Exam 11: Managers and Communication

Refer to the scenario below to answer the following questions. Communication Networks and Information Technology (Scenario) Michelle has been hired as information systems manager at Prestige Furniture, a fast-growing producer of fine home furnishing products. To date, the company has successfully integrated modern production technology into its manufacturing facilities. Now, Michelle's task is to find ways to apply technologies that will improve communication and the flow of information throughout the organization. -As the company grew, it developed a functional structure and became more mechanistic. Department managers began to insist that information be communicated vertically according to the authority structure. This is most representative of which communication network?

Workplaces with high density can act as disruptions of efficient work and thus deter effective communication.

discuss the impact of workplace design on organizational communication. Give specific examples to support your answer.

Refer to the scenario below to answer the following questions. Communication Process-New Policy on Overtime (Scenario) Brett is vice-president of operations at Red Ink Corporation. Due to recent losses, the company has decided to eliminate voluntary overtime work, and to only pay overtime rates on extra work assignments authorized by top management. Brett chose his words carefully as he wrote the memo explaining the new company policy on overtime pay. -When the workers read Brett's memo, some were so upset that they immediately sent memos of their own back to Brett. They understood the new policy and management's rationale for implementing it but expressed concern about the loss of wages and the impact it would have on morale. The workers' response represents which part of the communication process?

Anna wants to be certain that her communication with employees is effective, so she always asks, "Do you understand?" to check the accuracy of what has been communicated. Anna is using __________ to overcome potential communication barriers.

When a manager asks an employee to complete a task, he or she is communicating __________.

Communication is defined as the transfer and receipt of messages.

Everything a manager does involves communicating.

Converting a message into meaningful symbols is called __________.

According to our textbook, the increased use of email facilitates diagonal communication.

By leaving out some essential information from communications with customers or employees, an organization is engaging in ____________.

Age, education, and cultural background are three of the more obvious variables that influence __________.

Refer to the scenario below to answer the following questions. Communications Process Expert (Scenario) Margaret works as the human resource manager for Horizon Software, Inc., a company that focuses on the development and implementation of customized software applications for public and private sector organizations. The past few months have been very challenging, and unfortunately, some key opportunities have been missed due to poor communication within the company. The employees have started complaining about an apparent lack of communication among company managers. Margaret decided that it was imperative to conduct an organizational communication workshop for these managers. -Margaret continued the workshop by telling the managers that the final link in the communication process is the __________ loop.

discuss the current, most used personal technology platforms that make it possible for people in organizations to communicate more effectively.

_____ refers to the fact that individuals don't see reality, but interpret what they see based on their needs, motivation, experience, background, and other personal characteristics.

Refer to the scenario below to answer the following questions. Communication Networks and Information Technology (Scenario) Michelle has been hired as information systems manager at Prestige Furniture, a fast-growing producer of fine home furnishing products. To date, the company has successfully integrated modern production technology into its manufacturing facilities. Now, Michelle's task is to find ways to apply technologies that will improve communication and the flow of information throughout the organization. -Michelle is trying to visualize what some of the future technologies used in workplaces will look like. She has noticed that some emerging patterns seem to point toward technology that could _________________.

In the wheel network, the leader serves as the hub through which all communication passes.

Changing technology is a significant source of environmental uncertainly for organizations.

An example of a nonverbal communication would be a __________.

Refer to the scenario below to answer the following questions. Communication Barriers-The Sword and the Millstone (Scenario) Sandra Millstone, the CEO of Excalibur Manufacturing Company, concluded that the company would have to reduce its workforce by 10 percent at the end of the month due to declining demand for their products. She spent several hours preparing charts, tables, graphs, diagrams, and other visual aids for a presentation to the employees about the upcoming layoffs. Although the company's situation was uncertain, Sandra intended to tell the employees that the layoffs were a short-term measure and that the long-term prospects for the company were very favorable. Sandra hoped that the optimistic tone of the presentation would help employees understand the reasons for her decision and feel better about the layoff situation. -By the time that Sandra had finished the presentation to the employees, she had spoken for one and one-half hours and had shown 24 visual aids. No one asked a question. The employees were probably dealing with which of the following barriers to effective communication?