Year: 2007
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Implicit in fundamental theories of organization regarding issues of change, adaptation, \nand learning is the acknowledgement of a present-future duality with which \norganizational members must come to terms. This duality refers to organizational \nmembers’ need to function in the present while preparing for the future. Five aspects of \nthis duality highlight its importance as a focus of study for scholars of communication, \norganizations, and groups: a) it is pervasive, b) communication makes a difference in \nhow the duality is managed, c) managing the duality can lead to unintended \nconsequences, d) its costs and benefits are unevenly distributed across organizational \nmembers, and e) a focus on the future does not necessarily prepare organizational \nmembers for the future because they are not able to predict the specific ways in which the \nfuture might be different from the present (Huber, 2004). Members cope with the \npresent-future duality through communication practices designed to help them adapt to \ntheir future environment (Brown & Eisenhardt, 1997). This dissertation explores how \nclock-based conceptions of time—time as “linear and uniform in its flow, existing \nindependent of objects and events” (Lee & Liebenau, 1999, p. 1038)—relate to \ncommunication practices that are linked to the continuous flow of time and not to \nparticular events (Brown & Eisenhardt, 1997). Research suggests that three such \npractices proactive information sharing, using real-time information, and employing \ncollective reflexivity reduce delays in organizational adaptation. These relationships \nwere examined through two studies. The pilot study included 58 respondents from a high \ntechnology organization in the Southwest United States. The second study included 186 \nrespondents from a public transportation organization in the Southwest US. Contrary to \nthe proposed framework, conceptions of time were not related to the three \ncommunication practices. However, a future focus was positively related to all three \ncommunication practices, exploration and communication adequacy.
Author: Luis Felipe Gómez
Language: English
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W1847991071