Organizational Communication Glossary

The activity of managing communication and relationships across organizational boundaries, linking the organization with external environments or connecting internal units.

The capacity of a communication channel to convey information effectively, including the ability to handle multiple cues, provide rapid feedback, and facilitate personal focus.

A comprehensive, systematic evaluation of an organization's communication systems, practices, policies, and effectiveness.

The prevailing atmosphere for information exchange in an organization, shaped by the degree of openness, trust, support, and participation in communication practices.

The pattern of communication channels and relationships among individuals or groups within an organization.

A family of theories arguing that organizations are produced, reproduced, and transformed through communication processes rather than merely using communication as a tool.

The set of activities involved in managing and orchestrating all internal and external communications aimed at creating favorable perceptions among stakeholders.

The collection of strategies, systems, and protocols for communicating with stakeholders before, during, and after a crisis event.

Information exchange that crosses both functional and hierarchical boundaries within an organization.

The flow of messages from higher organizational levels to lower levels, including instructions, feedback, and policy announcements.

The capacity and willingness of employees to speak up, share ideas, raise concerns, and participate in organizational decision-making.

The ambiguity or multiple possible interpretations of a message or situation. Reducing equivocality through communication is central to Karl Weick's theory of organizing.

The response or information returned to the sender of a message about its reception and effect, enabling adjustment and mutual understanding.

The informal, unofficial communication network within an organization through which rumors, news, and information spread among employees.

The exchange of messages between individuals or departments at the same hierarchical level, facilitating coordination and collaboration.

A state where the volume of incoming information exceeds an individual's or organization's capacity to process it effectively.

A framework by Daft and Lengel proposing that communication media vary in their capacity to convey rich information, and that effective communicators match media richness to message ambiguity.

The shared assumptions, values, beliefs, and norms that guide behavior within an organization, transmitted and reinforced through communication.

The degree to which an individual defines themselves by the attributes of their organization, influencing commitment, satisfaction, and behavior.

A collective phenomenon in which employees systematically withhold information, opinions, and concerns from those in authority.

The process by which individuals and groups in organizations interpret ambiguous information and events to create shared understanding and guide action.

The strategic management of communication with all parties who have an interest in or are affected by the organization, including employees, customers, investors, and the public.

Anthony Giddens's theory, applied to organizations by Poole and DeSanctis, proposing that social structures are both the medium and outcome of human interaction and communication.

The flow of messages from lower organizational levels to higher levels, including employee feedback, suggestions, reports, and grievances.

Communication practices and challenges specific to geographically dispersed teams that rely primarily on technology-mediated interaction.