OB - CH 11

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering the key concepts of Chapter 11 Communication, including listening styles, communication models, organizational networks, and cross-cultural interaction approaches.

Communication

The act of transmitting thoughts, processes, and ideas through a variety of channels.

Claude Shannon's Information Theory

A mathematical theory of communication that deals directly with reducing ambiguity and uncertainty.

Shannon-Weaver Communications Model

A model consisting of a source, encoder, message, channel, decoder, receiver, noise, and feedback to ensure high quality communication.

Synchronicity

Whether the communication is happening at the same time.

Synchronous communication

Communication that happens at the same time.

Asynchronous communication

Transmission and reception of a message that do not occur at the same time.

Active listening

Actively engaging in sensing and processing others' communication messages (both subtle and overt) and then responding in ways that show active engagement in the conversation.

Reflective listening

Acknowledging, restating, or reformulating others' messages to provide nonjudgmental affirmation and encourage further elaboration or sharing.

Sensing

The component of reflective listening involving actively sensing oral and nonverbal communication.

Processing

The component of reflective listening involving assigning meaning and value to messages and ascertaining subtle or covert messages.

Responding

The component of reflective listening involving responding timely and expressing engagement orally and nonverbally (e.g., eye contact).

Oral Communication

An excellent way to network and build relationships where feedback is given fast, though messages can be lost, forgotten, or misunderstood.

Written Communication

Communication using letters, memos, e-mail, instant messaging, and text messaging that allows senders to review, record, and archive messages.

Filtering

When someone screens and then manipulates a message from a sender before passing it on to the intended receiver.

Information overload

When individuals become overwhelmed by the wealth of information surrounding them, leading to hasty decisions or a loss of priority.

Media Richness

Communication channels categorized from low (formal reports, bulletins) to high (video conferences, in-person conversations) based on information richness.

Formal Networks

Communication channels that transmit messages established and approved by the organizational hierarchy, usually imposed by the chain of command.

Informal Networks

Networks that handle the unofficial sharing of information between employees and across company divisions, less controlled by management.

Grapevine

The unofficial line of communication between individuals or groups used to transmit messages quickly, though often based on rumor and potentially inaccurate.

Gossip Chains

Communication networks in which one individual creates and spreads untrue or inaccurate information to others through the organization.

Cluster Chain

A communication network consisting of a group of people who broadcast information only within their specific group.

Low-context cultures

Cultures that depend more on explicit messages conveyed through the spoken or written word.

High-context cultures

Cultures where most messages are conveyed through body language, nonverbal cues, and the circumstances in which the communication is taking place.

Avoiding

A cross-cultural interaction approach of putting aside cultural preferences, values, practices, or customs, often for tactical or strategic reasons.

Imposing

Asserting one's own cultural preferences, values, practices, and customs without acknowledging others' cultural approaches.

Embracing

Putting aside one's own cultural preferences, values, practices, and customs in order to acknowledge or celebrate others' cultural approaches.

Synergizing

Celebrating both interaction partners' cultural preferences, values, practices, and customs, often in an improvisational or flexible way.

Compromising

Mid-way cultural interaction treating communication as a give-and-take by recognizing when preferences conflict and embracing some while putting aside others.