Communication Case
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- Date Submitted: 08/12/2011 04:41 PM
- Pages: 7
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Question 1:
Based on your reading, what are the key communication concepts evident in this case?
Based on my reading, there are several communication barriers evident in this case. Following I will represent three of them. The first communication barrier is a gender stereotype, which is one of perceptual distortions. According to Schiffman (1990, cited in Campling, Poole, Wiesner, Ang, Chan, Tan & Schermerhorn, 2008), a stereotype occurs when people simply apply common characteristics of a group to a specific person. One example of a stereotype is the glass ceiling, which is an invisible barrier for women’s career (Still, 1992). It is caused because stereotypical people often recognize most women as less skilled and experienced in management compared to men.
Another communication problem associated with the case is an ethnocentrism of valuing culture and gender diversity. It arises when people believe in their own group culture superiority, and measure others by their own ethnicity (Campling, et al., 2008). An ethnocentric individual will have problems with his communication style and behaviour. For instance, Shockley-Zalabak argues that men have different values and social behaviour styles from women (2009). As a result, male managers may behave improperly and treat female managers in a stereotypical way.
Except for above barriers, poor communication channels are also indicated in this case. Campling et al. (2008) points out that a communication channel is an instrumentality through which a transmitter sends information to a receiver. Using of poor or wrong channel will lead to ineffective communication in organisations. For example, if a manager is reviewing his subordinator’s bad performance in front of other employees rather than in a private place, the subordinator may feel embarrassed. So he might not be willing to accept any positive criticism or any suggestions for his further improvement.
Question 2:
How do the specific communication issues...
Based on your reading, what are the key communication concepts evident in this case?
Based on my reading, there are several communication barriers evident in this case. Following I will represent three of them. The first communication barrier is a gender stereotype, which is one of perceptual distortions. According to Schiffman (1990, cited in Campling, Poole, Wiesner, Ang, Chan, Tan & Schermerhorn, 2008), a stereotype occurs when people simply apply common characteristics of a group to a specific person. One example of a stereotype is the glass ceiling, which is an invisible barrier for women’s career (Still, 1992). It is caused because stereotypical people often recognize most women as less skilled and experienced in management compared to men.
Another communication problem associated with the case is an ethnocentrism of valuing culture and gender diversity. It arises when people believe in their own group culture superiority, and measure others by their own ethnicity (Campling, et al., 2008). An ethnocentric individual will have problems with his communication style and behaviour. For instance, Shockley-Zalabak argues that men have different values and social behaviour styles from women (2009). As a result, male managers may behave improperly and treat female managers in a stereotypical way.
Except for above barriers, poor communication channels are also indicated in this case. Campling et al. (2008) points out that a communication channel is an instrumentality through which a transmitter sends information to a receiver. Using of poor or wrong channel will lead to ineffective communication in organisations. For example, if a manager is reviewing his subordinator’s bad performance in front of other employees rather than in a private place, the subordinator may feel embarrassed. So he might not be willing to accept any positive criticism or any suggestions for his further improvement.
Question 2:
How do the specific communication issues...