I work 40 or more hours a week and but they aren't your typical daytime hours. It is common to see many coworkers in the office till 1am and back in the office again at 5am for morning workouts. The book said "No dwelling place can please all" and that "Each organization constructs a particular sense of dwelling that welcomes some and dismisses others" (141). I have seen this a lot with other coworkers who do not handle the hours well and cannot keep up with the work and quit very early. The football program takes its work very seriously and you learn what is expected on day one. I constantly have my phone available at anytime of the day or night incase I need to be reached by my boss or a coach. I have a constant engagement with my work/dwelling place.
The other topic I wanted to relate this to is Organizations and Institutions. When we are on the road for games, once all the work is done it is common for some employees to go the night before the game. We are reminded on every trip that we represent not only the football team but also the University. It is a simple connection but the University of Minnesota is an institution while the Minnesota Football team is an organization of that institution.
Chapter 8: Organizational Communication Ethics
What struck me about organizational communication ethics is the notion of competing goods
within an organization or institution and also the idea of the “community of memory.”
The idea of community of memory is defined by the book as “both a collection of the past and
an engagement with the future.” (147). The book also says that a community of memory works
as a conscience or guide, not as a dictate; it responds to changing circumstances within an
organization…” (146). I find these definitions to be truly thought provoking. I agree with the
books explanation, and can see how the idea of community of memory can apply to my own life.
For example, at my workplace, “community of memory” is a collection of situations and events
that have occurred not just at my particular store, but also at other stores in branches across the
US. These are compiled for us via weekly company updates, monthly company magazines,
and yearly corporate training manuals. They share not only updated goals and policies, but
also the stories of individual employees who are celebrating milestones, achieving success, or
representing the company in an innovative way. They alert employees of company problems,
and help us make necessary reforms to improve for the future. These various media pieces help
employees understand the goals of the company as well as connect with one another, and feel
like we are a “team.”
The idea of competing goods can also be applied to the workplace. The company as a whole
sometimes expresses different expectations than upper management at an individual branch.
It then becomes an issue of “what is good for the individual branch?” vs “what is good for the
organization as a whole?” Employees must often navigate situations where these two competing
goods are directly at odds. Whereas corporate policy is more general and idealistic, individual
branch policy tends to recognize specific situations, because these situations have occurred
before. It is important to recognize that competing goods exist even within a single organization.
within an organization or institution and also the idea of the “community of memory.”
The idea of community of memory is defined by the book as “both a collection of the past and
an engagement with the future.” (147). The book also says that a community of memory works
as a conscience or guide, not as a dictate; it responds to changing circumstances within an
organization…” (146). I find these definitions to be truly thought provoking. I agree with the
books explanation, and can see how the idea of community of memory can apply to my own life.
For example, at my workplace, “community of memory” is a collection of situations and events
that have occurred not just at my particular store, but also at other stores in branches across the
US. These are compiled for us via weekly company updates, monthly company magazines,
and yearly corporate training manuals. They share not only updated goals and policies, but
also the stories of individual employees who are celebrating milestones, achieving success, or
representing the company in an innovative way. They alert employees of company problems,
and help us make necessary reforms to improve for the future. These various media pieces help
employees understand the goals of the company as well as connect with one another, and feel
like we are a “team.”
The idea of competing goods can also be applied to the workplace. The company as a whole
sometimes expresses different expectations than upper management at an individual branch.
It then becomes an issue of “what is good for the individual branch?” vs “what is good for the
organization as a whole?” Employees must often navigate situations where these two competing
goods are directly at odds. Whereas corporate policy is more general and idealistic, individual
branch policy tends to recognize specific situations, because these situations have occurred
before. It is important to recognize that competing goods exist even within a single organization.
Chapter 8 Blog Post
This chapter was interesting because it provided new and
deeper ways of perceiving organizations that I haven’t thought of before. There
are many types of organizations to be included in that “give meaning beyond our
individual selves” (p. 145). Organizational communication ethics have an array
of different understandings of the good, but ultimately “addresses the
practices and functions of communication in organizations that protect and
promote a particular good that defines a dwelling place” (p. 140). Furthermore,
a dwelling place is an area that gives an organization separation from other
organizations by their practices and stories (p. 138).
This leads me to briefly discuss the importance of the community
of memory within an organization. I interpreted this concept as a community of memory
within an organization as being the said practices and understandings that give
an organization its individuality. This can be simplified into what an
organization deems as good. The community of memory reinforces the
organizations past that ultimately engages the present and into the future (p.
147).
In hopes that I am understanding the concepts between
organizations and institutions and regarding the “said” and “saying” correctly,
an example that I can provide that pertains to this chapter is to mention a
popular hotel organization that I am involved in. As this particular hotel is
considered an organization, it is closely linked to a larger institution of the
hotel service industry that ultimately gives the hotel that I work at its identity
and public recognition. The hotel’s community of memory surrounds its mission
to provide exceptional customer service (the said), and creates guidelines that
reinforce this mission (the saying) in order to protect and promote the given
good of this particular organization.
Chapter 8 Organizational Communication Ethics
Overall, I found this chapter to be fairly interesting, especially when I started trying to tie the concepts into organizations that I am involved with. As defined by the book, organizational communication is "the orchestrating of communicative practices through formal and informal structures of events and persons in a given organization to accomplish a given purpose or purposes" (138). However, the part that I found particularly intriguing was the concept of the "saying," or "the current living practices," and the "said," or "the memories of past and current public practices that form a substrate for future communicative action" (142). Both of which are used to protect and promote a given good. In class we often talk about ethics being a negotiation. Here we see a negotiation between what an organization has stood for in the past, the "said," and how they are willing to adapt to emergent historical moments, the "saying." I think the success of an organization is often gauged on how well they can navigate between the two and hold true to their overall good in the process.
Now, I thought that I was going to be original in saying this, but looking through some of the earlier blogs I'm not the first. However, the first thing that came to mind while reading this was the church, whether it be the Catholic church, a protestant one or a non-denominational one. The "said" would be something along the lines of that the gospel be proclaimed and that the church works for justice and peace by loving God with all their heart, mind, soul and strength, and loving their neighbors as themselves. Feel free to debate that, and I understand that with each church there will be minor doctrinal differences that influence how they might define "the good," but let's roll with this for now. The problem that many people have with some churches today is that they're not all saying what they have previously said. Some are corrupt. Some preach a legalistic doctrine resembling a Pharisaic approach, that you have to this, this, this and the other thing to earn a proper standing with God. Some are exclusive, not allowing certain demographics. The list goes on, and so it's understandable why so many people resent Christianity. It's understandable when you hear the church being associated with words like hypocritical. It seems as if some churches, again not all, have let the historical moments get the best of them instead of holding true to their their foundation like the fraternity and sorority example in the book when they held true to their values while adapting to the new hazing rules. It all starts with the participants in a given organization, in this case the Christians within the church to not just preach, but live, and not in light of legalism and begrudging submission, but love and grace. And to let it go unsaid will only lead to problems which are quite evident today because "Disaster rests with the inarticulate, a failure to make the organizational mission and purpose explicit in day-to-day life" (141-142).
Now, I thought that I was going to be original in saying this, but looking through some of the earlier blogs I'm not the first. However, the first thing that came to mind while reading this was the church, whether it be the Catholic church, a protestant one or a non-denominational one. The "said" would be something along the lines of that the gospel be proclaimed and that the church works for justice and peace by loving God with all their heart, mind, soul and strength, and loving their neighbors as themselves. Feel free to debate that, and I understand that with each church there will be minor doctrinal differences that influence how they might define "the good," but let's roll with this for now. The problem that many people have with some churches today is that they're not all saying what they have previously said. Some are corrupt. Some preach a legalistic doctrine resembling a Pharisaic approach, that you have to this, this, this and the other thing to earn a proper standing with God. Some are exclusive, not allowing certain demographics. The list goes on, and so it's understandable why so many people resent Christianity. It's understandable when you hear the church being associated with words like hypocritical. It seems as if some churches, again not all, have let the historical moments get the best of them instead of holding true to their their foundation like the fraternity and sorority example in the book when they held true to their values while adapting to the new hazing rules. It all starts with the participants in a given organization, in this case the Christians within the church to not just preach, but live, and not in light of legalism and begrudging submission, but love and grace. And to let it go unsaid will only lead to problems which are quite evident today because "Disaster rests with the inarticulate, a failure to make the organizational mission and purpose explicit in day-to-day life" (141-142).
Chapter 8
This chapter was about organizational communication ethics, a topic that I'm very familiar with since I work in the HR field. The chapter began discussing what organizational communication ethics were, and I really liked how they defined it. The authors stated that "organizational communication ethics addresses the practices and functions of communication in organizations that protect and promote a particular good that defines a dwelling place" (p.140). This definition is great because it shows that each location of work might have a different "good" that is seen as the most beneficial or cherished at their particular company. However, the authors sum up to say that some goods need to be negotiated in order to complete the goals of the company. For example, one good might benefit the company more than another, so they would opt to using that good instead. This is really important because it shows how all the team members might have a voice within the organization. I think in order for a company to have a future, it needs to cater to the majorities wishes, and not just upper managements wants and needs.
By having these separate goods, a company/organization is able to become more competitive in their own arena because they have differences that many employees and managers may want or need in their environment. Due to the "community of environment" companies are able to see what was helpful to them in the past and what wasn't helpful. For example, one policy may have helped a team thrive in the past, however, when times have changed, it could have made the company be inefficient. All in all, this is a really interesting topic that shows how effective a workplace could really be if they practiced ethics more.
By having these separate goods, a company/organization is able to become more competitive in their own arena because they have differences that many employees and managers may want or need in their environment. Due to the "community of environment" companies are able to see what was helpful to them in the past and what wasn't helpful. For example, one policy may have helped a team thrive in the past, however, when times have changed, it could have made the company be inefficient. All in all, this is a really interesting topic that shows how effective a workplace could really be if they practiced ethics more.
Chapter 8: Organizational Communication Ethics Blog
Chapter 8 was on the topic of Organizational Communication Ethics. The main points that are covered in this chapter are 1) Organizational communication, 2) Dwelling place, 3) Organizations and institutions, and 4) Community of memory within organizations. "Organizational communication is the orchestrating of communicative practices through formal and informal structures of events and persons in a given organization to accomplish a given purpose or purposes," (p. 138). In essence, this is the form of communication used to reach your particular goal. It is necessary to have ethics in organizations, in order to know what rules to abide by and accomplish what they are trying to achieve.
The second topic that I found interesting in the chapter was community of memory within organizations. "The community of memory of an organization is a sense of organizational conscience, retaining what a given organization deems as good," (p. 145). Basically what I got out of this section was that the community of memory is telling us the things that have and have not worked, and tells us where the organization might be headed in the future. One quote that I found interesting was that, "Danger lurks whenever a community of memory goes dormant, seemingly hibernating, no longer an active part of everyday decision making," (p.149). I thought this was interesting because, just as people change, organizations do as well, and they have to be able to undergo necessary change.
The last topic that I will discuss, and the one I found most interesting was Dwelling place. According to our book,"A dwelling place is a gathering of communicative practices and stories that gives an organization a sense of uniqueness, separating a specified organization from others within the same industry," (p. 138). I found this part of the chapter interesting when we read about the "saying" and the "said". "The "saying" refers to the current living practices that manifest a given good; the "said" refers to memories of past and current public practices that form a substrate for future communicative action," (p. 142). When I was reading over this part, I just kept thinking of the law, and how laws change with time. "As the demands of a given historical moment shift, an organization must find within itself the resources with which to respond to historical changes and demands, beginning with reflection upon what has been and is valued in an organization (the "said")," (p. 142). For example, recently the law has been changing in the fact that some states now allow (saying) gay marriage, whereas in the past (the "said") gay marriage was not allowed and rejected amongst many. I think the "good" in legalizing gay marriage is that of love. My other thought during this chapter was that on the legalization of marijuana and the law. In regards to the "saying" and the "said" I thought about marijuana and how once illegal in all states, medical marijuana is now legal in 20 states, and legal in 2 states for recreational use. It would be interesting to hear other people's thoughts on what they thought of in regards to the "saying" and the "said".
The second topic that I found interesting in the chapter was community of memory within organizations. "The community of memory of an organization is a sense of organizational conscience, retaining what a given organization deems as good," (p. 145). Basically what I got out of this section was that the community of memory is telling us the things that have and have not worked, and tells us where the organization might be headed in the future. One quote that I found interesting was that, "Danger lurks whenever a community of memory goes dormant, seemingly hibernating, no longer an active part of everyday decision making," (p.149). I thought this was interesting because, just as people change, organizations do as well, and they have to be able to undergo necessary change.
The last topic that I will discuss, and the one I found most interesting was Dwelling place. According to our book,"A dwelling place is a gathering of communicative practices and stories that gives an organization a sense of uniqueness, separating a specified organization from others within the same industry," (p. 138). I found this part of the chapter interesting when we read about the "saying" and the "said". "The "saying" refers to the current living practices that manifest a given good; the "said" refers to memories of past and current public practices that form a substrate for future communicative action," (p. 142). When I was reading over this part, I just kept thinking of the law, and how laws change with time. "As the demands of a given historical moment shift, an organization must find within itself the resources with which to respond to historical changes and demands, beginning with reflection upon what has been and is valued in an organization (the "said")," (p. 142). For example, recently the law has been changing in the fact that some states now allow (saying) gay marriage, whereas in the past (the "said") gay marriage was not allowed and rejected amongst many. I think the "good" in legalizing gay marriage is that of love. My other thought during this chapter was that on the legalization of marijuana and the law. In regards to the "saying" and the "said" I thought about marijuana and how once illegal in all states, medical marijuana is now legal in 20 states, and legal in 2 states for recreational use. It would be interesting to hear other people's thoughts on what they thought of in regards to the "saying" and the "said".
Chapter 8 Blog Post
I found this chapter pretty interesting especially the idea of the active community memory. The book states, "A community of memory is not a place of static collection of old stories" (p. 147), yet the basis of so many community structures is a common set of stories or memory. However like the book says in order for these old stories or memories to survive the community must be vibrant and growing, meaning to me that in order for the old to be remembered someone has to be interested in the new. I think that while this helps to foster the communal good that a community needs in order to keep the bonds between them strong, it more importantly forges the path for the community to grow and spread. People look to communities as places to go to learn, feel accepted, and to grow and to me one of the major aspects of choosing a community is the core values (which I think is the same as the good). No one wants to join a company that is known for being unethical, or go to a university that accepts cheating. These are just a few examples.
I like to use football as an example since it is somewhere I go everyday and see some of these concepts applied. When looking at organizational ethics, I thought of the football team and recruiting. Every time a high school prospect comes on a visit or talks to a team member they are trying to figure out our ethical codes, and our memory. A lot of these recruits want more than just the fancy facilites or gear, they want a team that reflects their values. For us it is a team that values hard work and earning what you get, because this is our "good" the team attracts a certain type of recruit. One that shares that same value set.
I like to use football as an example since it is somewhere I go everyday and see some of these concepts applied. When looking at organizational ethics, I thought of the football team and recruiting. Every time a high school prospect comes on a visit or talks to a team member they are trying to figure out our ethical codes, and our memory. A lot of these recruits want more than just the fancy facilites or gear, they want a team that reflects their values. For us it is a team that values hard work and earning what you get, because this is our "good" the team attracts a certain type of recruit. One that shares that same value set.
Organizational Communication Ethics of Amazon
Hey all,
Saw this article on Salon.com about the Organizational Communication Ethics of Amazon. Thought a few of you might be interested...
responding to this post will count as a response post.
Saw this article on Salon.com about the Organizational Communication Ethics of Amazon. Thought a few of you might be interested...
responding to this post will count as a response post.
Sunday, March 30, 2014
Chapter 8
This chapter was a little hard to follow. The parts I was able to pull information from were those that included examples. I'm not sure if it was me or the readings, but we weren't seeing eye to eye at all. I was able to pull the main ideas from the chapter and the definitions of organizational communication, dwelling place, organizations and institutions, and community of memory within organizations.
The chapter defined organizational communication as, "practices that announce how formal and informal structures of events and persons in a given organization interrelate to accomplish a purpose." To put it simply the things that need to be done to complete our tasks. The definition the chapter gives on dwelling place seemed vague, but the example it uses gives the necessary information to infer a good definition. Its defied as the type of communicative home a given organization invites by its communicative practice. Then the chapter compares dwelling place in a students life. The main idea of dwelling place is that in every organization be it fraternity, sorority, activist groups, etc its up to us to choose which one best suits us.
Organizations and institutions were defined as entities that work together to form gestalt identity. This definition is a pretty concise one, which could have been stretched out more. They gave good examples showing how they work together. For example the chapter stated credit unions, banks, and savings and loans can all be seen as organizations, but they all fall under the institution of financial services. This is a unique way of looking at it, most people wouldn't see it in this way or at least wouldn't be able to distinguish between the two because the terms are almost synonymous.
Community of memory within organizations was defined as a sense of organizational conscience, retaining what a given organization deems as good. In my opinion I think the community of memory is just a basic idea as to whats right, things that have worked and things that have not, which set a guideline for the organization to go by. The chapter makes it clear that in the community of memory within an organization definition everyone doesn't see eye to eye its subjective to an extent. But thats just my opinion anyone feel free to tell me their views on it, because I felt this chapter was a little harder to understand.
The chapter defined organizational communication as, "practices that announce how formal and informal structures of events and persons in a given organization interrelate to accomplish a purpose." To put it simply the things that need to be done to complete our tasks. The definition the chapter gives on dwelling place seemed vague, but the example it uses gives the necessary information to infer a good definition. Its defied as the type of communicative home a given organization invites by its communicative practice. Then the chapter compares dwelling place in a students life. The main idea of dwelling place is that in every organization be it fraternity, sorority, activist groups, etc its up to us to choose which one best suits us.
Organizations and institutions were defined as entities that work together to form gestalt identity. This definition is a pretty concise one, which could have been stretched out more. They gave good examples showing how they work together. For example the chapter stated credit unions, banks, and savings and loans can all be seen as organizations, but they all fall under the institution of financial services. This is a unique way of looking at it, most people wouldn't see it in this way or at least wouldn't be able to distinguish between the two because the terms are almost synonymous.
Community of memory within organizations was defined as a sense of organizational conscience, retaining what a given organization deems as good. In my opinion I think the community of memory is just a basic idea as to whats right, things that have worked and things that have not, which set a guideline for the organization to go by. The chapter makes it clear that in the community of memory within an organization definition everyone doesn't see eye to eye its subjective to an extent. But thats just my opinion anyone feel free to tell me their views on it, because I felt this chapter was a little harder to understand.
Chapter 8, Organizational Communication Ethics
In our daily life, we get many chances to see variety of organizations such as class mates, friends, co-workers, and online communities. When we are having communication we need to know certain things to become a solid organization. If there are no ethics in organizations, people will not be able to arrange the rules and accomplish what they are trying to achieve.
Organizational communication is an arranged communicative method in formal or informal organization to achieve something they want. For example, when we have discussion during classes, we face to many different kinds of stories from many different people. Sometimes there are some stories what most people cannot understand or do not like. However, the purpose of class discussion is not attacking each other and prove who is wrong or not. We should respect each other's differences and try to think of other opinions that can support or counter argument to achieve healthy beneficial communication in our organization which is our class.
Dwelling place is something different from cozy home with warmth and care. It is a way of communicating in a certain organization with a uniqueness and differentiate from other organizations within the same area. When I was in Indian Feminism class in last semester, there were only about 10 students in that classroom. I did not like that class at the beginning because I had too much opportunities to speak during the class. However, when we started to talk about women rights of the world, people started to tell about their personal stories that they would not tell anyone at outside. At that time, that was the first time I started to think that classroom was a safe zone, and it was totally unique class compare to other classes.
Community of memory within organizations. It is some kind of compromises between communicators within organization when they try to find mistakes did not work while communicating each other and try to establish particular communicative life together and shaping a given dwelling place. When I was in middle school, I did not like to communicate with my father because he was very strict and spoke kind of harsh for middle school kid. Because I did not live with my father since I was nine years old, we did not have that many chances to get to know each other before we started to have serious conversations. When I become 22, he started to tell me about his situations and our family issues. After he started to think that the way I think is different from when I was young, he told me that he is always sorry that he was so harsh to me. Because I was the first child, he thought it would be better to raise me strong. After I learn how to talk and persuade my father, we started to have a real conversation, and now we succeeded to become a happy family.
Organizational communication is an arranged communicative method in formal or informal organization to achieve something they want. For example, when we have discussion during classes, we face to many different kinds of stories from many different people. Sometimes there are some stories what most people cannot understand or do not like. However, the purpose of class discussion is not attacking each other and prove who is wrong or not. We should respect each other's differences and try to think of other opinions that can support or counter argument to achieve healthy beneficial communication in our organization which is our class.
Dwelling place is something different from cozy home with warmth and care. It is a way of communicating in a certain organization with a uniqueness and differentiate from other organizations within the same area. When I was in Indian Feminism class in last semester, there were only about 10 students in that classroom. I did not like that class at the beginning because I had too much opportunities to speak during the class. However, when we started to talk about women rights of the world, people started to tell about their personal stories that they would not tell anyone at outside. At that time, that was the first time I started to think that classroom was a safe zone, and it was totally unique class compare to other classes.
Community of memory within organizations. It is some kind of compromises between communicators within organization when they try to find mistakes did not work while communicating each other and try to establish particular communicative life together and shaping a given dwelling place. When I was in middle school, I did not like to communicate with my father because he was very strict and spoke kind of harsh for middle school kid. Because I did not live with my father since I was nine years old, we did not have that many chances to get to know each other before we started to have serious conversations. When I become 22, he started to tell me about his situations and our family issues. After he started to think that the way I think is different from when I was young, he told me that he is always sorry that he was so harsh to me. Because I was the first child, he thought it would be better to raise me strong. After I learn how to talk and persuade my father, we started to have a real conversation, and now we succeeded to become a happy family.
Friday, March 28, 2014
Ch. 8 Organizational Communication Ethics
This chapter caught me off guard/intrigued me due to me never thinking of certain themes of life as dwelling places. From using technology to going to church, school or to a sporting event, a dwelling place is created, and norms and customs are created which produce a communicative gathering as a result. The chapter said, "organizational communication ethics is about the kind of dwelling place we construct in our life together" (137). I liked that quote because it reminded me that we have the choice/responsibility to create a type of culture, and we can place foundational principles upon the culture we adopt together. Also, the chapter said, "There are as many different goods as there are different organizations; the uniting theme is the implicit or explicit commitment to a type of dwelling place" (138). This made me contemplate the written or unwritten rules we have created as a society in certain walks of life. For example, you don't use profanity in church. There isn't a specific rule that says you can't, but we all know that is forbidden.
There were 4 metaphors for this specific type of communication ethic: 1) organizational communication 2) Dwelling Place 3)organizations and institutions and 4)community of memory within our organizations. Organizational communication is how we communicate, formally or informally, within a given organization. What was interesting to me was that this metaphor calls for a purpose or end-goal. The chapter says we need to "accomplish a purpose or given purposes" (138). This means that there is a point to why we come together in a certain setting.
Dwelling place is essentially the type of communicative foundation an organization invites based off of what the organization practices. I liked how the chapter confirmed that, "The notion of home doesn't suggest all warmth and care" (138). I think this means that practices or a certain organization are not always positive or optimistic. Examples of this are strip clubs, KKK meetings, trap houses, etc.
Organizations and Institutions, to me, basically is how an organization creates its own identity. The chapter states that institutions provide "a background identity that guides and shapes the horizon of possibilities played out in a particular fashion within a particular organization" (139). An institution essentially creates avenues and different paths for an organization to partake in.
Lastly, if I had to summarize community of memory within our organizations, I'd say that this is the consciousness of an organization, where it contemplates on what worked and did not work in the past. This reminded me of America, where are customary views have changed quite drastically compared to 50 years ago. We now value racial integration to a degree, sexual orientation freedom, and female independence. These are things that weren't popular in the past, but we have made these changes to our country to benefit our present citizens and the future of what America's principles are. This will be an interesting chapter to talk about on Tuesday!
There were 4 metaphors for this specific type of communication ethic: 1) organizational communication 2) Dwelling Place 3)organizations and institutions and 4)community of memory within our organizations. Organizational communication is how we communicate, formally or informally, within a given organization. What was interesting to me was that this metaphor calls for a purpose or end-goal. The chapter says we need to "accomplish a purpose or given purposes" (138). This means that there is a point to why we come together in a certain setting.
Dwelling place is essentially the type of communicative foundation an organization invites based off of what the organization practices. I liked how the chapter confirmed that, "The notion of home doesn't suggest all warmth and care" (138). I think this means that practices or a certain organization are not always positive or optimistic. Examples of this are strip clubs, KKK meetings, trap houses, etc.
Organizations and Institutions, to me, basically is how an organization creates its own identity. The chapter states that institutions provide "a background identity that guides and shapes the horizon of possibilities played out in a particular fashion within a particular organization" (139). An institution essentially creates avenues and different paths for an organization to partake in.
Lastly, if I had to summarize community of memory within our organizations, I'd say that this is the consciousness of an organization, where it contemplates on what worked and did not work in the past. This reminded me of America, where are customary views have changed quite drastically compared to 50 years ago. We now value racial integration to a degree, sexual orientation freedom, and female independence. These are things that weren't popular in the past, but we have made these changes to our country to benefit our present citizens and the future of what America's principles are. This will be an interesting chapter to talk about on Tuesday!
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