A Proposed Integration among Organizational Information Requirements, Media Richness and Structural Design.

Abstract

This paper argues that information processing in organizations is influenced by two forces--equivocality and uncertainty. Equivocality is reduced through the use of rich media and the enactment of a shared interpretation among managers (Weick, 1979). Uncertainty is reduced by acquiring and processing additional data (Galbraith, 1973; Tushman and Nadler, 1978). Elements of organization structure vary in their capacity to reduce equivocality versus uncertainty. Models are proposed that link structural characteristics to the level of equivocality and uncertainty that arise from organizational technology, interdepartmental relationships, and the environment.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Nov 01, 1984
Accession Number
ADA149317

Entities

People

  • R. L. Daft
  • R. Lengel

Organizations

  • Texas A&M University

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical
  • Human Systems
  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Business Administration
  • Engineering
  • Industrial Engineering
  • Information Processing
  • Information Systems
  • Management Information Systems
  • Military Personnel
  • Military Research
  • National Security
  • New York
  • Organizational Structure
  • Personnel Management
  • Psychology
  • Students
  • Test And Evaluation
  • War Colleges

Readers

  • Organizational Psychology.
  • Systems Analysis and Design