Abstract This paper examines an organizational communicationproblem encountered at the small political activists' organization for which the author of the paper once volunteered. The paper explains that there was an organizational communicationproblem because the volunteer supervisor did not have projects ready during the scheduled volunteer time slots and that, despite a thorough interview process to determine skill-need matches and to discover prior verbal scheduling of volunteer times, this problem persisted for months. The paper then relates that the consequence of the communicationproblem was a diminished enthusiasm for the cause and growing level of frustration causing the author to cease volunteering despite having a true belief in its mission. The author analyzes the situation and proposes that a communication plan should have been written and a communication vehicle defined.
Table of Contents:
Introduction
Knowledge
Sensitivity
Skills
Values
Alternative Solutions
Proposed Solutions
From the Paper "This paper does acknowledge that as with many political activists' organizations, things happen on the spot, and there is a great deal of crisis management, and not a lot of pre-planning. Additionally the communication focus for this organization was external, not internal. This organizational culture spilled over into the communication methods of this writer's volunteer work, and was a cause of a great deal of frustration."
Tags: scheduling, time saving, volunteer plan, written instructions
Abstract This paper discusses issues with communication in the school system. It discusses the reasons why efficient communication is important in a school setting and it looks into some of the effects of poor communication. The paper focuses primarily on the obstacles that may exist to effective communication in a school setting and it then discusses possible solutions to these problems.
Table of Contents:
Introduction
The Nature and Purpose of Communication Obstacles to Communication in a School Setting
Solutions for the CommunicationProblems Conclusion
From the Paper "Schools in general are extremely intricate atmospheres for effective communication, more so then they seem. Bennett (1982) writes that every individual is driven in their actions, interpretations, sayings and preferences by their personal "vision of a just, peaceful and joyous world". The occupation of teaching is what teaches all other profession so it is extremely important that teachers are capable of instilling an effective method of the process of communication. The school setting can sometimes cause problems and challenges that aren't always anticipated or easy to handle for the administrators. But the opportunity to get rid of a problem comes with every problem and the solution of handling students in a school setting is to clearly understand their life history and experiences. Success will be found when the employees as well as the students have understood enough of each other's cultures to look beyond their boundaries and treat each other with mutual respect. The job of educational administrator is to instill this communicational ability his/her employees and students thereof."
Abstract This paper discusses nonverbal communication and states that people like to be treated in a polite manner, and are comfortable with the customs with which they have been taught. The paper continues and relates that people are not always comfortable with customs from other cultures, however, and may be offended because of cultural misunderstandings. The paper relates how nonverbal communication which affect other cultures, can be of help to a business person, no matter who he or she deals with, and concludes with a discussion on smiles and handshakes, two common gestures that are universal.
Outline:
Introduction and Background - The Importance of Nonverbal Communication The Problem - Ongoing Cultural Misunderstandings
Conclusion - Interpersonal and Communication Recommendations
From the Paper "Some of the most serious and important contests in the land, Presidential debates, begin with handshakes. The purpose there is not to equalize the opponents, but is more of a face-off acknowledgment, such as boxers do when they touch gloves before and after a fight. The candidates acknowledge one another, but they do not try to be equal. After the debate they shake hands again to show that they still have goodwill toward one another after the debate is over (Andrew, 2002). Business handshakes are an offshoot of this, but in recent years they have been reduced severely from what they used to mean. In older times, a handshake was a person's pledge and contract, showing that someone was honorable and intended to do what he or she said would be done. Now it is merely a formality when someone interviews with a prospective employer, when a person makes a purchase, or sometimes just when two people meet. Years ago, in the banking industry, people could borrow money based on their handshake. Nowadays there is much more to it than that. A handshake is no longer someone's word of honor."
Discusses how communication breaks down between leadership roles in the educational system and how this problem ultimately affects the school's performance.
1,400 words (approx. 5.6 pages), 5 sources, 2002, $ 53.95
Abstract Communicationproblem in the school system is as common as in other work places. It arises out of leadership roles of superintendents and teachers. Poor communication between teachers and support staff results in poor school performance. Group dynamics and racial prejudice in a multi-ethnic setting further contributes to this problem.
Abstract This paper looks at the communicationproblems between patients suffering from HIV/AIDs or for those who have an insecurity about discussing such problems with their general practitioners. Following on from this discussion is a brief case study and how to help the patient with his communication with his general practitioner.
Abstract This paper relates interracial communicationsproblems to the media and presents the "Uses and Gratification's" theory of mass communications to analyze the issue.
Abstract The paper examines and discusses several distinct and notable problems concerning a case study about the Faith Community Hospital. The key problem, or the problem of highest concern, as expressed in the case study, is that the level of patient care at this hospital is at risk. However, this is merely evidence to uncover serious or more noteworthy problems. In this case study, a variety of recognizable problems are introduced as well as the tools and techniques utilized to determine them. Several solutions to these problems are discussed, before the writer concludes that solving the main problems at the hospital will ultimately lead to better patient care and practices for the Faith Community Hospital.
Outline:
Identifying and Understanding the Problems Client and Staff Misconceptions from an Ambiguous Mission Statement
False or Misleading Values
Inconsistent Procedures and Policies
Addressing Ethical Misconceptions
Discussing Discrepancies in Monitoring Control and Financial Obligations
Problem Resolutions
Devising a Clear and Concise Mission Statement
Consistently Govern and Regulate Ethical Practices
The Board of Directors Must Monitor Finances and Procedural Control
From the Paper "There is obviously a problem with the mission statement since the CEO, Pat, tells Chris Smith, the newly promoted executive assistant, "We've got some interesting interpretations of the mission statement being made in all of our stakeholder groups...any idea what's going on out there?" The main problem here is that the mission statement is not written clearly enough, and it could easily be misinterpreted by the reader because of that person's ethical or religious beliefs. In addition to this, it is relevant that the mission statement addresses all types of stakeholders who each have different needs or concerns with regard to health care and the services they seek or expect. These undefined interpretations from the different groups denotes that the hospital is viewed in many different ways, and since the hospital itself has an unclear mission, other groups or organizations involved will most certainly have similar misleading perceptions."
This paper discusses the rise of the Community Orientated Policing and Problem Solving (COPPS) program, showing the positive influence it has had on tough neighborhoods and the satisfaction a community feels in having helped make theirs safer.
1,100 words (approx. 4.4 pages), 25 sources, 2001, $ 38.95
Abstract This paper discusses the rise of the Community Orientated Policing and Problem Solving (COPPS) program, showing the positive influence it has had on tough neighborhoods and the satisfaction a community feels in having helped make theirs safer.
From the paper:
"Crime is an issue of paramount social importance, one that directly and indirectly affects each and every member of society. The costs associated with crime are not merely financial. Emotional costs result when a criminal murders or severely injures an individual=s family member or close friend, or when an offender is incarcerated, depriving his or her family of the emotional and/or financial support. Public concern has increased over specific aspects of the crime problem in recent years, namely domestic violence, drug-related crime and violence, gang-related crime and violence, juvenile crime, prison reform, and the role of television in producing violence. Community Oriented Policing and Problem Solving (COPPS) gathered momentum in the 1980s and focuses on partnerships between communities and police officers, i.e., empowering citizens to shoulder their share of the responsibility and tough work of making their neighborhoods safer."
Abstract This paper states that communication apprehension is a problem for much of the population. The paper then goes on to analyze communication apprehension in a group of teachers using relevant theoretical concepts and perspectives. The paper also makes recommendations on how the problem can be resolved, based on interpersonal communication perspectives. The paper reviews the literature relating to communication apprehension and states that there are differences to consider in the manner in which males and females communicate.
Outline:
Introduction
Communication Apprehension Examined
Characteristics Of Communication Anxiety
Six Typical Cognitive Distortions Identified
Strategies For Coping With Communication Apprehension
Peer Feedback: Enabling Communication Skills
Differences In The Way Males And Females Communicate Summary & Conclusion
From the Paper "The work of Horwitz entitled: "Communication Apprehension: Origins and Management" states that the "treatment of communication apprehension is a natural fit for speech-language pathologists because many patients with clearly diagnosed communication disorders have anxiety about communicating that may or not may not be related to their presenting problems. In addition, speaking anxiety is a common universal problem among people without communication disorders." These reasons according to Horwitz, is convincing that ..."the study of communication apprehension warrants the attention of speech-language pathologists who can, with additional training, easily develop the expertise to treat the multitude of people who suffer from this problem." (2001) Horwitz relates that the work of Marshall (1994) states findings that thirty percent to forty percent "of the general population considered public speaking their number one fear, surpassing fears of heights, sickness, loneliness, and the dark."
Abstract The following paper examines the current problematic situation in Faith Community Hospital, where the overall problem is that the level of patient care is at risk, however the symptom lies deeper. Firstly, the writer introduces the variety of problems that have been recognized. The paper then provides several solutions, explaining their reasoning and how they will solve the problem. Finally it concludes by showing how solving these base problems ultimately leads to better patient care.
From the Paper As the CEO tells Chris, ;we;ve got some interesting interpretations of the mission statement being made, in all of our stakeholder groups.The main problem is that the mission statement is not clear enough, it can be interpreted in various ways. It is also relevant that the mission statement goes out to all types of stakeholders, who each have different needs. Interpretation from these different groups means that the hospital is viewed in many different ways, with the hospital itself having no clear mission and certainly all the parties involved with the hospital not having the same expectations.The values of the hospital are also open to interpretation. The faith of the hospital attracts those that support the faith.
Abstract The paper discusses the role of internal corporate communications in organizations and how problems can be solved internally. The paper explains corporate communications as one-sided communication and describes the problems that may arise from this process.
From the Paper "Many companies consider internal corporate communications to be one-sided communications from management to employees. Companies may be creative in the way that they formulate those communications using newsletters, staff meetings and even Internets as the medium of communication but the process is rarely considered strategic or quantitative. Increasingly, however, analysts are coming to realize that corporate communications occur regardless of whether companies plan those communications or not and even a lack of communication is itself a type of communication."
Abstract This paper looks at the relationship between stuttering, a speech disorder of dysfluency, which is classified as a speech problem and expressive language problems, which are classified as language disorders. It discusses how stuttering can appear to be a relatively minor communicationproblem, as the person knows what he or she wants to say and how it is the ability to communicate that separates us from the other animals. It demonstrates how communication is central to what makes us human and how stuttering can disrupt the normal rhythm of social interaction.
Outline
Introduction
Cause
Language Skills and Fluency
Research on the Topic
Discussion
Conclusion
From the Paper "Recent research in brain imaging has produced interesting new information. MRI's used to compare the brains of stutterers and non-stutterers showed anatomical differences in two areas used in language production: Broca's area and Wernicke's area (Perkins, 2001). This could easily lead one to assume that the cause of stuttering is a structural brain difference, but this might be an incorrect interpretation. The brain is plastic, and it is possible that these areas change over time as a result of the stuttering. However, it does give evidence regarding the involuntary nature of dysfluency (Perkins, 2001). Other neurological research suggests that the right hemisphere may be interfering with the language activities of the left hemisphere (Sobel, 2001). Other research implicates other parts of the brain. The region of the brain that processes hearing is active when fluent speakers speak but underactive when stutterers speak."
Abstract This case study looks objectively at the various problems facing a hypothetical community hospital. Here, the problems are outlined and analyzed, and recommendations for solutions to these problems are offered.
From the Paper "There are certainly a number of problems that exist in the operation of Faith Community Hospital. There are ethical problems among the staff in relation to the faith-based mission statement and initiative ..."
Tags: hospital operations, problems, solutions, case study
Abstract This paper discusses and examines the effectiveness of Community Oriented Policing and Problem Solving (COPPS) by police. The paper discusses concepts of COPPS, and how they differ from the traditional law enforcement approach. The paper further explains how commitment to the COPPS concept is crucial in order for the approach to work. Additionally, the paper discusses other concepts of community-oriented policing such as problem oriented policing (POP) and scanning analysis response assessment (SARA).
From the Paper "This paper examined the utilization of the community oriented policing and problem solving (COPPS_ approach by the police and the community and assessed its effectiveness. The first section of this paper comprised the discussion of the interrelated concepts of community-oriented policing (COP) and problem oriented policing (POP), as well as a problem-solving system known as "S A R A" - scanning analysis response assessment. The concise exploration of these concepts revealed its deviation from the traditional law enforcement approach. Unlike the traditional approach, in which the police officers arrest the..."
Abstract This paper focuses on the doctor/patient communication. It speaks of the ideas of the past in relation to this issue and how they have affected modern day medicine. The writer discusses the problems that exist when patients attempt communication with doctors, as well as problems that physicians face when addressing patients' concerns. The writer further offers suggestions for improvement and professional advice for resolving issues.
From the Paper "Traditionally patients have been accustomed to trusting in the services of doctors, and in accepting only the information given during a consultation. In years past, (especially in the days of the town doctor who made house calls) doctors often provided patients with only the details that the doctor felt the patient needed to know. Specifics of illnesses (mostly terminal cases) were only verbally provided when the doctor decided that it was appropriate to do so. Although patients generally knew that this occurred, it appeared to be acceptable to the general population for many years. This is not to insist that patients demanded medical information. Many patients believed that to query a physician was to disrespect his or her profession. More often than not this resulted in patients needlessly suffering with illnesses that might have been detected if the lines of communication between doctors and patients had been more open."
