William I. Gorden

Argumentativeness and affirming communicator style as predictors of satisfaction/dissatisfaction with subordinates

While previous research has focused on the communication characteristics of superiors which predict their subordinates’ satisfaction, this study investigated subordinates’ communication and satisfaction with the subordinate from the perspective of the superior. Superiors from a variety of organizations rated the communicator style and argumentativeness and verbal aggressiveness of a subordinate with whom they were either satisfied, dissatisfied, or undecided regarding the subordinates job performance. The results supported a hypothesis about affirming communicator style and satisfactory subordinate job performance, and also a counterintuitive prediction about how argumentativeness relates to appraisal of subordinates.

How Employees See the Boss: Test of an Argumentative and Affirming Model of Supervisors' Communicative Behavior.

A model of supervisors’ communicative behavior from the subordinates perspective is explored in this study. The model is derived from previous research that suggests freedom of expression and self‐concept affirmation are important needs which employees want satisfied in the organizational situation. The communication traits of supervisors posited as instrumental to these needs being satisfied are argumentativeness and affirming style (composed of relaxed, friendly, attentive, and low verbal aggressiveness). A study of 216 subordinates is reported that tests a hypothesis about which perceived supervisory styles are associated with the least and the most subordinates’ satisfaction and organizational commitment. The results generally supported the model. Verbal aggressiveness was found to be especially potent in explaining variability in satisfaction with superiors. An emphasis on verbal aggressiveness in future organizational communication research is suggested, along with continued attention to the role o...

Superior and subordinate communication profiles: Implications for independent‐mindedness and upward effectiveness

A framework is explained that maintains corporate productivity is enhanced when organizations nurture employee independent‐mindedness. An argumentative‐low verbally aggressive organizational communication climate is believed to create the freedom which nurtures independent‐mindedness. A study of 131 superior‐subordinate dyads in a large number of organizations investigated some of these assumptions.

Test of a communication model of organizational commitment

This study proposes and tests a communication model of organizational commitment which pivots about the idea of individual freedom to communicate. A study of 253 employees in a variety of organizations is reported. In support of the model, the results revealed that employees desire more freedom of speech in the workplace than they currently have. The less perceived freedom of speech in the workplace, the less that employees have organizational commitment and satisfaction with their work and supervisor, and the organization is perceived less favorably in several ways. Also, perceptions of freedom of speech in the workplace explained variability in organizational commitment not accounted for by beliefs about the organizations economic stability, commitment to product quality, and commitment to employee work‐life quality.

Equality and the swedish work environment

The tension betweenneed andeffort is at the core of differing interpretations of social equality and inequality. Need-based thinking entails social and economic justice for all within the state regardless of abilities and effort. Effort-based thinking embodies distribution of material resources according to energy expended, abilities, and achievement. The Swedish model for the past five decades has sided with need-based egalitarian mindedness and increasingly has applied that criterion to the quality of working life. Accommodations were made for wealth, a managerial elite, and strong unions. Recently, the country’s overheated economy and pressures for austerity have caused a reassessment of the welfare state.

Academic games in the speech curriculum

Games are paradoxical vehicles for tryng out alternatives and consequences with both involvement and detachment, where mistakes can be made without serious injury. Some academic games create miniature environments particularly suited to studying concepts and content of speech communication.

Subordinate and superior perceptions of self and one another: Relations, accuracy, and reciprocity of liking

Superior‐subordinate dyads were investigated to determine relations among perceptions and meta perceptions of selected traits, subordinate participation in decision‐making, degree of supervision, and after hours work. Superiors and subordinates had inaccurate beliefs about how their traits were perceived, and they differed in perceptions of subordinate participation in decision‐making and degree of supervision. A reciprocity of liking pattern was also observed.

Docudrama from different temporal perspectives: Reactions to NBC's “Kent State”

This paper examines the reactions of three groups of subjects to the NBC docudrama, “Kent State.” The subjects groups were faculty and staff members who were at the university during the time of the actual events and students currently enrolled at Kent State.

Women's clothing predispositions as predictors of dress at work, job satisfaction, and career advancement

This study tested the prediction that womens clothing predispositions would be related to reported dressing practices on the job, satisfaction with job outcomes, and career advancement. Data were gathered from 300 women, representing over 200 organizations in the west, south, and midwest regions of the United States. The major result was women who were more clothing conscious dressed more conservatively on the job and were more satisfied with job outcomes. Several additional results are reported. Implications of the results are discussed in terms of organizational dress expectations and the consequences of violating such expectations.

The language and rhetoric of quality: Made in the U.S.A.

Corporate attention to quality products and services is expressed in the language used to communicate that attention. Language that is redundant, intense and elevated to iconic status both reflects and shapes attention. This study examines how end‐users, corporate bodies and employees communicate about quality. A series of propositions are inductively derived.