John D. Pettit

The Role of Communication in Organizations: Ethical Considerations

Communication plays a distinct role in the ethical behavior of managers. This paper proposes a theoretical framework of ethics, power, and communication in the workplace. First, a model of conceptual ethics is developed to provide a backdrop for viewing ethical decisions. Second, ethics in the workplace is discussed by showing how managers are often caught in a dilemma between the pressures of the job and their own personal code of ethics. And last, communication is proposed as the means to foster more ethical behavior in organizations. Although communication safeguards such as a code of ethics can and should be established, it is the managers themselves through more receptive communication who establish the norms of ethical conduct.

Self-Actualization and Interpersonal Capability in Organizations.

This study reports the extent of self-actualization present within a sample of first-line and upper-level managers in several organizations. Also evaluated within the sample is the interpersonal capability of managers to communicate with their subordinates in a supportive manner A correlation analysis reveals a positive relationship between self-actualization and interpersonal communicative capability

Topics for Business Communication Research

*Members of the Subcommittee were: John D. Pettit, Jr., Chair; Joel P. Bowman; Bernadine Branchaw; Howard Greenbaum; Leah Grubb; James M. Lahiff; John M. Penrose; William Sharbrough; Norman B. Sigband; Gretchen N. Vik; Morris P. Wolf; Mohan Limaye; Robert Insley; Lamar Reinsch; and Larry Smeltzer. This report combines efforts of the 1985, 1986, and 1987 Committees. ORGANIZATIONAL/MANAGERIAL COMMUNICATION

Guidelines and Suggestions for Research in Business Communication

Last year the JOURNAL published the 1970 report of the ABCA Research Com mittee. It was so well received by members that we have decided to share the 1971 report of the committee also. Hopefully a number of the suggested areas of investigation will stimulate the research work of our members in the next few years.

Interpersonal Communication Behaviour of Male and Female Administrators

This study found that 10 of 16 measures of interpersonal communication showed statistical significance between male and female administrators in a university environment. Using the FIRO‐B questionnaire, females preferred to initiate more inclusion and affection in interpersonal activities; also, they wanted other people to include them and to be friendly to them in inter‐personal relationships. Beyond the comparison of males and females, however, it is evident that all scores (both male and female) exist within the mid‐range categories. Thus, it is concluded that interpersonal communication capacity is lacking throughout the sample, and definite actions are needed to increase interpersonal communication effectiveness in organisations.

1990 ABC CONVENTION San Antonio, Texas, November 7-10, 1990

Daphne Jameson heralded the 1990 Annual ABC Convention in August with the fanfare of her superb program booklet entitled &dquo;Inner World, Outer Worlds: Business Communication in the Nineties.&dquo; But the 407 conventioneers who registered for the November 7-10 meeting (a record) quickly found out that the &dquo;territory&dquo; was even better than the &dquo;map.&dquo; John Penrose, General Program Chair, skillfully wove

Outlines of Transactional Analysis and of Gestalt Psychology

This text and outline coverage of Transactional Analysis, Gestalt Psychol ogy, and their application to General Semantics and writing represented part of the 1973 Teaching Methodology and Concepts Committee report. At that time, the work seemed to be extremely unique. Presently, much communication research draws on these areas. Because these ideas. have yet to be researched completely and integrated fully, they are included as research issues for ABCA members. Sentence outlines of Transactional Analysis and Gestalt Psychology precede an attempt to interrelate the two areas to General Semantics and writing.

Editor's Introduction Every day in every way, it gets better and better!

This special issue was assembled and edited for us by John D. Pettit, Jr. of North Texas State University. It consists of some of the papers and articles that were a part of the 1973-75 ABCA Research Committee Reports. While it has not been possible to show all the fruits of the committees labors, it is hoped that this sampling will testify both to the productivity and the promise of ABCA research.

Concluding Remarks About This Issue

The previous articles resulted, from three years of work by ABCA’s Research Committees, 1973-1975. They represent conceptual and concrete as well as basic and applied ideas. These concluding remarks will apply more to the future. In fact, many of them may be interpreted as recommendations, although they do not have the endorsement of the Association, the Research Committees, or members. I, alone, am writing them and take responsibility for them. As I see it then, four areas need attention in the future.

An Outline of General Semantics

own experiences and observations and relates these to others. At the same time, man is able to learn of previous experiences of other generations through language use. From past to present, present to present, and present to future, man acquires and contributes to a progression of human experience and knowledge. General semantics attempts to make the time-binding feature, which is characteristic of man only, more efficient, more rational, and more useful.