Organizational communication is one of the division of the discipline of communication studies. It can be defined as analysis and criticism of communication functions in organizational contexts. Advantages of viewing organizational communication in terms of power is that the researcher is able to understand the effectiveness of downward communication. Viewing organizational communication in terms of power also helps to establish how power affects communication among individuals in an organization. The disadvantage of this view is that it does not effectively analyze communication in an organization.
Critical approach originated from the school of thought of critical theory. This term originated from sociology and literary criticism. It underscores the importance of reflective evaluation and critique of issues by using knowledge from other disciplines. Critical theorizing is and will remain relevant presently. This is because it helps to point out problems in organizations triggering the management to find a solution them. It also focuses on how members of organizations can raise positive changes.
There are different views of the nature of power in an organization. The first view deals with observable and deliberate use of power by representatives of an organization. The second view is that of personal power, this is required to bring change in an organization. The third one stresses on power sharing in an organization enabling agencies to manage organizational changes.
Ideology is a set of guidelines that constitute organizational goals and actions. Ideologies can enable communication in an organization if they allow and encourage the spread of ideas among the members. Ideologies may constrain communication in an organization if they deter members from free expression and spread of ideas.
Metaphors, myths, and stories play very crucial roles in maintaining and transforming existing power relations. They paint some identities into power and hence deserving powerful positions. They also give the positions of certain individuals in the society which is not supposed to change.
Concertive control is that control that is practiced by workers themselves through collaboration. It is characterized by high discipline set according to some core values. Experiences on this are of bargaining for better salaries and working condition as an employee.
Discourse is referred to articulated or on paper communications. Organizational knowledge is that individual knowledge when it is put in a common pool with that of another. The two terms are related in that they give more information about the organization.
Increasing visible data and camera surveillance in modern times is one of the elements of panopticon. Electrical surveillance helps the managers exercise their supervision powers within an organization by providing them with a view of all the employees at work.
Healthcare is an important context for critical inquiry since it seeks to protect and ensure wellness of the society. The concept of health communication and ideology offers the most weight in terms of bringing change in the health-care context.
Resistance from global social movements has the greatest ability to effect change since they involve a majority in the society. These movements are not widespread due to lack of publicity. Critical approaches encourage organization on attention and good humor in service of organizational authorization and impartiality. The issue raising concern is that of modern technology misuse. Technological usage is one of the most preferred and adopted ideology by the organization and employees. The remedy to this is to ensure ethical and controlled usage of technology.
