Question 1

A newcomer is uncertain about what her supervisor wants in a report. Not wanting to look bad, she asks a peer what to do. This is an example of which information-seeking strategy?

Accepted Answer

This is an example of a third-party inquiry, where the newcomer asks someone other than the supervisor (in this case, a peer) for information about the supervisor's expectations to avoid looking bad or uninformed directly to the supervisor.

Question 2

A newcomer is uncertain about his supervisor wants in a report. During a conversation with the supervisor he comments that in his old job the report usually included just three things. This is an example of which information-seeking strategy?

Accepted Answer

The newcomer is using disguising conversation by mentioning how things were done in his old job, indirectly seeking information about how to proceed without directly asking for instructions.

Question 3

A newcomer is uncertain about the department norms for lunch breaks. Rather than ask anyone, she simply keeps track of when people leave and return for about a week and decides lunch breaks are for about 30-40 minutes. This is an example of which information-seeking strategy?

Accepted Answer

The newcomer is using observation as an information-seeking strategy by watching when others take and return from their lunch breaks to understand the norms without directly asking anyone.

Question 4

A newcomer is uncertain about ordering supplies. Rather than ask his supervisor, he asks the delivery person the next time supplies arrive about how it usually works. This is an example of seeking information from which type of source?

Accepted Answer

The delivery person, not being a part of the newcomer's organization, represents an external source of information. External sources are those outside the newcomer's own organization.

Question 5

A newcomer is uncertain about how to get a raise and promotion in this company. Over time, she develops a relationship with a supervisor in another department. She talks to her about what to do. This is an example of seeking information from which type of source?

Accepted Answer

The newcomer is seeking information from "other organizational sources," which refers to individuals within the organization but outside the newcomer's immediate workgroup or department. In this case, the supervisor from another department serves as an organizational source outside of the newcomer's direct work environment.

Question 6

At the end of his second week at work, a newcomer is invited to join a group of coworkers for happy hour Friday after work. This is most clearly an example of crossing which type of boundary passage?

Accepted Answer

This scenario exemplifies crossing an inclusionary boundary, as the newcomer is being invited into a social group or activity, indicating acceptance and inclusion by his coworkers.

Question 7

Each time Peter has a computer problem and calls the information technology department for help, he has trouble understanding what they tell him to do, and so he needs help the next time the problem occurs. This language problem is most clearly an example of what type of boundary?

Accepted Answer

The language problem Peter experiences when communicating with the information technology department is an example of a functional boundary. This is because the issue arises from differences in specialized knowledge or expertise between different departments or functions within an organization, in this case, between Peter and the IT department.

Question 8

By the end of her second week at work, Amanda realizes that her coworkers are much friendlier than in her previous job. This is an example of which concept?

Accepted Answer

Amanda's realization about her coworkers being friendlier than those in her previous job reflects the differences between her experiences (current friendly coworkers) and her expectations (based on her previous job's less friendly coworkers).

Question 9

Explain how uncertainty management theory differs from the earlier uncertainty reduction theory.

Accepted Answer

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Question 10

Organizational newcomers experience four types of uncertainty (e.g., task uncertainty). Define three of these types of uncertainty and provide examples.

Accepted Answer

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Question 11

Describe three sources besides their supervisors and peers from whom newcomers can seek information to manage their uncertainty. Include an example of the type of information those sources might provide to assist the newcomer.

Accepted Answer

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Question 12

Define divestiture. Then, explain two strategies that institutions use to create divestiture.

Accepted Answer

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Question 13

Identify and define three information-seeking strategies that newcomers can use without needing to ask the source of uncertainty directly, such as a manager.

Accepted Answer

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Question 14

Using the concept of boundaries, explain two possible boundaries between a chief executive officer and a frontline employee.

Accepted Answer

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Question 15

Functional boundaries symbolically separate organizations into departments or divisions. Identify two ways that communication creates these boundaries for organizational members.

Accepted Answer

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Quiz 3: Communication and Organizational Encounter