If information is power and communication is how information is shared, then communication networks are a perfect way to examine power and group dynamics. (Communication networks Ch. 8, p.256-8) The book gives us a great visual for thinking about the different types of communication networks. The circle is like the children’s game of “telephone” where information is passed from one person to another. The all-channel model does not restrict communication to be centralized like the wheel and chain models do.
The book talks about these networks in terms of superior and inferior ways to communicate. I like to think that these different models are appropriate to different types of groups. Any military or para-military group must be centralized in some way in order to maximize efficiency. People operate solely on a “need to know basis”. However, this restricted information flow results in people knowing only what their superiors allow them to, making them completely dependent upon their leaders. On a fundraising committee for a non-profit organization, decentralized communication may result in more active member participation and the overall meeting of goals. The will also diffuse power throughout the group as any member may bring their leads to the table, and get credit for their input.
Avaliação Parcial - Empreendedorismo
15 years ago
1 comment:
This is a very good point in that every organization has to have a model to follow. I worked at a very small restaurant that was very structured most of the time, and yet sometimes they would start the shift and give nno direction. From that moment on the restaurant would run in complete chaos. Even our customers would notice! It is amazing to see that every organization needs a model to follow to ensure organization.
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