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Organizational Communication
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Organizational Communication
A Critical Introduction

Third


January 2025 | SAGE Publications, Inc
Organizational Communication: A Critical Approach, Third Edition presents a modern, critical perspective while providing a comprehensive survey of theory and research in organizational communication. Authors Dennis Mumby and Timothy Kuhn familiarize students with the field of organizational communication—historically, conceptually, and practically—and challenges them to reconsider their common sense understandings of work and organizations, preparing them for participation in 21st century organizational settings. Linking theory with practice, Mumby skillfully explores the significant role played by organizations and corporations in constructing our identities. The text has been extensively revised, recognizing that the world has changed significantly between editions including the rise of social media, the increasingly networked character of organizational life, the emergence of AI, and more. Critical analysis of the relationship between communication and organization has never been more important, and the updates provide a current look into the critical issues that students will face as they navigate their work lives.
 
Preface
 
Acknowledgments
 
About the Authors
 
Part I: Conceptualizing: A Critical Communication Perspective On Work And Organizations
 
Chapter 1: What Is Organizational Communication?
Defining Organizational Communication: The Communication–Organization Relationship

 
Organizations as Communicative Structures of Power

 
Conclusion

 
Critical Applications

 
 
Chapter 2: Studying Organizational Communication Critically
Understanding Theory in the Critical Analysis of Organizational Communication

 
Unpacking the Critical Approach

 
Understanding Organizational Communication From a Critical Perspective

 
Conclusion

 
Critical Applications

 
 
Part II: Contextualizing: A History Of Theorizing Work And Organizatons
 
Chapter 3: Fordism And Organizational Communication I: Classical Theories
The Fordist Organization

 
Fordism And Scientific Management

 
Fordism And Bureaucracy

 
Conclusion

 
Critical Applications

 
 
Chapter 4: Fordism And Organizational Communication II: The Human Relations School
Placing Human Relations Theory In Its Historical Context

 
Fordism, Mayo, And Human Relations Theory

 
Mary Parker Follett: Bridging Theory And Practice

 
Fordism And Human Resource Management

 
Conclusion

 
Critical Applications

 
 
Chapter 5: Organizations as Communication: Systems and Constitutive Views
Situating the Systems Perspective

 
The Principles of the Systems Perspective

 
The Communicative Constitution of Organization

 
Conclusion

 
Critical Applications

 
 
Chapter 6: Communication, Culture, and Organizing
The Emergence of the Cultural Approach

 
Three Perspectives on Organizational Culture

 
Conclusion

 
Critical Applications

 
 
Part III: Applying: A Critical Communcation Approach To Work And Organizations In The 21st Century
 
Chapter 7: Post-Fordism And Organizational Communication
The Fall Of Fordism And The Rise Of Post-Fordism

 
Neoliberalism As An Economic System

 
Neoliberalism As A Hegemonic Discourse

 
Post-Fordist Work: A New Organizing Model

 
Communicative Work And Communicative Capitalism

 
Conclusion

 
Critical Applications

 
 
Chapter 8: Communicating Gender At Work
The Four “Waves” Of Feminism

 
Critical Feminism: Viewing Organizations As Gendered

 
Conclusion

 
Critical Applications

 
 
Chapter 9: Communicating Difference At Work
Defining Difference at Work

 
Putting Difference and Workplace Diversity in Historical Context

 
Difference and Diversity in the Contemporary Workplace

 
Interrogating Whiteness and Organizational Communication

 
Conclusion

 
Critical Applications

 
 
Chapter 10: Branding, Work, And Organization
Branding And Capitalism In The 20th Century

 
The Evolution Of Branding: Three Models

 
Work, Branding, And The Enterprise Self

 
The Ethics Of Branding

 
Conclusion

 
Critical Applications

 
 
Chapter 11: Leadership Communication in the New Workplace
Traditional Perspectives on Leadership

 
New Approaches to Leadership

 
A Critical Communication Perspective on Leadership

 
Conclusion

 
Critical Applications

 
 
Chapter 12: Information and Communication Technologies in and at Work
Understanding Technology

 
New Technologies, New Challenges

 
ICTs and the Extension of the Workplace

 
Conclusion

 
Critical Applications

 
 
Chapter 13: Globalization and Corporate Social Responsibility
Defining Globalization

 
Spheres of Globalization

 
Organizing Against Globalization

 
Globalization and Corporate Social Responsibility

 
Conclusion

 
Critical Applications

 
 
Chapter 14: Organizational Communication And Meaningful Work
Meaningful Work

 
Meaningful Work And Identity

 
The Future Of Work

 
Conclusion

 
Critical Applications

 

Supplements

Instructor Resource Site

Instructor Resource Site
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