Organizational Communication and Business Ethics

This set of flashcards covers the definitions, types, and ethical frameworks of organizational communication as presented in the Module 5 lecture notes.

Organization

A group of people sharing a common goal or set of goals who intentionally come together to coordinate activities and create something of value.

Organizational Culture

The accumulated shared learning of a group as it solves problems of external adaptation and internal integration, taught to new members as the correct way to perceive, think, and feel.

Organizational Communication

The meaning created between individuals in an organization, between individuals and organizations, and between organizations and societies.

Mutual Benefit Associations

Organizations formed primarily to benefit a specific identifiable group who are their members, such as labor unions, fraternities, and social clubs.

Business Concerns Organizations

Organizations focused on operating efficiency to ensure maximum gain at minimum cost for survival and growth amidst competition.

Service Organizations

Organizations whose prime beneficiary is the public in direct contact with the entity, such as hospitals, schools, and legal aid societies.

Commonweal Organizations

Organizations whose prime beneficiary is the public-at-large, such as the military, police, fire department, and the Bureau of Internal Revenue.

Formal Communication

The exchange of official information that flows along different levels of the organizational hierarchy and follows the chain of command, rules, and policies.

Downward Communication

Formal vertical communication flowing from a superior to a subordinate, including policies, procedures, orders, and instructions.

Upward Communication

Formal vertical communication where subordinates provide feedback, suggestions, or information about coworkers and tasks to managers.

Horizontal/Lateral Communication

Communication happening between individuals at the same level who belong to the same department or different departments.

Diagonal Communication

Communication occurring between people who hold different levels of authority and belong to different departments or teams.

Informal Communication

Communicative interactions where individuals act in personal roles rather than professional roles, not intended to achieve work-related goals.

Grapevine Communication

A colloquial term for informal communication, originating from Civil War military intelligence telegraph lines that resembled grapevines.

Cluster Chain

A pattern of informal communication where information is shared with a select group of people, who then pass it on to another selected group.

Ethics

The discipline concerned with what is morally right and wrong and what is considered morally good and bad.

Means

The actions performed or instruments used to achieve an intended goal within an ethical context.

Ends

The outcomes or effects of communication on both the sender and the receiver.

Business Ethics

A branch of applied ethics dealing with the moral dimensions of commercial activity and the responsibilities of corporations.

Ethical Behavior

A configuration in the ethical matrix where a communicator uses "Good Means" to achieve a "Good End."

Unethical Behavior

A configuration in the ethical matrix where a communicator uses "Bad Means" that result in a "Bad End."

Machiavellian Ethic

A configuration in the ethical matrix where "Bad Means" (such as lying) are used to achieve a "Good End" (such as increasing client market share).

Subjective Ethic

A configuration in the ethical matrix where "Good Means" (such as using facts) lead to a "Bad End" (such as a client losing market share).

Altruism

An ethical perspective where the standard is based on doing what is best for others and ensuring communicative behavior leads to a good end for the receiver.

Cultural Relativism

An ethical perspective where moral standards are defined by an individual's specific cultural, legal, or organizational system of values.

Justice

An ethical standard based on the rights to basic liberties, equal opportunity for all, and prioritizing the needs of the disadvantaged.

Social Relativism

An ethical perspective where people behave and communicate in a manner consistent with the interests of their friends, social networks, and community.

Corporate Code of Ethics

A document setting a company's expectations regarding how employees must act in any situation to help arrive at a decision.

Professional Code of Ethics

A set standard that each member of a specific profession is expected to meet.

Classical Perspective

A view of organizational communication that emphasizes hierarchical structures and standardization, viewing employees as members of a large machine.

Human Relations Perspective

A view that emphasizes effective organizations need open, multi-directional communication and recognized two-way communication between workers and managers.

Human Resources Perspective

A view that seeks to increase organizational effectiveness while fulfilling human needs, involving both management and workers in decision-making.