Organisational Communication and Leadership

Introduction

Already in 1938 stated organisational researcher Chester Bernard that "the structure, extent and scope of the organisation is almost entirely determined by communication techniques". Communication is crucial for organisations to work. Today's organisations are living by sharing knowledge, explore it, find new solutions, and develop a common understanding of it. Only then can they decide and take actions in the community. Leadership is then increasingly to motivate, create meaning, adapt and understand their employees. Employees must build good relationships to be oriented, creative, and understand wholes in their work. All this is about communication. Communication creates both organisational and individual performance. Individuals are motivated, dedicated, productive and loyal. Organisations are efficient, innovative, and profitable.

Communication is complex in the sense that it is difficult to control what individuals want to communicate, and what individuals perceive of what is actually communicated. Meanwhile, communication is continuous in the sense that you can never turn it off. Therefore vast resources are used of organisations on communication. The more people who are competent at what they communicate and how they can best understand, the better your organisation will perform.

To improve students' understanding of effective management, the course aims to provide basic insights into how communication works and creates profitable organisations. The course addresses both, communication between human interaction at the micro level (e.g. Conflict, mutual understanding, effective relationships ...) and communication as structural mechanisms at the macro level (e.g. Organisational networks, power and communication, communication channels ...). Students will develop their own skills to understand, operate, and manage better in organisations.

Course content

Basics of Communication　

• Communication and organizations 　
• Organizational Theory and Communication　

Macro Areas: Structures and Processes　

• Organizational Structure and Communication 　
• Technology and Communication in Organizations
• Communication for Learning 　
• Cross-cultural communication and diversity 　
• Communication in change processes 　

Micro Areas: Approaches and skills　

• Communication and Leadership 　
• Interpersonal communication 　
• Communication in groups 　
• Conflict