• PAGE ONE
• INDEX
• HOME

A telling treatise

*Rethinking Organisational and Managerial Communication from Feminist Perspectives

Edited by Patrice M. Buzzanell

Publishers: Sage

Price: $ 25.95 (Paper)

TO restructure the specialised line of communication at organisational and managerial levels is, by itself, a microcosm and to further splinter and polish it down in terms of gender perceptions is no mean task. The task is justified and timely as, in cer tain areas, a novel approach is needed to make communication effective. And the deterrents are not just incidental but need skilful handling. The gender question becomes pertinent in the context of certain subjective areas like socialisation, ethics and negotiations.

Spurred by a need for a more holistic understanding of specific areas within corporate communication from the feminist viewpoint, Rethinking Organisational and Managerial Communication from Feminist Perspectives is a structured set of writings on the var ious aspects of that restriction. The writings project a new approach to communication in terms of theory, research and practice. Deftly edited by Patrice M. Buzzanell, this well-researched volume which has been subjected to repeated reassessment by rese archers and professionals alike, offers a counterpoint to the general, repeated and ordinary-approach communication. This book intends to rejunevate the subject through alternate approaches, insights, practices and research programmes.

The object of the exercise is not to harp on women's issues but accentuate on the exclusion of concern in the approach of not just women but also the underprivileged and under-represented groups. Driven by the objective of achieving greater equality, dig nity, concern and justice between all sections of society, the books selects areas where such aspirations can be synchronised with ground realities. All the contributors are equivocal in their desire to suffuse issues such as sex and gender, race and eth nicity, class and sexual-social orientation, and the exposure of invisible gender biases, which have largely been excluded from traditional managerial and organisational communication.

Second, all of them have uniformly formulated their analyses in processes rather than pecking at them singly. Not only do they make a significant contribution to knowledge and practice but also offer prescriptions for the modus operandi of change.

Third, the authors cohesively agree that communication is a fundamental organising process essential to everyday living. Organisations are not seen as separate entities but as melting pots for the different aspects of work and family, organisation and en vironment, institution and industry, and public and private entities.

The contributions have a sense of continuity and a spirit of dynamism. They vary in style but each stimulates counter-thoughts and dialogues on the concerns at hand. There is a uniform absence of comprehensive analysis, but, at the same time, the writing s initiate inquiry into organisational ambiguities.

Especially aimed at the research and teaching professions, each chapter begins with an overview of the existing literature and thinking on the subject and goes on to the proposed proponent. This combination of maintenance and alternative thinking enables one to revisit issues and examine changes in scholarship and practice. It offers feminist analysis and initiates change proposals.

The book does not claim to offer a comprehensive or complete overview. It takes in hand some of the major issues and provides that with a radical, non-conformist, indepth and, where necessary, feminist treatment.

Focussing attention on feminist approaches to some of the organisational communication issues, the book contributes significantly to the ongoing dialogue about reframing communication to better incorporate diverse inputs and contributors to the organisat ion. The book aims at providing additional feminist organisational communication patterns by focussing on specific topics and providing a framework and analysis therein. It aims not at ``dismantling the past but to augment the rich scholarly tradition'' of the discipline.

Divided into three parts, each section progresses from theoretical analysis of re-conceptualisation to the incorporation of concrete remedies and the reconstruction and correction of injustice. Each chapter is a self-contained feminist analysis of some a spect of organisational life.

Part I, `Confronting Our Past' discusses themes of binary opposition, exclusions, contradictions and power in communication. It also provides an alternative view of public-private discourse, State-holder ethics, socialisation processes and negotiation by contrasting traditionalist views with feminist values.

In chapter 1, Dennis K. Mumby returns to the foundations, contrasting traditional concepts with individual rhetoric and identity. He proposes that the critical-feminist approach to expound low the relationship between public and private discourse is arti culated biasedly which procedures power imbalances and creates opportunity for resistances and transformation.

Tanni Haas and Stanley Doetz examine the conditions for participatory exchange. In Chapter 2, they visualise that multiple State-holder models can address the complexities of varied political interests seeking representation in internal corporate decisio n-making.

Connie Bullis and Karen Rohrbanch Stout in Chapter 3 theorise ways to include the marginalised voices in the industry. They also demonstrate the efficacy of the feminist organisational and managerial skills in enlarging the traditional opportunities.

In Chapter 4, Linda L. Putman and Deborah M. Kolb advocate the alternative approach to negotiation and bargaining as they stand now. This, keeping in view the psychology, needs and dimensions of the feminist process which besides being in the existing co nstructive format, is also mutually understanding and is reflective of trust and empathy. Part II, `Rethinking Present Process', presents the woman's viewpoint on the missing links in the organisational and managerial communication field. They project gu idelines for further study and research and bring the feminist analysis closer to the microscope.

Angela Tretheway, in Chapter 5, links the development of sophisticated control mechanisms with the ways in which women's bodies are disciplined by themselves and others. She deftly illustrates the point that a constructive approach to the female identifi cation could lead to a change in communication skills.

Marlene G. Fine and Patrice M. Buzzanell use the feminist analysis to contextualise leadership, administrative and managerial exposes and, in the process, highlight the gamut of deficiencies in both the traditional and administrative aspects of leadershi p.

Marifram Mattson, Robin Patric Clair, Pemela A. Chapman Sunger and Adrianne Dennis Kunhd draw attention to the need for reframing the meaning, import and impact of stress in everyday lives. They collectively show how the traditional approach does not nec essarily reflect the woman's reaction to stress. They use the time-tested method of storytelling, of narratives and poems to emphasise their proponents.

Part III, `Authoring Our Future', offers alternative reconceptualisations, suggests specific tactics and frames long-term strategies to revise organisational and managerial communication in the framework of feminist constructs. It also exposes the limita tion of the present-day working pattern, the exclusionary thinking both in micro-practices and macro-structures. This section explicitly vouches for the radical and essential transformation of daily practices and organisational policy.

Brenda Allen, in Chapter 8, offers a personalised account of socialising patterns within the organisation. She weaves theory, research and practice with reflection in this context and offers suggestions for effective interaction with members of the tradi tionally marginalised and less-exposed entrants in the organisation. She recommends a pro-active stand to these acolytes, advising prioritisation, a support network to resist complicity and moves towards disempowerment. It is a self-protective agenda whi ch can be holistically effective.

Patrice M. Buzzanell, in Chapter 9, focuses on macro-level concerns, challenges the ethics of career forms, related social and psychological contracts and exposes the loopholes in traditionalist methods... of course, from the feminist analysis. Cindy Ren ther and Gail T. Fairhurst, in Chapter 10, expound on how a system's inherent order may perpetuate gender/race biases. The authors advocate unlearning, deconstruction and reorganisation to initiate change at micro-levels that ultimately affect macro-effo rts.

This interesting, revolutionary, thought-provoking compilation does not end here. The book rounds up on an ongoing note. Feminist concerns are positioned within the framework of feminist discussions, and avenues of further empowerment, intensive self-ass urance and empathic understanding are opened up for further enhancement.

This compilation is meant to be an eye-opener, not a final point. It sets the ball rolling on the hugely pertinent, largely ignored and significantly marginalised factor of marginalised communities in the organisation. The reconstruction may be from the angle of multiple feminisms but the impact is holistic. Theorists may find it radical but this treatise is telling, it is topical and expounds a technique that may be futuristic yet relevant and contemporary.

Dhanalakshmi Ayyer