Relative leader-member exchange within work groups: the mediating effect of leader-member conversation quality on group-focused citizenship behavior

We introduce a multilevel model that examines how and when relative leader-member exchange (RLMX) within the work group associates with group members’ commitment and organizational citizenship behavior. Results of the study are based on data gathered from a sample of 155 leader-member dyads within 25 work groups in a Malaysian organization and provide support for the hypotheses. Specifically, the results obtained from the analysis of a hierarchical linear modeling showed that leader-member conversation quality mediates the relationship between RLMX and group-focused citizenship behavior. The findings suggest that the relative group members’ ratings of leader-member exchange have the ability to influence the quality of leader-member conversation and that this positive relationship of RLMX on group-focused citizenship behavior is contingent on the direct and indirect effect of leader-member conversation quality

Public Education for Work Zone Safety

This project aims to help improve work zone driver safety in Indiana through driver education and public awareness campaigns. The project focused on two specific objectives: (1) to design a public awareness campaign to increase drivers’ knowledge and influence positive attitudes about work zone driver safety practices; and (2) to prepare educational materials to be incorporated into driver’s education or training curriculum prior to taking driving test and getting a driver’s license issued. The campaign was informed by formative research, conducted using a survey to assess public knowledge and attitudes. Based on these results, campaign messages were designed. The effectiveness of the campaign messages was tested through an online survey which provided feedback to improve the effectiveness of materials and messages. This report concludes with recommendations to INDOT for the successful implementation of the public awareness campaign and educational materials, that might be applicable to other states as well

Design of Educational Material and Public Awareness Campaigns for Improving Work Zone Driver Safety

This project aims to help improve work zone driver safety in Indiana through driver education and public awareness campaigns. The project focused on two specific objectives: (1) to design a public awareness campaign to increase drivers’ knowledge and influence positive attitudes about work zone driver safety practices; and (2) to prepare educational materials to be incorporated into driver’s education or training curriculum prior to taking driving test and getting a driver’s license issued. The campaign was informed by formative research, conducted using a survey to assess public knowledge and attitudes. Based on these results, campaign messages were designed. The team also designed an education curriculum which consists of three modules and fourteen knowledge questions. This report concludes with recommendations to INDOT for the successful implementation of the public awareness campaign and educational materials, that might be applicable to other states as well

Invitations for identification : an organizational communication analysis of the Democratic and Republican parties' attempts to court Latino voters

textAbstract: Latinos’ increasing numbers and their uncertain voting behaviors have enticed Democrats and Republicans to actively court this demographic group, seeking their partisan identification. Through in-depth interviews with campaign strategists, a quantitative content analysis of Latino-oriented television advertisements, and a survey of Latino citizens, this project examines these efforts. Findings reveal the nature of the Democrats and Republicans’ divergent approaches to meeting this new stakeholder group, how Latinos are constructed in campaign discourse, and Latinos’ modest levels of identification with these organizations. With implications for communication scholars, the parties, Latinos, and organizations in general, the project suggests that identification constitutes a relational enterprise.Communication Studie

Leading Distributed Teams: The Communicative Constitution Of Leadership

A key aspect of leadership effectiveness across geographical distance is communication. However, researchers are only beginning to empirically explore the communicative aspects and constitution of military units and leadership in these contexts. This article highlights communicative features and processes in studies of distributed military units, particularly in those that examine leadership. We discuss aspects of military leadership that are in particular need of a communicative lens, including the communication of command intent, sensemaking, and leading across multiple cultures. We present future research directions that will further advance our understanding of the inextricable relationship between leadership and communication in distributed contexts. © Taylor & Francis Group, LLC

The Impact of Communication Structure and Interpersonal Dependencies on Distributed Teams

Abstract—In the past decade, we have witnessed an explosive growth of the Web, online communities, and social media. This has led to a substantial increase in the range and scope of electronic communication and distributed collaboration. In distributed teams, social communication is thought to be critical for creating and sustaining relationships, but there is often limited opportunity for team members to build interpersonal connections through face to face interactions. Although social science research has examined some relational aspects of distributed teams, this work has only recently begun to explore the potentially complex relationship between communication, interpersonal relationship formation, and the effectiveness of distributed teams. In this work, we analyze data from an experimental study comparing distributed and co-located teams of undergraduates working to solve logic problems. We use a combined set of tools, including statistical analysis, social network analysis, and machine learning, to analyze the influence of interpersonal communication on the effectiveness of distributed and co-located teams. Our results indicate there are significant differences in participants ’ self- and group perceptions with respect to: (i) distributed vs. co-located settings, and (ii) communication structures within the team. I

Leading Distributed Teams: The Communicative Constitution of Leadership

A key aspect of leadership effectiveness across geographical distance is communication. However, researchers are only beginning to empirically explore the communicative aspects and constitution of military units and leadership in these contexts. This article highlights communicative features and processes in studies of distributed military units, particularly in those that examine leadership. We discuss aspects of military leadership that are in particular need of a communicative lens, including the communication of command intent, sensemaking, and leading across multiple cultures. We present future research directions that will further advance our understanding of the inextricable relationship between leadership and communication in distributed contexts. © Taylor & Francis Group, LLC