Business Communication Quarterly recent issues

"It Actually Made Me Think": Problem-Based Learning in the Business Communications Classroom

Pennell, M., Miles, L. — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 10:26:58 PST

We advocate for problem-based learning (PBL) as a rhetorical pedagogy for business communication. Briefly put, classic PBL inverts the typical instructional sequence; rather than presenting concepts first and then asking students to apply them, PBL creates situations in which students must learn the concepts in order to solve a "problem" constructed for that purpose. Thus, students learn in an iterative process as they cycle through the three key questions: "What do we know?" "What do we need to know?" and "How will we learn it?" We advocate emphasizing three key elements inherent in classic PBL: rhetoricity, locality, and change.

The Status of the Business Communication Course at U.S. Colleges and Universities

Russ, T. L. — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 10:26:58 PST

This study examines the current status of the introductory business communication course at colleges and universities across the United States. Using data collected during the spring of 2008 from a national sample of 505 instructors, this study reveals a number of pedagogical and programmatic insights about (1) major course sponsors; (2) academic levels at which the course is taught; (3) instructors’ ideal and actual class sizes; (4) use of distance learning; (5) content coverage; and (6) required learning assignments. Findings from this study are compared with results from previous audits. Future research ideas as well as implications for business communication education are presented.

The Graphic Novel: a "Cool" Format for Communicating to Generation Y

Short, J. C., Reeves, T. C. — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 10:26:58 PST

The graphic novel provides an attractive medium to communicate business concepts with a number of characteristics that may aid student learning in a more effective manner than traditional textbooks. The authors provide an overview of the graphic novel format and use McLuhan’s research on "hot" versus "cool" media as a theoretical base that highlights how and why this format can be a useful tool to present management content relevant for the current generation of business students. The authors provide examples of how the graphic novel medium could be applied to business concepts and conclude with an agenda for future empirical research.

"Piggybacking" on Business Communication Through Interdisciplinarity: Developing Student Communication Skills in Legal Environment of Business Courses

Cooley, A. H. — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 10:26:58 PST

My Favorite Assignment: Selections From the ABC 2008 Annual Convention, Lake Tahoe, Nevada

Whalen, D. J. — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 10:26:58 PST

Review: Coaching in Organizations: Best Coaching Practices From the Ken Blanchard Companies: Madeleine Homan and Linda J. Miller. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons, 2008, 238 pages

Barclay, L. A. — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 10:26:59 PST

Truth: the New Rules for Marketing in a Skeptical World: Lynn Upshaw. New York: AMACOM, 2007, 279 pages

Okoro, E. — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 10:26:59 PST

Guidelines for Special Issues of the Journal of Business Communication and Business Communication Quarterly

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 10:26:59 PST

2010 Conference Calendar

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 10:26:59 PST

Trends in Industry Supervisors' Feedback On Business Communication Internships

Sapp, D. A., Zhang, Q. — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 11:54:22 PDT

The purpose of this empirical study is to explore expectations of industry insiders and identify how student interns are performing in relation to those expectations as defined by 11 performance areas. The results of a survey of 238 industry supervisors were collected over a 5-year period in the departments of English and communication at a private university in the Northeast. While the results suggest that student interns tend to meet their supervisors’ expectations in many areas, performance categories such as initiative, writing skills, and oral communication skills require increased attention in the ways we prepare students for their internships and post-graduation employment and, perhaps, the ways we help onsite supervisors develop expectations for and evaluate our interns.

Practitioners' Views About the Use of Business Email Within Organizational Settings: Implications for Developing Student Generic Competence

Zhu, Y., White, C. — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 11:54:22 PDT

Although extensive research has been done on teaching emails and on the use of emails in organisations, little research exists about how to incorporate organizational practitioners’ views as the voices of the community of social practice. To remedy this pedagogical gap, this article uses a genre approach to discuss organizational practitioners’ views on the use of email in organizational settings. It also develops seven teaching and learning stages for situated learning and teaching in business communication based upon the presented study findings.

Rethinking Job References: a Networking Challenge

Muir, C. — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 11:54:22 PDT

Best Practices in Preparing Students for Mock Interviews

Hansen, K., Oliphant, G. C., Oliphant, B. J., Hansen, R. S. — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 11:54:22 PDT

Management Consulting and Teaching: Lessons Learned

Dyrud, M. A. — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 11:54:22 PDT

Consulting By Business College Academics: Lessons for Business Communication Courses

Dave, A. — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 11:54:22 PDT

Management Consulting and Teaching: Lessons Learned Teaching Professionals To Control Tone in Writing

Jameson, D. A. — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 11:54:22 PDT

Use of Uncertainty Reduction and Narrative Paradigm Theories in Management Consulting and Teaching: Lessons Learned

Barker, R. T., Gower, K. — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 11:54:22 PDT

Consulting On Negotiation: Teaching Business Students Basic Techniques

Layng, J. M. — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 11:54:22 PDT

Networking: a Key To Career Communication and Management Consulting Success

Clark, T. — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 11:54:22 PDT

The Communicative Functions of Business Attire

DeKay, S. H. — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 11:54:22 PDT

Recent Trends in Business Casual Attire and Their Effects On Student Job Seekers

Kiddie, T. — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 11:54:22 PDT

Professional Characteristics Communicated By Formal Versus Casual Workplace Attire

Cardon, P. W., Okoro, E. A. — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 11:54:22 PDT

Dress Codes in Post-Apartheid South African Workplaces

Grant, T., Nodoba, G. — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 11:54:22 PDT

Lessons From Ugly Betty: Business Attire as a Conformity Strategy

Burgess-Wilkerson, B., Thomas, J. B. — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 11:54:22 PDT

The Semiotic Function of Clothing and Gender Roles On Broadcast Business News

Tan, S., Owyong Yuet See, M. — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 11:54:22 PDT

Business Communication Quarterly

Tue, 05 May 2009 12:53:56 PDT

Do Business Communication Technology Tools Meet Learner Needs?

DuFrene, D. D., Lehman, C. M., Kellermanns, F. W., Pearson, R. A. — Tue, 05 May 2009 12:53:56 PDT

While institutions of higher education are enthusiastically embracing technology-mediated learning (TML), little research has been conducted to identify factors that influence student use of TML tools or determine whether use of them increases student learning. This study of business communication students at two universities found that (1) students tend to be sensing, visual, active, and sequential learners; (2) perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use of TML tools are positively associated with perceived learning success; (3) learning styles do influence the students' usage behavior of certain TML tools; and (4) students' sensing/intuitive learning style is related to their perceived learning success.

Employer Preferences for Resumes and Cover Letters

Schullery, N. M., Ickes, L., Schullery, S. E. — Tue, 05 May 2009 12:53:56 PDT

This article reports the results of a survey of employers' preferences for résumé style, résumé delivery method, and cover letters. Employers still widely prefer the standard chronological résumé, with only 3% desiring a scannable résumé. The vast majority of employers prefer electronic delivery, either by email (46%) or at the company's Web site (38%), with only 7% preferring a paper copy. Cover letters are preferred by a majority (56%). Preferences regarding résumé style and cover letters were independent of national (USA) vs. multinational geographic range, company size, type of industry, or respondent's job function. Smaller companies prefer résumé delivery by email, and human resources workers prefer delivery using the company's Web site.

Structuring a Competency-Based Accounting Communication Course At the Graduate Level

Sharifi, M., McCombs, G. B., Fraser, L. L., McCabe, R. K. — Tue, 05 May 2009 12:53:56 PDT

The authors describe a graduate capstone accounting class as a basis for building communication skills desired by both accounting practitioners and accounting faculty. An academic service-learning (ASL) component is included. Adopted as a required class for a master of science degree in accounting at two universities, this course supports accounting accreditation. Surveys offer evidence that both accounting practitioners and faculty rate, in slightly different order, the three most important skills as written communication, oral communication, and analytical/critical thinking. Accounting curricula worldwide are under pressure to develop better skills in these areas as well as to meet assessment and accreditation directives and criteria. The authors designed a communication course utilizing ASL that not only meets all of the above objectives but also provides the student with hands-on experiential learning. Information about this course provides a guide to accounting and business faculty who may wish to pursue such an approach in their schools.

Writing for Business: a Graduate-Level Course in Problem-Solving

Seifert, C. — Tue, 05 May 2009 12:53:56 PDT

Managing Student Teams, Part Ii

Worley, R. B. — Tue, 05 May 2009 12:53:56 PDT

What's tHe Right Answer? Team Problem-Solving in Environments of Uncertainty

Jameson, D. A. — Tue, 05 May 2009 12:53:56 PDT

Incorporating Reflective Practice Into Team Simulation Projects for Improved Learning Outcomes

Wills, K. V., Clerkin, T. A. — Tue, 05 May 2009 12:53:56 PDT

Team Virtual Discussion Board: Toward Multipurpose Written Assignments

Barker, R. T., Stowers, R. H. — Tue, 05 May 2009 12:53:56 PDT

The Team Boat Exercise: Enhancing Team Communication Midsemester

Cox, P. L., Friedman, B. A. — Tue, 05 May 2009 12:53:56 PDT

Outstanding Doctoral Dissertation Award for 2008

Ryan, C. — Tue, 05 May 2009 12:53:56 PDT

The Rhetorical Helix of the Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Industries: Strategies of Transformation Through Definition, Description and Ingratiation

Gretton, L. B. — Tue, 05 May 2009 12:53:56 PDT

Reviews: NET WORK: A PRACTICAL GUIDE TO CREATING AND SUSTAINING NETWORKS AT WORK AND IN THE WORLD Patti Anklam. Burlington, MA: Butterworth-Heinemann, 2007, 288 pages

Lai, C.-H. — Tue, 05 May 2009 12:53:56 PDT

Reviews: MAKE YOUR CONTACTS COUNT: NETWORKING KNOW-HOW FOR BUSINESS AND CAREER SUCCESS Anne Baber and Lynne Waymon. New York: American Management Association, 2007, 255 pages

Layng, J. — Tue, 05 May 2009 12:53:56 PDT

Reviews: MEDIATION: SIX WAYS IN SEVEN DAYS--SPECIAL PART OF THE MEDIATION PROCESS Hans Boserup. Copenhagen, Denmark: DJOEF Publishing, 2007, 263 pages

O'Rourke, J. — Tue, 05 May 2009 12:53:56 PDT

Reviews: THE IMAGINATION CHALLENGE: STRATEGIC FORESIGHT AND INNOVATION IN THE GLOBAL ECONOMY Alexander Manu. Berkeley, CA: New Riders, 2007, 262 pages

Barclay, L. A. — Tue, 05 May 2009 12:53:56 PDT

Reviews: BUSINESS AND ADMINISTRATIVE COMMUNICATION (8TH ED.) Kitty O. Locker & Donna Kienzler. New York: McGraw-Hill/Ir win, 2008, 664 pages

Toth, C. — Tue, 05 May 2009 12:53:56 PDT

Teaching Professional Writing To American Students in a Study Abroad Program

Andrews, D. C., Henze, B. — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 10:43:06 PST

Studying abroad enhances the intercultural competencies of American students, but that enhancement strategy may be seen as an obstacle to those in business and technical fields who follow a tight curriculum and work to cover expenses. To meet their needs, U.S. professional communication faculty are designing short courses that can be delivered abroad during between-term periods and that foster an understanding of the situations and genres of the field within a context of cultural dislocation. Based on the courses described in this article, the best approach is to settle students in one location rather than touring; keep student numbers low by an entrepreneurial approach to keeping costs low; encourage students to live as the locals do, in apartments rather than hotels; explicitly plan appropriate access to technology; use class time to provide structure and reflection, but allow free time for collateral learning; and make sure the course grows local roots.

Students Advise Fortune 500 Company: Designing a Problem-Based Learning Community

Brzovic, K., Matz, S. I. — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 10:43:06 PST

This article describes the process of planning and implementing a problem-based learning community. Business and communication students from a large university in the Western United States competed in teams to solve an authentic business problem posed by a Fortune 500 company. The company's willingness to adopt some of their recommendations testified to the professional quality of their final product. This experience gave students an opportunity to apply communication concepts to a business problem. They learned how to make vital connections between theory and practice and between shared knowledge and shared knowing. In the process, students grew personally and professionally.

Writing for the Robot: How Employer Search Tools Have Influenced Resume Rhetoric and Ethics

Amare, N., Manning, A. — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 10:43:06 PST

To date, business communication scholars and textbook writers have encouraged résumé rhetoric that accommodates technology, for example, recommending keyword-enhancing techniques to attract the attention of searchbots: customized search engines that allow companies to automatically scan résumés for relevant keywords. However, few scholars have discussed the ethical implications of adjusting résumé keywords for the sole purpose of increasing searchbot hits. As the résumé genre has evolved over the past century, strategies of résumé "padding" have likewise evolved, at each stage violating one of four maxims of the Cooperative Principle. Direct factual misrepresentation violates the maxim of quality and is of course discouraged, but résumé writers have turned in succession to violations of manner (formatting tricks) and then more recently to violations of quantity and/or relevance with deceptive keywording techniques. The authors conclude by suggesting several techniques to business communication instructors that may encourage students to create more ethically sound résumés.

Merck's Open Letters and the Teaching of Ethos

Griffin, F. — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 10:43:06 PST

In fall 2004, Merck faced a significant threat to the company's public image because of the withdrawal of VIOXX, and Merck executives were forced to defend the company's actions, its motivation for those actions, and its reputation. Confronted with enormous rhetorical challenges, Merck tried to generate public goodwill toward the company by creating a personalized image of a corporate giant worthy of understanding, sympathy, and trust. Open letters released during the initial response to the VIOXX crisis rely on the intimacy of interpersonal communication and demonstrate to students of business communication arguments based on ethos. The syntax and diction of these documents are analyzed to demonstrate how they create a secondary narrative of Merck's good sense, good moral character, and goodwill. Finally, the study presents apparently contradictory narratives of this pharmaceutical giant's responsibility, narratives that summarize the arguments in the VIOXX litigation. Analysis of Merck's open letters underscores the relevance of many concepts covered in the business communications classroom.

Managing Student Teams, Part I

Worley, R. B. — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 10:43:06 PST

Teaching Teams About Teamwork: Preparation, Practice, and Performance Review

Gueldenzoph Snyder, L. — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 10:43:06 PST

Designing a Successful Group-Report Experience

Rentz, K., Arduser, L., Meloncon, L., Debs, M. B. — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 10:43:06 PST

Facilitating Teamwork With Lean Six Sigma and Web-Based Technology

Krause, T. — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 10:43:06 PST

Team-Building Success: It's in tHe Cards

Scarfino, D., Roever, C. — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 10:43:06 PST

Online Social Networks

Cardon, P. W. — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 10:43:06 PST

No Place to Play: Current Employee Privacy Rights in Social Networking Sites

Genova, G. L. — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 10:43:06 PST

Are Business-Oriented Social Networking Web Sites Useful Resources for Locating Passive Jobseekers? Results of a Recent Study

DeKay, S. — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 10:43:06 PST

An Exploratory Study of Indian University Students' Use of Social Networking Web Sites: Implications for the Workplace

Agarwal, S., Mital, M. — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 10:43:06 PST

Social Networking Web Sites and Human Resource Personnel: Suggestions for Job Searches

Roberts, S. J., Roach, T. — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 10:43:06 PST

Enterprise Networking Web Sites and Organizational Communication in Australia

Zhang, A. M., Zhu, Y., Hildebrandt, H. — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 10:43:06 PST

Reviews: DISCURSIVE LEADERSHIP: IN CONVERSATION WITH LEADERSHIP PSYCHOLOGY Gail T. Fairhurst. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications, 2007, 256 pages

Barclay, L. A. — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 10:43:06 PST

Reviews: COMMUNICATING EFFECTIVELY WITH THE CHINESE Ge Gao and Stella Ting-Toomey. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage, 1998, 119 pages

Zhang, H. — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 10:43:06 PST

Reviews: MADE TO STICK: WHY SOME IDEAS SURVIVE AND OTHERS DIE Chip Heath and Dan Heath. New York: Random House, 2007, 291 pages

Barclay, L. A. — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 10:43:06 PST

Reviews: UNDERSTANDING ACTION LEARNING Judy O'Neill and Victoria J. Marsick. The Adult Learning Theory and Practice Book Series. New York: AMACOM, 2007, xxvi + 230 pages

Goby, V. P. — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 10:43:06 PST

Reviews: COMMUNICATING IN GLOBAL BUSINESS NEGOTIATIONS: A GEOCENTRIC APPROACH Jill E. Rudd and Diana R. Lawson. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications, 2007, 288 pages

Campeau, L. — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 10:43:06 PST

2009 Conference Calendar

Tue, 03 Feb 2009 10:43:06 PST