CMWKFI – Organizational Communication AND Information Theories

In 1999, a low-budget film called “Office Space” helped define the work experience for young computer-guys at that time.

Take a look at a couple of these scenes between one of the young men, Peter, and his boss, Bill Lumbergh. As you view the clips, think about the ways in which structuration, organization culture theory, or organizational information theory apply to or inform what is going on in these scenes. This is “TPS Report Covers”:

This is “Working Late”:

Some questions for you:

1. Can you give an example where there was an ambiguous message at your organization? How did people resolve the communication challenge? How many “cycles” were used?
2. Why might a professor deliberately give ambiguous instructions for an assignment in a communication class?
3. Have you ever used equivocal messages to resolve a dispute? Why did you make that choice and was it effective?

Please write a cogent, coherent response; make sure to support your comments with researched evidence.