Gossip in the Workplace
Capstone Assignment
Gossip in the Workplace
Lotta Weigeldt
Table of Contents
1. Introduction...........................................................................................................p. 3 2. Literature Review on Gossip.................................................................................p. 3 2.1 Definition of Gossip................................................................................p. 4 2.2 Communication Models…......................................................................p. 4 2.3 Gossip and Power....................................................................................p. 5 2.4 Gossip and Control……………………………………………………..p. 7 3. Literature Review on Learning in Organizations..................................................p. 9 3.1 Literature Review on Learning in Organizations....................................p. 9 3.2 Informal Learning and Story-telling........................................................p. 9 4. Gossip as Learning Tool in Organizations..........................................................p. 10 8. Conclusion...........................................................................................................p. 12 9. References...........................................................................................................p. 13
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1. Introduction Gossip is a way of informal communication which can be found in every situation of our lives. Conscious or subconsciously, active or passive, every individual is involved in gossiping. We read gossip in newspapers and magazines, watch news fed by gossip, engage in gossip in our private as well as in our professional life. Gossip affects the way our human society works. At work, it can be a very influential factor of the working environment. Nevertheless, little has been researched and written about this topic. Infinite amounts of researches have been conducted in order to understand organizations, how
Lotta Weigeldt
Table of Contents
1. Introduction...........................................................................................................p. 3 2. Literature Review on Gossip.................................................................................p. 3 2.1 Definition of Gossip................................................................................p. 4 2.2 Communication Models…......................................................................p. 4 2.3 Gossip and Power....................................................................................p. 5 2.4 Gossip and Control……………………………………………………..p. 7 3. Literature Review on Learning in Organizations..................................................p. 9 3.1 Literature Review on Learning in Organizations....................................p. 9 3.2 Informal Learning and Story-telling........................................................p. 9 4. Gossip as Learning Tool in Organizations..........................................................p. 10 8. Conclusion...........................................................................................................p. 12 9. References...........................................................................................................p. 13
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1. Introduction Gossip is a way of informal communication which can be found in every situation of our lives. Conscious or subconsciously, active or passive, every individual is involved in gossiping. We read gossip in newspapers and magazines, watch news fed by gossip, engage in gossip in our private as well as in our professional life. Gossip affects the way our human society works. At work, it can be a very influential factor of the working environment. Nevertheless, little has been researched and written about this topic. Infinite amounts of researches have been conducted in order to understand organizations, how
References: Argote, L., Gruenfeld, D., & Naquin, L. (1999). Group learning in organizations. In M.E. Turner (Ed.), Groups at work: Advances in theory and research. New York: Erlbaum Baumeister, R. F., Zhang, L., &Vohs, K. D. (2004). Gossip as Cultural Learning. Review of General Psychology, 8 (2), 111.121. Boud, D., & Middleton, H. (2003). Learning from others at work: communities of practice and informal learning. Journal of Workplace Learning, 15(5), 194-202. Brown, J. S., & Duguid, P. (1991). Organizational learning and communities-ofpractice: toward a unified view of working, learning, and innovation. Organization Science, 2(1), 40-57. De Grip, A., van Loo, J., & Sanders,J. (2004). The Industry Employability Index: Taking Account of Supply and Demand Characteristics. International Labour Review, 143 (3), 211-233. Eraut, M. (2000). Non-formal learning and tacit knowledge in professional work. British Journal of Educational Psychology, 70, 113-136. Gabriel, Yiannis (1995). The unmanaged organization: stories, fantasies and subjectivity, Organization Studies, 16: 477-501. Hafen, S. (2005). Workplace Gossip: It’s not all bad. Retrieved from the World Wide Web on the 10th of June from www.management.co.nz. Kurland, Nancy B. and Lisa Hope Peled (2000). Passing the word: Toward a model of gossip and power in the workplace. The Academy of Management Review, 25: 428-440. Lazega, Emmanuel (2000). Rule enforcement among peers: a lateral control regime. Organization Studies, 21: 193-214. 13 Michelson, G., & Mouly, V. S. (2002). ‘You Didn’t Hear it From Us But...’: Toward an Understanding of Rumor and Gossip in Organizations. Australian Journal of Management, 27. Noon, Mike and Rick Delbridge (1993), News from behind my hand: gossip in organizations. Organization Studies, 14: 22-36. 14