Tuesday, October 23, 2007

Lara Hodgson- Reflection on CH 4,5,6 and the Hawthorn Article

Reflections of Readings
Ch. 4:The Systems Perspective on Organizations and Communication
Each of the theories that were addressed in this chapter, are assumptions to certain actions. The systems approach is more open ended with the different reactions. There are different types of system theories, biological and general. In the scientific management individuals are interchangeable parts and viewed metaphorically as machines. I thought this theory was interesting because it analyzes peoples working mentality. That people plan to work and work because of fear and money. In the systems theory, it is more complex because information flows and is influenced by external noise that affects the feedback in return. It think this is for how we interact with each other. I think this theory is used in everyday conversation to help relate meaning and what people are trying to convey through their messages. Sarcasm for example, could be taken for what the words are saying or for the meaning behind it.

Human Relations Contributors; Hawthorne Experiments
The experiments displayed no clear link between production and illumination. Mayo studied the working habits of people when a friendly person is supervising them rather then disciplinarian. He then took away some of the breaks and rest time they had and found that they still worked just as productive. I thought it was interesting because even though they weren’t given as much down time as before they still work efficiently. Also, it displayed how people would rather work in a friendly environment, which allows them a certain amount of freedom, rather then an environment in which they are constantly being told what to do.

Ch. 5: Cultural Studies of Organizations and Communications
The studies of different cultures bring about predictable responses to different issues such as social, historical or political. They focus on meaningful interpretations of different cultures. Cultural anthropology works closely with the cultural organizations because it goes into the demographics of the different cultures and studies the different discussions of the consensus, values, and conflicts. I think this is interesting but at the same time, I think the cultural studies of organizational communication bases upon the fact that history may repeat it self. I think in cultural anthropology it is the study of the specific cultural background so you could learn where and how the culture was formed and the beliefs and values they have. It is more of a straightforward view and leaves no room for change.

Ch. 6: Critical Approaches to Organizations and Communication
The critical theory favors individual creativity and it constrains the human behavior. It controls our lives through technology and economies of systems such as education, corporate colonization, and multinational corporations. The critical theory has been trying to find an advancing alternative organizational arrangement to allow employees to be happy and comfortable in their work environment. Recently they found a way for employers to increase their employees work development. It focuses on the macroeconomic issues. With the critical theory, it brings focus to employees work through meaning, purpose, and a future. This was interesting because if people think they are doing meaningless work then typically they are miserable and their proficiency goes down. It was interesting to me because they focus on the employees moral rather then the actual work. Makes me think if in the future, all work environments will be in such a relaxed state that nothing was formal and there was a thin line of work and leisure.

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