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2015/2016  KAN-CICOO1006U  Organizational Communication I: Structures and Dynamics

English Title
Organizational Communication I: Structures and Dynamics

Course information
Language English
Course ECTS 7.5 ECTS
Type Mandatory
Level Full Degree Master
Duration One Semester
Start time of the course Autumn
Timetable Course schedule will be posted at calendar.cbs.dk
Study board
Study Board for MA in International Business Communication
Course coordinator
  • Steffen Blaschke - Department of International Business Communication (IBC)
Main academic disciplines
  • Communication
  • Management
  • Language
Last updated on 23/09/2015
Learning objectives
To achieve the grade 12, students should meet the following learning objectives with no or only minor mistakes or errors: Ability to
  • identify and describe organizational issues in communicative terms,
  • analyze and explain the causes for these issues by drawing upon the scholarly literature introduced in the course,
  • critically reflect on key theoretical concepts and apply them to empirical data,
  • put arguments into good academic writing (clear, accurate, and precise prose, correct use of relevant terminology, coherent structure of arguments, correct use of references).
Examination
Organizational Communication I: Structures and Dynamics:
Exam ECTS 7.5
Examination form Home assignment - written product
Individual or group exam Individual
Size of written product Max. 5 pages
Assignment type Written assignment
Duration 72 hours to prepare
Grading scale 7-step scale
Examiner(s) One internal examiner
Exam period Winter
Make-up exam/re-exam
Same examination form as the ordinary exam
Description of the exam procedure

A set of research questions will be posted to Learn on a specific date. Students then have 72 hours to answer the questions in a single written paper not exceeding five pages.

The criteria for evaluation are:

 

* Structure of the argument

* Theory

* Methodology

* Literature

* Independence

* Style
Course content and structure

The course introduces students to communicative approaches to the management of organizational structures and dynamics. In particular, it addresses issues of hierarchy and heterarchy, power and politics, leadership and governance, as well as change and resistance, creativity and innovation, conflict and crisis.

The range of themes and topics in organizational communication comprises:

 

1. Text and Conversation: A Communicative Theory of the Firm

2. Organizational Structures Between Hierarchy and Heterarchy

3. Organizing and Organization: From Single Communication Events to Networks of Communication Episodes

4. Playing Language Games: Power and Politics

5. Discursive Management: Leadership and Governance

6. Overcoming Resistance to Change

7. From Creativity to (Open) Innovation

8. Weathering the Storms of Conflict and Crisis

 

 
Teaching methods
The course features a series of lectures that introduces students to the theory and practice of organizational communication. Accompanying individual and group exercises offer the opportunity for students to put the respective theory into practice themselves. A mid-term exam execise will receive individual feedback.
Student workload
lectures 20 hours
preparation for lectures 40 hours
exercises and feedback 24 hours
preparation for exercises 72 hours
exam incl preparation 54 hours
Expected literature

* Ashcraft, K. L., Kuhn, T. R., & Cooren, F. (2009). Constitutional Amendments: ``Materializing’' Organizational Communication. Academy of Management Annals, 3(1), 1–64.

* Blaschke, S., Schoeneborn, D., & Seidl, D. (2012). Organizations as Networks of Communication Episodes: Turning the Network Perspective Inside Out. Organization Studies, 33(7), 879–906.

* Boje, D. M., Oswick, C., & Ford, J. D. (2004). Language and Organization: The Doing of Discourse. Academy of Management Review, 29(4), 571–577. doi:10.2307/20159071

* Ford, J. D., & Ford, L. W. (1995). The Role of Conversations in Producing Intentional Change in Organizations. Academy of Management Review, 20(3), 541–570.

* Cooren, F., Kuhn, T. R., Cornelissen, J. P., & Clark, T. (2011). Communication, Organizing and Organization: An Overview and Introduction to the Special Issue. Organization Studies, 32(9), 1–22.

* Fairhurst, G. T., & Putnam, L. L. (2004). Organizations as Discursive Constructions. Communication Theory, 14(1), 5–26.

* Kuhn, T. (2008). A Communicative Theory of the Firm: Developing an Alternative Perspective on Intra-organizational Power and Stakeholder Relationships. Organization Studies, 29(8--9), 1227–1254.

* Robichaud, D., Giroux, H., & Taylor, J. R. (2004). The Metaconversation: The Recursive Property of Language as a Key to Organizing. Academy of Management Review, 29(4), 617–634.

* Schoeneborn, D., Blaschke, S., Cooren, F., McPhee, R. D., Seidl, D., & Taylor, J. R. (2014). The Three Schools of CCO Thinking: Interactive Dialogue and Systematic Comparison. Management Communication Quarterly, 28(2), 285–316.

 

A complete list of the literature will be posted to Learn.
Last updated on 23/09/2015