Anne Maydan Nicotera - Böcker

A concentration on communication processes is essential to sorting out fundamental problems in interpersonal relationships. This book provides a general theory of the role of communication in interpersonal relationships that is grounded in the rules perspective and focuses on self-concept and interaction as the generative mechanisms of relationship formation and growth. The authors explore the kind of information that is exchanged in the process of initiating, developing, and maintaining friend and mate relationships. Both types of relationships are explored in numerous cultural settings-including America and American subcultures as well as Korea, Nigeria, Japan, and China. The inclusion of Nigerian culture is particularly significant because the research literature in interpersonal communication is lacking any information from the continent of Africa. Implications are then considered for communication exchange across three categories of interpersonal communication-culture, conflict, and quality.

Focuses on the constructive nature of conflict and stresses conflict management as opposed to conflict resolution. Presents a comprehensive view of organizational conflict.This collection provides a well-rounded view of organizational conflict in three broad categories: ways of thinking about organizational conflict, individual processes, and interaction processes. It enriches the positivistic literature on conflict and organizations with a focus on non-reductionistic views of conflict, individual and interactive processes of conflict, conflict management (as opposed to resolution), and the constructive nature of conflict-aiming at understanding rather than prescription.Recounting the history of the study of organizational conflict, the book presents alternative views to the traditional positivistic approach and the traditional assumption that conflict is destructive. Rather, conflict is seen as a naturally-occurring human phenomenon, which may manifest itself on different levels with negative or positive outcomes. The book also focuses on the individual, showing how predisposition or skills impact on conflict in the organization, and vice versa. It also examines conflict interaction processes and their reciprocal influence on individuals, the organization, and/or the environment.

Provides research applications of a rules theory of mate relationships to several American cultures and two non-American cultures.This book presents research applications of a rules theory of mate relationships of several American cultures and two non-American cultures. The theory is summarized in seven basic propositions, several of which have been previously tested and supported. The research contained here expands the depth of the work by examining attributes and levels of mateship in several American co-cultures, one Caribbean culture, and one Asian culture, and extends the breadth of the work by moving into the areas of relational quality, maintenance, and conflict.Seven propositions presented are 1) perceived self-concept support is the basis of interpersonal attraction; 2) different types of perceived self-concept support are the basis for different types of interpersonal relationships; 3) different types of self-concept support are the basis for entry into and increasing intensity of interpersonal relationships; 4) the type and form of self-concept support is homogeneous by culture; 5) conflict which threatens self-concept support on crucial relationship variables-the lack of it or attacks on it-is the most potentially dangerous type of conflict in interpersonal relationships; 6) negotiation of differences in perceptions of self-concept support on crucial relationship variables cements interpersonal relationships; and 7) quality interpersonal relationships consist of intimacy, personal growth, and effective communication on the crucial relationship variables.

Understanding Organization Through Culture and Structure: Relational and Other Lessons From the African American Organization presents an innovative view of organizations and the communication processes that constitute them. Arguing that human beings are communicatively embedded in their cultures, Anne Maydan Nicotera and Marcia J. Clinkscales, working with Felicia R. Walker, examine issues concerning task and relational orientations and the ways they and other cultural dimensions connect with organizational structure and function for predominantly African American organizations. Utilizing the results of their own research on organizations, they develop a set of humanistically-based models that illustrate how hidden cultural processes suffuse organizational life and are manifest through communication.Emphasizing the development of alternative theories and models of organizing which are rooted in African-American culture, such as team-based versus hierarchy-based interactions, this book explores such organizational functions as leadership and management, power, authority and control, communication and interpersonal dynamics, and cultural identity and human development. Applying their findings in a broader analysis of contemporary practices in organizational restructuring, the authors present research that serves as the foundation for generating several emergent models with significant implications for organizational systems.Understanding Organization Through Culture and Structure stimulates and inspires current researchers of organizational communication, and is certain to raise greater awareness of the operation of culture in organizing. The text is intended for scholars and students in organizational communication, management, organizational psychology, African studies, and related areas.