Gail Fairhurst | University of Cincinnati (original) (raw)

Papers by Gail Fairhurst

Research paper thumbnail of Organizational discourse and communication: the progeny of Proteus

Discourse & Communication, 2008

As VanDijk(2007) proposed in the nrst issue of Discourse and Communication, the main purpose of t... more As VanDijk(2007) proposed in the nrst issue of Discourse and Communication, the main purpose of this journal is to bridgethe two cross-disciplinesof communication and discourse studies. Giventhis goal, this article sought to help clear the ground for such interdisciplinary developmentby investigating how organizational researchers use the terms 'discourse' and 'communication' and cast discourse-communication relationships. Byreviewing 112 organizational discourse studies from major journals in communication, organizational studies, and interdisciplinary journals published between 1981 and 2006, this study identifieddiverse conceptualizations of these basic concepts. The findings help dispelsome of the misunderstandings that scholars from one research fieldmay possess toward the other and sort through some, if not all. the confusions regarding the terms 'discourse', 'communication', and their relationships.

Research paper thumbnail of Resistance leadership: The overlooked potential in critical organization and leadership studies

Research paper thumbnail of The Male Nursing Student as a Token

Research in Nursing & Health, 1984

The purpose of this research was to test the applicability of Kanter's theory of tokenism to male... more The purpose of this research was to test the applicability of Kanter's theory of tokenism to male nursing students. Kanter's theory states that numerical underrepresentation, not cultural factors, causes tokens to experience greater performance pressure, social isolation, and role entrapment. Subjects were 322 male and female nursing students from two similar midwestern nursing schools. Subjects completed instruments measuring social isolation, upward communication distortion, performance pressure, and communication apprehension. This research did not find support for Kanter's claims. Possible explanations for the findings include sex status differences and the nurturing character of the nursing profession.

Research paper thumbnail of Reflections on the organization‐communication equivalency question: The contributions of James Taylor and his colleagues

The Communication Review, 1999

... 1997a, 1997b; Cooren & Taylor, 1997; Taylor, 1993, 1995; Taylor & Cooren, 199... more ... 1997a, 1997b; Cooren & Taylor, 1997; Taylor, 1993, 1995; Taylor & Cooren, 1997; Taylor, Cooren, Giroux & Robichaud, 1996; Taylor ... of their argument, what Taylor and his colleagues are essentially posing is the discur-sive equivalent of the structuration maxim—that structure ...

Research paper thumbnail of Managerial Control Strategies for Poor Performance over Time and the Impact on Subordinate Reactions

Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, 1995

Using a longitudinal lab design, the evolving nature of control strategies enacted by managers in... more Using a longitudinal lab design, the evolving nature of control strategies enacted by managers in responding to poor performing subordinates was examined from both the manager′s and the subordinate′s perspective. Control strategies, characterized by the manager′s use of corrective actions and verbal influence tactics, were found to be somewhat related to the severity of the particular incident. Managers showed consistency in their control strategies with punitive corrective actions and verbal influence tactics tending to be repeatedly used with a poor performing subordinate. However, managers were also found to experiment with punitive corrective actions and verbal influence tactics across time, apparently searching for effective control strategies. The subordinate′s perceptions of interactional justice were also examined and found to be related to the control strategies enacted by the managers.

Research paper thumbnail of Organizations as Discursive Constructions

Communication Theory, 2004

In this article we examine the relationship between discourse and organization. It is a relations... more In this article we examine the relationship between discourse and organization. It is a relationship of growing interest in the communication literature as organizations are increasingly framed as discursive constructions. However, such framing appears subject to at least 3 interpretations. First, an organization may be cast as an already formed object with features and outcomes reflected in discourse. Second, organizations may be seen in a perpetual state of becoming through the ways that the properties of discourse shape organizing. Finally, organizations may be grounded in action, anchored in social practices and discursive forms. Moreover, each of these 3 orientations provides a different cast to the terms discourse and Discourses. We use these interpretations and different notions about discourse to explore the research traditions on organizational language and social interaction. We contend that all 3 orientations are necessary and should operate simultaneously to reveal a complex view of the organization-discourse relationship.

Research paper thumbnail of Why are we here? Managing the meaning of an organizational mission statement

Journal of Applied Communication Research, 1997

The purpose of this study was to identify and test the influences that lead individuals to active... more The purpose of this study was to identify and test the influences that lead individuals to actively manage the meaning of a company Mission Statement. Communication about a company Mission Statement was hypothesized to be a function of an individual's information environment, level of work unit commitment, trust in management, and organizational role. The Management of Meaning Scale (MMS) was developed to assess specific meaning management behaviors. The MMS was cast as the chief dependent variable in a path analysis using LISREL. The general model was well supported. Implications for practices associated with Mission Statement implementation are discussed.

Research paper thumbnail of Social structure in leader‐member interaction

Communication Monographs, 1989

... begin an exploration of the conversational procedures of power." Moreover, they are usua... more ... begin an exploration of the conversational procedures of power." Moreover, they are usually made up of influence attempts which ... study leader-member conflict ... going to materially change anything out there")- The use of the "snow" metaphor by Norm, charging deception, and the ...

Research paper thumbnail of The leader‐member exchange patterns of women leaders in industry: A discourse analysis

Communication Monographs, 1993

This study takes as problematic the communicatively constructed nature of Leader‐Member Exchange ... more This study takes as problematic the communicatively constructed nature of Leader‐Member Exchange (LMX) and gender. Actual, routine work conversations for six female leaders and their 16 male and female members were analyzed using a case comparison method. Constant comparison of conversations produced 12 discourse patterns that successfully discriminated between high, medium, and low LMX relationships. The analysis focuses upon the functioning of the patterns and the influence of gender in the construction of high, medium, and low LMXs.

Research paper thumbnail of FACE SUPPORT IN CONTROLLING POOR PERFORMANCE

Human Communication Research, 1984

The purpose of this study was to describe the use of face support in managerial communication on ... more The purpose of this study was to describe the use of face support in managerial communication on controlling poor performance. Face support was defined according to the degree of approval (positive face) and the degree of freedom given to poor performers to define a course of action (autonomy). Seventy bank branch managers were interviewed about a recent performance problem they had at tempted to control. Managers' use of positive face and autonomy strategies suggested punitive and problem solving styles of control. Further, an overall performance rating of the employee was positively correlated with use of positive face support and use of autonomy was positively correlated with the length of time between problem recurrence.

Research paper thumbnail of Organizational discourse and communication: the progeny of Proteus

Discourse & Communication, 2008

As VanDijk(2007) proposed in the nrst issue of Discourse and Communication, the main purpose of t... more As VanDijk(2007) proposed in the nrst issue of Discourse and Communication, the main purpose of this journal is to bridgethe two cross-disciplinesof communication and discourse studies. Giventhis goal, this article sought to help clear the ground for such interdisciplinary developmentby investigating how organizational researchers use the terms 'discourse' and 'communication' and cast discourse-communication relationships. Byreviewing 112 organizational discourse studies from major journals in communication, organizational studies, and interdisciplinary journals published between 1981 and 2006, this study identifieddiverse conceptualizations of these basic concepts. The findings help dispelsome of the misunderstandings that scholars from one research fieldmay possess toward the other and sort through some, if not all. the confusions regarding the terms 'discourse', 'communication', and their relationships.

Research paper thumbnail of Resistance leadership: The overlooked potential in critical organization and leadership studies

Research paper thumbnail of The Male Nursing Student as a Token

Research in Nursing & Health, 1984

The purpose of this research was to test the applicability of Kanter's theory of tokenism to male... more The purpose of this research was to test the applicability of Kanter's theory of tokenism to male nursing students. Kanter's theory states that numerical underrepresentation, not cultural factors, causes tokens to experience greater performance pressure, social isolation, and role entrapment. Subjects were 322 male and female nursing students from two similar midwestern nursing schools. Subjects completed instruments measuring social isolation, upward communication distortion, performance pressure, and communication apprehension. This research did not find support for Kanter's claims. Possible explanations for the findings include sex status differences and the nurturing character of the nursing profession.

Research paper thumbnail of Reflections on the organization‐communication equivalency question: The contributions of James Taylor and his colleagues

The Communication Review, 1999

... 1997a, 1997b; Cooren & Taylor, 1997; Taylor, 1993, 1995; Taylor & Cooren, 199... more ... 1997a, 1997b; Cooren & Taylor, 1997; Taylor, 1993, 1995; Taylor & Cooren, 1997; Taylor, Cooren, Giroux & Robichaud, 1996; Taylor ... of their argument, what Taylor and his colleagues are essentially posing is the discur-sive equivalent of the structuration maxim—that structure ...

Research paper thumbnail of Managerial Control Strategies for Poor Performance over Time and the Impact on Subordinate Reactions

Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, 1995

Using a longitudinal lab design, the evolving nature of control strategies enacted by managers in... more Using a longitudinal lab design, the evolving nature of control strategies enacted by managers in responding to poor performing subordinates was examined from both the manager′s and the subordinate′s perspective. Control strategies, characterized by the manager′s use of corrective actions and verbal influence tactics, were found to be somewhat related to the severity of the particular incident. Managers showed consistency in their control strategies with punitive corrective actions and verbal influence tactics tending to be repeatedly used with a poor performing subordinate. However, managers were also found to experiment with punitive corrective actions and verbal influence tactics across time, apparently searching for effective control strategies. The subordinate′s perceptions of interactional justice were also examined and found to be related to the control strategies enacted by the managers.

Research paper thumbnail of Organizations as Discursive Constructions

Communication Theory, 2004

In this article we examine the relationship between discourse and organization. It is a relations... more In this article we examine the relationship between discourse and organization. It is a relationship of growing interest in the communication literature as organizations are increasingly framed as discursive constructions. However, such framing appears subject to at least 3 interpretations. First, an organization may be cast as an already formed object with features and outcomes reflected in discourse. Second, organizations may be seen in a perpetual state of becoming through the ways that the properties of discourse shape organizing. Finally, organizations may be grounded in action, anchored in social practices and discursive forms. Moreover, each of these 3 orientations provides a different cast to the terms discourse and Discourses. We use these interpretations and different notions about discourse to explore the research traditions on organizational language and social interaction. We contend that all 3 orientations are necessary and should operate simultaneously to reveal a complex view of the organization-discourse relationship.

Research paper thumbnail of Why are we here? Managing the meaning of an organizational mission statement

Journal of Applied Communication Research, 1997

The purpose of this study was to identify and test the influences that lead individuals to active... more The purpose of this study was to identify and test the influences that lead individuals to actively manage the meaning of a company Mission Statement. Communication about a company Mission Statement was hypothesized to be a function of an individual's information environment, level of work unit commitment, trust in management, and organizational role. The Management of Meaning Scale (MMS) was developed to assess specific meaning management behaviors. The MMS was cast as the chief dependent variable in a path analysis using LISREL. The general model was well supported. Implications for practices associated with Mission Statement implementation are discussed.

Research paper thumbnail of Social structure in leader‐member interaction

Communication Monographs, 1989

... begin an exploration of the conversational procedures of power." Moreover, they are usua... more ... begin an exploration of the conversational procedures of power." Moreover, they are usually made up of influence attempts which ... study leader-member conflict ... going to materially change anything out there")- The use of the "snow" metaphor by Norm, charging deception, and the ...

Research paper thumbnail of The leader‐member exchange patterns of women leaders in industry: A discourse analysis

Communication Monographs, 1993

This study takes as problematic the communicatively constructed nature of Leader‐Member Exchange ... more This study takes as problematic the communicatively constructed nature of Leader‐Member Exchange (LMX) and gender. Actual, routine work conversations for six female leaders and their 16 male and female members were analyzed using a case comparison method. Constant comparison of conversations produced 12 discourse patterns that successfully discriminated between high, medium, and low LMX relationships. The analysis focuses upon the functioning of the patterns and the influence of gender in the construction of high, medium, and low LMXs.

Research paper thumbnail of FACE SUPPORT IN CONTROLLING POOR PERFORMANCE

Human Communication Research, 1984

The purpose of this study was to describe the use of face support in managerial communication on ... more The purpose of this study was to describe the use of face support in managerial communication on controlling poor performance. Face support was defined according to the degree of approval (positive face) and the degree of freedom given to poor performers to define a course of action (autonomy). Seventy bank branch managers were interviewed about a recent performance problem they had at tempted to control. Managers' use of positive face and autonomy strategies suggested punitive and problem solving styles of control. Further, an overall performance rating of the employee was positively correlated with use of positive face support and use of autonomy was positively correlated with the length of time between problem recurrence.