Hope

JOURNAL OF EDUCATION FOR BUSINESS, 87: 230–240, 2012
Copyright C Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
ISSN: 0883-2323 print / 1940-3356 online
DOI: 10.1080/08832323.2011.608388

Communication in a Changing World: Contemporary
Perspectives on Business Communication
Competence
Jennifer Waldeck, Cathryn Durante, Briana Helmuth, and Brandon Marcia
Downloaded by [EP- IPSWICH], [Amanda Levy] at 07:20 15 November 2013

Chapman University, Orange, California, USA

Communication in and around business organizations has changed due to new technologies, the demand for intercultural communication skills, the changing person–organization relationship, and the global nature of organizing. As a result, new communication competencies may be required. The author’s objective was to identify specific communication competencies important in the contemporary business and professional environment. Toward that objective, articles referring to communication from best-selling popular press and practitioner-oriented business periodicals were used as artifacts for a content analysis. Six inductively derived competencies represent a mix of traditional and contemporary communication skills. The influence of collaborative communication and global interconnectivity permeated each theme.
Furthermore, the competencies reveal the necessity of a skill set that transcends typical disciplinary divisions—encompassing technology, intergroup relations, nonverbal and chronemic awareness, relational competence, and more. These competencies should be of interest to communication educators and trainers as they design curriculum and training plans for a contemporary audience.
Keywords: business communication, communication, communication competence, technology, workplace relationships

Scholars, corporate recruiters and managers, research firms, and business writers have argued for years that the ability to communicate effectively is a leading factor in professional success. Communication

References: Albrecht, T. L., & Burleson, B. B. (1992). Meaning and method in the study of communication and social support Alexander, S. (2008, February 22). Communication for managers 101. ASTD. (2009). Bridging the skills gap: New factors compound the growing skills shortage. Alexandria, VA: American Society for Training and Development. Atkinson, C. (2005). Beyond bullet points: Using Microsoft PowerPoint to create messages that inform, motivate, and inspire Ayres, I., & Nalebuff, B. (2007, March 12). For the love of the game. Forbes, 179(5), 54. Ballard, D. I., & Gossett, L. M. (2007). Alternative times: Temporal perceptions, processes, and practices defining the nonstandard work relationship. Ballard, D. I., & Seibold, D. R. (2006). The experience of time at work: Relationship to communication load, job satisfaction, and interdepartmental communication Berelson, B. (1952). Content analysis in communication research. Glencoe, IL: Free Press. Berfield, S. (2007, September 17). Bridging the generation gap: Employment agency Randstad teams newbies with older staff to great effect Week, 4050, 60–61. Buchanan, L. (2006). The office. Inc, 28(4), 160–161. Burleson, B. B., Holmstrom, A. J., & Gilstrap, C. M. (2005). “Guys can’t say that to guys”: Four experiments assessing the normative motivation Campanelli, M. (2005). Minority rules. Entrepreneur, 33(5), 48–50. Casciaro, T., & Lobo, M. S. (2007). Competent jerks, lovable fools, and the formation of social networks Chafkin, M. (2007). That’s not funny, that’s actionable. Inc, 29(8), 93. Clement, B. (2001, November 5). Help wanted: Workforce development and the new economy Cyphert, D. (2007). Presentation technology in the age of electronic eloquence: From visual aid to visual rhetoric. Communication Education, 56, 168–192. Dahl, D. (2006). The end of e-mail. Inc, 28(2), 41–42. Daniel, L. (2005). On the job development. HR Magazine, 50(7), 91–96. Danigelis, A. (2006, May). Like, um, you know. Fast Company, 105, 99. Davies, G, & Chun, R. (2007). To thine own staff be agreeable. Harvard Business Review, 86(6), 30–32. DeLonzor, D. (2005). Running late. HR Magazine, 50(11), 109–112. Diener, M (2005a). Shark repellant: Keep bullies at bay with these negotiating tips. Entrepreneur, 33(8), 77. Diener, M. (2005b). Great debate: How to disagree without being disagreeable. Entrepreneur, 33(11), 102. Diener, M. (2007). Talk the talk. Entrepreneur, 35(8), 68. Dolezalek, H. (2006). The state of e-learning. Training, 43(10), 39–40. Dougherty, C. (2008, August 14). Whites to lose majority status by 2042. Du-Babcock, B. (2006). Teaching business communication: Past, present, and future Duboff, R. S. (2007). The wisdom of (expert) crowds. Harvard Business Review, 85(9), 28. Education. (2005). Inc, 27(11), 147–148. Erickson, T. J., & Gratton, L. (2007). What it means to work here. Harvard Business Review, 85(2), 72–83. Farber, B. (2005). Right on target: Hit the mark with prospective customers by learning how to find their hot buttons Farber, B. (2007). Listen and learn. Entrepreneur, 35(2), 76–77. Fell, J. (2010). Battered business magazines look to a bounce back. Retrieved from http://www.foliomag.com/2010/battered-business-magazines-lookbounce-back Fine, J. (2007, September 17). O.K. (Sigh), I’ll join Facebook. Business Week, 4050, 24. Fraze, M. (2007). Show all employees a wider world. HR Magazine, 52(6), 98–102. Fun. (2007). Inc, 29(8), 84. Gnamm, J., & Neuhaus, K. (2005). Leading from the factory floor. Harvard Business Review, 83(11), 22. Gordon, J. (2006). Seven revelations about e-learning. Training, 43(4), 28–31. Grischke, M. (2005, December 13). Bowing to tradition. Forbes, 176, 85. Gurchiek, K. (2006). Techno-Addicts problem for employers. HR Magazine, 51(11), 38. Harris, P. (2007). Flexible work policies mean business. T+D, 61(4), 32–36. Hartley, D. (2006). Beyond the virtual meeting. T+D, 60(9), 22–23. Hasson, R. (2007). How to resolve board disputes more effectively. MIT Sloan Management Review, 48(1), 77–80. Henricks, M. (2005a). Falling behind: Has dependence on tech made us less productive? Entrepreneur, 33(2), 19–20. Henricks, M. (2005b). Como se dice?: Break down the language barrier between you and your employees Henricks, M. (2007). Pen to paper. Entrepreneur, 35(7), 85–86. Hoge, S. K. (2007, October 8). My 60 hour work week. Forbes, 180(27), 86–93. International Communication Association. (2010). Intergroup communication description. Retrieved from http://www.icahdq.org/sections/ secdetinfo.asp?SecCode = DIV20 Javidian, M. (2007). Forward-thinking cultures. Harvard Business Review, 85(7/8), 20. Jay, J. (2005). On communicating well. HR Magazine, 50(1), 87–90.