Fundamental Theories of Business Communication: Laying a Foundation for the Field (New Perspectives in Organizational Communication)

This book examines the major business communication theories, delving into their relationships and practical applications. Many business communication studies lack a strong theoretical grounding—a deficit that creates difficulties for researching business communication phenomena and building upon previous studies. The book addresses this issue by cataloging and briefly describing the major business communication theories, as well as giving a typology of these theories to better integrate them. This book provides value to business communication researchers (who can use it to build upon and develop their work), experts in practice (who can apply it to improve business communications), and academics (who can use it to enhance their instructional designs). It also offers insights into new developments on the business communication theory horizon. Acknowledgments Contents List of Figures List of Tables 1 Introduction What Is Business Communication What Is Theory Why We Wrote This Book References 2 How We Selected the Theories Initial Theory Search Refining the Theory List Survey Stage Conclusion References 3 A Typology of Business Communication Theories Typologies in Theory Development Creating the Typology Typology Categories Conclusion References 4 Theory Classification Classifying the Theories Area Reinforcement and Incongruence Core Theories Conclusion References 5 Channels and Barriers Chapter Theories Theory Descriptions: Channels and Barriers References 6 Cultural Characteristics and Influences Chapter Theories Overview Theory Descriptions: Cultural Characteristics and Influences References 7 Flows and Patterns Chapter Theories Theory Descriptions: Flows and Patterns References 8 Meaning-Making and Discovery Chapter Theories Theory Descriptions: Meaning-Making and Discovery References 9 Motivation and Persuasion Chapter Theories Theory Descriptions: Motivation and Persuasion References 10 Organizational Structures Chapter Theories Theory Descriptions: Organizational Structures References 11 Reasons and Representations Chapter Theories Theory Descriptions: Reasons and Representations References 12 Emerging and Noteworthy Theories Evolution of Core Theories Evolution of Major Theory Evolution of Focused Theory Innovative and Noteworthy Theoretical Contributions Communication Studies in Responsible Management: CSR and Crisis Communication References 13 Theory Traditions and Influences Early Modern Traditions Discursive and Psychological Perspectives Business Disciplines Communication/Composition/Linguistics/Rhetoric Information Systems Psychology/Sociology/Anthropology Public Relations and Mass Communication Conclusion References 14 Why We Need Business Communication Theories Theory and Observation—Companions in Understanding How Theory Advances Scientific Progress How Theory Can Create a Stronger Business Communication Community How Theory Advances Practice How Theory Advances Teaching in the Field How Theory Can Advance the Field Conclusion References 15 Conclusion and Future Development Aspirations Concluding Thoughts References 16 Recommended Readings References Index