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Uncertainty: Theory and Practice in Organizational Communication

Rice University

Jone Rymer Goldstein

Wayne State University

This paper (1) reviews the growing recognition of uncertainty as a central concern in social science and administrative disciplines, (2) proposes a definition of uncertainty useful in organizational communication, and (3) demonstrates the applicability of this concept to managing communication problems in a manufacturing firm. Uncertainty is defined herein as the perceived lack of information, knowledge, beliefs, and feelings necessary for accomplishing organizational tasks . The goal of communicators is to reduce andlor manage their own and their audience's uncertainties through language. By analyzing corporate, departmental, and individual uncertainties, writers can interpret communication problems, design documents, and manage formal and informal communication systems efficiently and effectively.

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