Translating Geek Speak: A Communication-Constituting-Organization Exploration Into the Communication Challenges of Small Software Development Firms

• In Event: Organizational Communication Research Escalator - Extended Session

Abstract

Using grounded theory method with a communication constituting organization (CCO) framework, this study seeks to understand the communication challenges of small high-tech organizations developing on the cloud. Previous research in strategic management has demonstrated communication awareness affects small high-tech organizational growth. Yet, organizational communication has not explored small high-tech firms and the communication impacts on their growth, existence, and environment. These organizations are particularly fascinating from a CCO framework due to their duplicitous natures; that is, they are developing their own organizational messages and presence, and they are developing other organizations' online messages and presences as well. As the study unfolds, several key communication challenges are emerging: developing trust, limited conceptualizations of communication, translating technical jargon, stereotypes among coworkers, and communication avoidance.

Author

• Bridget Reynolds Sheffer, University of Waikato