Human Relations Theory-Part 2-Communication

Human Relations Theory : 

Human Relations Theory Part 2: Communication in the Human Relations Organization

Question: Think of a job you currently hold or held in the past. How much did you trust information about your job or organization that you received through informal communication with co-workers?A. Not at allB. SomewhatC. A good dealD. Very much : 

Question: Think of a job you currently hold or held in the past. How much did you trust information about your job or organization that you received through informal communication with co-workers?A. Not at allB. SomewhatC. A good dealD. Very much

III. Communication and Human Relations : 

III. Communication and Human Relations A. Informal Communication Refers to non-task related communication and to task related communication that is not formally planned or required Much of it is related to work Some of it is information going through the “grapevine”

III. Communication and Human Relations : 

III. Communication and Human Relations Informal Communication “You can’t understand an organization or how it works from its organizational chart, its charter, rules, and regulations…Learning the organizational ropes in most organizations is chiefly learning the who’s who, what’s what, why’s why of its information society…in fact informal organization is so [taken for granted]…that we are unaware of it, seeing only part of the specific interactions involved.” Chester Barnard Functions of the Executive

III. Communication and Human Relations : 

III. Communication and Human Relations A. Informal Communication Characteristics of Informal Communication It is unplanned Informal networks are more complex than formal hierarchy Information moves quickly through informal communication networks Information received through informal communication is trusted as much or more than that received through formal networks Informal communication is as accurate as communication through formal channels Enables “off the record” discussions, which are valuable

III. Communication and Human Relations : 

III. Communication and Human Relations B. Formal Communication is Still Important It shapes the informal communication network Informal communication tries to solve problems and make up for shortcomings in the formal structure

III. Communication and Human Relations : 

III. Communication and Human Relations B. Formal Communication is Still Important (cont) Study of military units: Officers very busy with paperwork, not able to supervise soldiers So they met in informal “coffee klatches” Shared experiences, knowledge Compare stories about units Communication is “horizontal,” flows freely Members gave advice about how to do everyday roles Problem solving Learning

III. Communication and Human Relations : 

III. Communication and Human Relations C. Open Communication is Highlighted In an open communication system information flows freely and there is a climate of free expression

III. Communication and Human Relations : 

III. Communication and Human Relations C. Open Communication is Highlighted It plays an important role in meeting employee’s needs It enables employees to alleviate and bleed off stress It surfaces problems and assists in handling them Communication itself can satisfy some of the needs in Maslow’s hierarchy Affiliation through formation of relationships Esteem through positive feedback Self-actualization through enabling employees to engage in creative and empowering activities

III. Communication and Human Relations : 

III. Communication and Human Relations C. Open Communication is Highlighted Openness Between Superior and Subordinates is Critical Superior should be supportive, accepting, and involve subordinate in decision making (to an appropriate extent) One qualification: Pelz Effect

III. Communication and Human Relations : 

III. Communication and Human Relations D. Transactional Model of Human Communication Communication is an interchange, and interaction instead of just transmission

Question: An Organization Based on Human Relations Principles Will Be Less Hierarchical than the Classical Organization : 

Question: An Organization Based on Human Relations Principles Will Be Less Hierarchical than the Classical Organization True False