A Model for Electronic Linkage of Organizational Communication in Large High Schools

Abstract

The problem. The problem of this study was to investigate the organizational communication models of large high schools. The purpose was to develop a model for electronic linkage of organizational communication in large high schools. Procedure. A thorough review of the literature in 1) management and educational administrative theory, 2) educational administrative communication theory, and 3) organizational communication theory, was conducted in order to determine what administrative communication or organizational communication models existed for use by practicing educational administrators of large high schools (defined as schools with enrollments with 1000 or more students). Since no adequate models were found, the relatively new field of Organizational Communication was studied for the purpose of finding models in management that could be adapted for use in the educational setting. Using information, models, and ideas from the Organizational Communication field, the Model for Electronic Linkage of Organizational Communication in Large High Schools (ELOC Model) was developed. Findings. The ELOC Model uses the physical linkage of computer networking as its' basis for completing organizational communication. Schools have daily repetitive communication events such as attendance, grading, scheduling, discipline, and announcements which the model addressed. Since each teacher acts as a middle manager in large high schools, the computer linkage allows communication to and between any staff member and the administration. Other organizational communication uses or functions are: 1) organizational functions such as curriculum, testing, activities, budget, and personnel uses; 2) communication both formally and informally; 3) human input of information for the organizations goals. The ELOC Model also addressed twelve organizational communication problems prevalent in most organizations, showing how it could eliminate each of the twelve. Conclusions and Recommendations. The ELOC Model has promise as a means of solving the organizational communication needs of large high schools. The model must be implemented and evaluated before any conclusions can be drawn. However, large high schools are large organizations and as such must move from the bureaucratic age to the information age. The Model for Electronic Linkage of Organizational Communication in Large High Schools is a total environment organizational communication model adapted to the struLture and needs of large high schools and can be continually expanded as technology expands our environments and communication capabilities.