Brian K. Richardson

Sexual Harassment at the Intersection of Race and Gender: A Theoretical Model of the Sexual Harassment Experiences of Women of Color

While organizational communication scholars consistently call for greater research into diversity processes, we still know little about how women of color experience sexual harassment. Feminist standpoint theories often prove useful for exploring the sexual harassment experiences of White women. However, tensions between the variations of feminist standpoints have hindered its usefulness for exploring the experiences of women of color. Thus, we propose using intersectionality as an extension of standpoint theory for exploring how race and gender interact and mutually influence one another within sexual harassment experiences. On this basis, we generate a model describing the sexual harassment experiences of African American and Hispanic women. The model includes the following four stages: a perceived sexually harassing act, sensemaking and decision-making, resistance through voice/silence, and perceived organizational response. Each stage operates within the contexts of social constructions of race and gender, and organizational culture. The study concludes with a discussion of theoretical and practical implications.

Blowing the Whistle Against Greek Hazing: The Theory of Reasoned Action as a Framework for Reporting Intentions

This study tests the applicability of the Theory of Reasoned Action (TRA) framework to whistle-blowing intentions within the context of Greek hazing. Participants (N = 259) responded to a survey with one of three scenarios, varying in level of severity (“not severe,” “moderately severe,” “most severe”), describing a hypothetical hazing situation occurring in their fraternity or sorority. Results show that TRA provides a sound framework for predicting whistle-blowing intentions. Level of severity served as a moderator for behavioral intentions. The TRA model was confirmed for both the “moderately severe” and the “most severe” scenarios. For the “not severe” scenario, the TRA model was supported except for the effect of the product term of behavioral beliefs and outcome evaluations on attitude toward the behavior. The article concludes with a discussion of limitations and theoretical and practical implications.

The practical nurse: a case for COMFORT communication training.

Licensed practical nurses provide the majority of bedside care in long-term care facilities and home care settings, and their communication with patients and families is pivotal to interventions aimed at reducing burdensome transitions to acute care settings. Although good communication skills are required for practical nurses, they receive limited instruction in their training. The goal of this study was to assess the effects of communication training for the practical nurse. A pre–post survey design was used to assess the COMFORT communication training curriculum provided to licensed practical nursing students. A comparison of mean scores on communication skills attitudes and perceived nursing competency revealed statistically significant improvement in attitudes and self-efficacy. This study shows promise for the feasibility and utilization of the COMFORT curriculum for nurse communication training. Further research should address the nurse’s ability to perform COMFORT communication skills in the clinical setting.

Rabid Fans, Death Threats, and Dysfunctional Stakeholders: The Influence of Organizational and Industry Contexts on Whistle-Blowing Cases:

Organizational wrongdoing is frequently exposed by whistle-blowers, individuals who disclose unethical behavior to parties they believe can take corrective action. This study aimed to illuminate whistle-blowers’ experiences with particular attention to how their industry and organizational contexts affected their cases. We analyzed personal accounts of thirteen whistle-blowers in the collegiate sports industry. Results revealed three themes that significantly affected whistle-blowing accounts: the existence and influence of tightly coupled stakeholders, including the athletic governing body and news media; the hypermasculine character of collegiate sports; and the presence of highly identified fans as agents of retaliation. Implications of the study include the recognition and consequences of nonorganizational members as agents of retaliation and the importance of analyzing context when considering whistle-blowing experiences both inside and outside of collegiate sport.

“We Were All in the Same Boat”: An Exploratory Study of Communal Coping in Disaster Recovery

ABSTRACT Disaster recovery is a stressful, uncertain, and traumatic experience for communities. In order to alleviate links between disaster recovery and negative outcomes, collectives may engage in communal coping, an understudied process. We interviewed 37 citizens of a town devastated by Hurricane Ike. Results revealed three communal coping activities: mutuality, a reciprocal pattern of emoting and shared problem recognition; co-construction of a community narrative, or participants relaying the story of the town’s unity and bootstrap mentality; and problem-centered communal coping, which centered on material assistance and information sharing. We propose connections between communal coping, identification, and (community) identity in drawing distinctions between communal coping and social support. The study concludes with practical implications for communities engaged in disaster recovery.

The role of occupational identity in negotiating traumatic experiences: the case of a rural fire department

ABSTRACT Firefighters are routinely exposed to situations involving contact with deceased or injured children, burned and seriously injured bodies, and high-uncertainty calls. Thus, many firefighters suffer debilitating consequences including depression, dysfunctional drinking, and posttraumatic stress disorder. Using an identity tensions framework, we sought to understand the challenges firefighters encounter as they cope with exposure to traumatic events. We interviewed 27 members of a rural fire department and used a constant comparative method to analyze their responses. We found trauma was induced when occupational identity intersected futile situations and those involving children; tensions emerged between traditional and newer, emergent firefighting cultures; and firefighters experience tensions in negotiating how and when to express emotion. Based on these findings, we offer a number of practical implications centering on an occupational identity tensions framework to encourage reflexivity in firefighters and moving beyond older, enduring stereotypes of what it means to be a firefighter.

Navigating the “Abyss” A Narrative Analysis of Whistle-Blowing, Retaliation, and Identity Within Texas Public School Systems

Whistle-blowers frequently face severe retaliation for their actions. This retaliation has power to destroy, marginalize, and even metaphorically murder those who speak out. Perhaps the greatest loss described by many whistle-blowers, however, is loss of personal identity, an experience we term the abyss. This study’s purpose was to explore organizational whistle-blowing experiences, specifically the abyss, and identity transformation of whistle-blowers through the construct of narrative identity theory. We interviewed 11 individuals who had blown the whistle against perceived corruption in various Texas school systems, and had experienced retaliation. Narrative analysis revealed four identities personified by whistle-blowers: crusader, citizen, mom, and popularity seeker. These various identities offered explanations for whistle-blowers’ choices to disclose, their perceptions of retaliation, and their abilities to either maintain their identities or reconstitute new identities. We conclude by offering implications for understanding how and why some whistle-blowers can seamlessly manage retaliation, whereas others are transformed by it.

Tattling on the Teacher: A Study of Factors Influencing Peer Reporting of Teachers who Violate Standardized Testing Protocol

Allegations of teacher and administrator cheating on standardized tests appear to be rampant. One primary way that cheating is held in check occurs when peers turn in other teachers for cheating. The purpose of this study was to exam five variables as predictors of peer reporting of this particular type of unethical behavior. Three hundred thirty (N = 330) Texas school teachers responded to a survey that included a scenario depicting another teacher violating standardized testing protocol. Results indicated no differences in reporting intentions across impression management tactics (justification vs. intimidation). However, canonical correlation results indicated that a combination of predictor variables was positively and significantly related to peer-reporting intentions. A perception of participatory culture was the primary contributor to the composite. Communication confidence and policy attitude were moderate contributors.

Blowing the Whistle Off the Field of Play: An Empirical Model of Whistle-Blower Experiences in the Intercollegiate Sport Industry

Unethical behavior within collegiate sports departments appears to be commonplace. Athletic programs at a number of high-profile universities have been sanctioned by the National Collegiate Athletic Association in the past decade. When athletic departments participate in corrupt behavior, the possibility of whistle-blowing exists. Although organizational scholars have developed theoretical models describing whistle-blowing processes, it is unclear whether these models accurately depict whistle-blower’s experiences in the collegiate sports industry. Thus, the purpose of the present study was to generate a model describing the experiences of whistle-blowers operating in the intercollegiate sports industry. Thirteen whistle-blowers were interviewed for this study; analysis of case studies revealed that whistle-blowing occurred over five stages and was significantly affected by the collegiate athletics context. Of particular consequence was the hypermasculine, highly competitive collegiate sports environment.