Describes Karl E. Weick's role in developing organizational communication research and illustrates how others have adopted and utilized some of his pivotal concepts. Summarizes ways in which ongoing research has enhanced understanding of organizing as communicating, organizing as sense-making, and organizational culture. (SG)

Discusses the nature, scope, and clarity of both David Tukey's and Jeffery Bineham's claims (presented in previous articles in this issue). Analyzes their exchange from the standpoint of one whose work is being neither attacked nor defended. Evaluates Bineham's critique of Tukey's position, Bineham's own counterargument, and the case study Bineham…

Reports a test of three competing explanations of the influence of prosocialness (benefiting society) on the operation of two sequential request techniques (foot-in-the-door and door-in-the-face). Finds that prosocialness did influence compliance but that it had no demonstrable impact on the operation of either request technique. (NH)

Finds that the initiators of verbal aggression in a discussion were seen by observers as less credible and had fewer valid arguments credited to them, whereas targets of verbal aggression were seen as more credible and were credited with more valid arguments when they reciprocated a level of verbal aggression. (SR)

Considers issues in rhetorical epistemology whose significance transcends religious communication and commitment. Examines consensus-based epistemology as a model for understanding religious belief. Discusses the implications of Jeffery Bineham's position for rhetorical criticism (presented in a previous article in this issue) as well as the…

Affirms Jeffery Bineham's general position on consensus theory (presented in a previous article in this issue), but identifies several problems in what Bineham sees as a consensus theory of rhetoric. Questions the necessity of prior truth for a genuine rhetoric, the relationship between consensus theory and independent existence, and the role of…

Examines the structure of participants' conceptions of ideal group discussion procedures. Finds that about one-half of the participants favor a "reach-testing" procedure, one-fifth a linear procedure, one-fifth a procedure beginning with reach-testing and ending with a linear stage, and one-tenth beginning with a linear stage and ending with…

Uses 20 years of research on organizing as a way of viewing current research efforts and of laying a foundation for future efforts. Compares organizational adjustments to jazz improvisations. Argues that, because of the relationship between organizational quality and criticism, there is no need for the additional trappings of hierarchy, rules,…

Replies to Jeffery Bineham's critique of intersubjectivist rhetoric (presented in a previous article in this issue). Argues that rhetoricians must (1) examine world views and more particularly views of human nature which are presumed by rhetorical theories; and (2) come to a better understanding of what is entailed by a spiritual dimension to…

Discusses consensus ontology and contrasts it with alternatives. Responds to four previous articles in this issue (by D. Tukey, J. Hikins, R. Scott, and D. Zarefsky) by discussing the nature of rhetoric, the possibility of nonsocial influence, and the possibility of ethical judgment. (KEH)

Examines systematically 11 years (1979-89) of organizational communication research. Finds that research has focused primarily on three topics: (1) climate and culture; (2) superior-subordinate relations and communications; and (3) power, conflict, and politics. Finds also that the majority of the studies were framed within a modernistic-empirical…

Offers a critique (incorporating several tenets of Afro-centric criticism with traditional rhetorical theories) of the lyrics of the activist rapper KRS-One, which address the issue of violence and presents a message to both African-American and white audiences. Finds that KRS-One's work sets the foundation for empowering African-American youth by…

Investigates whether background television produces structural interference with aspects of cognitive processing. Finds a significant deleterious effect on a geometric analogies and completion task involving visuo-spatial processing and marginal improvement on a parallel verbal analogy test. Shows that concurrent television exposure had no…

Examines Students for a Democratic Society's recruitment efforts through public, mass, and interpersonal communication channels. Concludes that scholars investigating movements should look beyond public and mass communication if they seek a general theory of the rhetoric of movements. (SR)

Suggests it is couples' communication skills and problem-solving strategies, not their specific problems, that differentiate satisfied and dissatisfied couples. Concludes after a study of couples' arguments that adjusted couples are more likely to use effective complaint sequences, whereas maladjusted couples are more likely to employ ineffective…