Talking Up: Study of Upward Influence Strategies

In organizations with emphasis on transparency, flexibility, informal talks and open door policies, subordinate-superior relationships and communication patterns are a significant deviation from the norm. This study analyzes transcripts of 23 pieces of interviews for identification of Upward Influence (UI) strategies in a multi-national FMCG company, with aforementioned cultural traits. Extensively discussed strategies like, imitation, reason and logic, and upward appeal, were identified through conversation analysis. Two new strategies, emerged in the course of the analysis, viz. reasoned aggression and nonchalance. The study describes the choice and use of UI strategies in this particular organization. It proceeds to discuss the need for improved understanding of UI strategies in isolation and combination, and in relation to culture, team affiliations, and interpersonal relationships.

Man and Woman Talk: Grammatical and Syntactical Similarities and Disparities

Multiple research studies on grammar and syntax used by men and women stress disparities stemming from gender specific styles of “talk”. Borrowing from the existing literature, we analyzed transcripts of 107 employees in an Indian organization to study variations, if any, in grammar and syntax across genders at the middle management level. Our study was based on an analysis of reported speech of a critical incident of upward influence in the organization. We classified the transcripts into two clusters, viz., male and female. A frequency count for some grammatical and syntactical forms was taken. Frequency count of the grammatical forms revealed no significant disparity in language used by males and females in same and mixed sex groups. The reasons for this finding are as follows: 1. Use of language is not gender specific. More specifically, sentential constructs are not governed by gender. 2. The content and context, if similar, yield similar results. 3. Evolution of a language pattern that is “organizationally fit” rather than gender governed. Significant variations in use of tags and hedges were identified. Based on the above findings, we attribute the variations in syntactical forms to aspects other than those related to “male” or “female” concepts of style, proposed by earlier researchers – for a study of the concept of style will require a framework which studies the linguistic form and the social functions in sync.

Upward Influence: A Linguistic Act of Gaining Compliance

Employees within the organization are faced with the task of influencing their superiors and gaining compliance. By effectively using influence they can secure desired results and resources from their superiors. According to scholars and researchers use of appropriate upward influence strategies also contribute to the effective functioning of the organization. While considerable work has been done on strategies, literature on the medium through which these strategies are applied, viz. speech, is sparse. The study attempts to bridge the gap by demonstrating through analysis of dialogue in the corporate environment that study of speech and familiarity with rules can facilitate the process of upward influence. It draws on Speech Act Theory to prove that employees can frame their strategies for successful upward influencing by structuring them in accordance with linguistic rules.

Gender Issues: Proposing New Paradigms

Gender diffeences transgressing beyond the biological, have been amply evidenced in the work scenario. Corporates are making endeavours to change work environment and policies so as to make the corporate culture harmonious for both men and women. Our attempt in this paper is to identify gender issues, real or imagined, and suggest recommendations. We also propose to analyze, in the paper, the inherent truth, if any, in these differences. Are they only figments of the imagination, exist in the perception of the employees, or are they a reality? Our study is the first of its kind in India. It is aimed at identifying the issues that both men and women face in a professional environment, and to suggest recommendations which the policymakers can use. We conducted the study in 3 phases consisting of pilot study, focus group discussions and questionnaire survey. Each phase helped in building on the topic and making the study more robust. On the basis of the findings, a few recommendations have been made which will be a value-add to organizations for implementing changes in policies, and designing communcation campaigns and forums where inhibiting and enabling thoughts and expressions can be freely discussed. Additionally, we have been able to collate some of the best practices followed in the IT and ITeS Sector which will be an important resource for oganizations to build on.

Coffee, Tea or …? : Gender and Politeness in Computer Mediated Communication (CMC)

Research shows that electronic communication has affected written language significantly. The increasing importance of use of Computer Mediated Communication (CMC) in organizations has multiple implications for use of written language at workplace. This study focuses on the influence of gender and politeness on writing style in CMC, specifically work related emails, in the Indian context. Grice’s Cooperative Principle (CP) and Leech’s maxims of Politeness have been used to analyze samples of 494 work related emails written by both men and women. On the basis of this analysis, an attempt has been made to study the relationship between gender, politeness and email content. On the basis of the data, it is concluded that: 1. Different politeness maxims across genders are used in work related emails. 2. Politeness maxims are used in clusters. 3. Variations in use of politeness maxims across genders are highest in directives. 4. Violations of politeness maxims are higher in men than in women.

Gender Differences in the Use of FTAs when Reporting Incidents of UI: An Indian Study

The study, conducted in an Indian organization, aims to examine differences, if any, across genders in the use of face threatening acts (FTAs) while reporting incidents of upward influence (UI). The nature of incidents reported for use of UI entails the possible use of FTAs, that is, challenging the positive or negative face of the target to achieve certain desired objectives. Given research evidence on the differences in communication styles between men and women, we examined the possibility of any such differences in the use of FTA in reported speech within an organization. No significant differences were found between women and men in the use of FTAs. When the target was of the opposite gender as the agent, the latter was more likely to use either bald on-record or on-record with redressive action strategy for influencing. In cases where both the interactants were of the same gender, the agent generally used FTAs such as on-record with redressive action and solidarity politeness to gain compliance. A combination of UI strategies was employed in such instances.

Checkmate! Winning the Game of Communication: A Study of Conversational Principles

Managerial communication in organizations can well be studied by using drama as a heuristic device to gain an understanding of the complexities governing structure of communication, goals of participants and application of conversational principles. The technique of learning/understanding communication by application of conversational principles and maxims to drama/theatre was applied to dialogue in three absurd plays, namely, The Zoo Story, Endgame, and The Chairs. Analysis indicated that principles and maxims of cooperation and politeness are essential but not necessary prerequisites for communication. Violations of one, namely, politeness principle do not lead to cessation of communication. Communication continues despite violations, for fructification of a higher goal than is evident at the textual level of the dialogue. Extrapolating the findings in the context of the managerial situation, we found the context/situation to be the most significant variable in determining violation of conversational principles

Gender, Affect and Upward Influence

Upward influence tactics affect the attitude, perceptions and behavior of the supervisors towards their subordinates. This influence may be used both for organizational and personal purposes. With more and more women joining the work place, gender becomes a significant construct given that upward influence tactics may have nuances different for men and women, especially in the Indian context. The hypotheses that made an attempt to understand gender differences in terms of use of upward influence tactics and the moderating effect of the positive and the negative affect, were tested with a sample of employees (N=107) working in a large bank in Western India. The study employed both in-depth exploratory interviews and a survey methodology. While the interview data was subjected to rigorous content analysis techniques, regression analysis was performed on survey data. Results indicated that the gender of the agent and the supervisor, as well as the interaction of gender and affective styles, influenced the choice of upward influence tactics.

A study of caesarean section at full cervical dilatation

Background: Caesarean sections performed in the second stage of labour are difficult and have many implications on both mother and baby. This study was conducted to analyse fetal and maternal outcome in case of caesarean section at full cervical dilatation.Methods: This prospective study was conducted at one of tertiary care teaching institute for period of 1st August 2019 to 31st January 2020. It includes all women delivered by caesarean section at full cervical dilatation at study institute during study period. Cases were looked for parity, maternal age, gestational age, baby birth weight, indication of cesarean section and associated factors.Results: Out of total 3657 deliveries 1690 were delivered by caesarean section, out of which 65 (3.8%) caesarean sections were conducted at full cervical dilation. The most common indication of caesarean section was deep transverse arrest in 66.15% of cases. The maximum number of cases (69.23%) were seen between the age group of 20 to 25 years. Majority of second stage cesarean section (70.77%) were performed in primi gravida. 80% of caesarean sections at full cervical dilatation were performed after 37 weeks of gestation. 15.38% of patients had anemia, 20% had hypertension, 4.61% had history of previous caesarean section. Baby weight at time of birth was 2.5 to 3.5 kg in 67.70% of cases. 15.38% of patients required blood transfusion.Conclusions: A skilled obstetrician is required to take timely and proper decision in such cases and also to conduct cesarean section at second stage of labour

A prospective study of obstetric and gynaecological emergencies in a tertiary care hospital

Background: The management of obstetrics and gynaecological emergency is directed at the preservation of life, health, sexual function and the perpetuation of fertility. The main aim of the study was to access the burden of surgical emergency and to study the course of management at a tertiary care hospital.Methods: This prospective study was carried out in the department of obstetrics and gynaecology, S. S. G. Hospital, Baroda for a period from January to December 2018.Results: A total of 73 patients presented to our emergency room who required urgent surgical intervention. All patients were resuscitated and surgery was done at earliest possible time. The age of patient ranged from 18 to 45 years.  About 75.8% of female presented with the complaint of acute abdomen, followed by 32.9% with bleeding per vaginum. 16.4% had vomiting, 6.8% with fever and 4.1% with mass per abdomen. In majority of cases a diagnosis of ruptured ectopic pregnancy (34 patients) was made, followed by PPH in 14 patients and 12 cases of rupture uterus. Four cases of torsion of ovarian mass and 3 cases of septic peritonitis were operated. The most common surgery performed was salpingectomy followed by subtotal obstetric hysterectomy. A mortality rate of 8.2% was noted.Conclusions: This study emphasized the great role of timely surgical intervention as lifesaving procedures. Skilled clinicians and immediate intervention in a tertiary care is the main-stay of the emergency case management and are indispensable for decreasing mortality and morbidity