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Vertical and Lateral Information Processing: The Effects of Gender, Employee Classification Level, and Media Richness on Communication and Work Outcomes

W.T. Beebe Institute of Personnel and Employment Relations, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia 30303.

Rodger W. Griffeth

W.T. Beebe Institute of Personnel and Employment Relations, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia 30303; Department of Management, College of Business Administration, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia 30303.

Data from 666 employees of a large midwestern telephone company were analyzed to identify communication pattern differences between: (a) males and females; (b) exempt and nonexempt employees; and (c) employees using rich and lean communication media. MANOVA and discriminant function analyses results indicated females sent less information to supervisors and experienced less information overload than males. Exempt employees interacted more with department heads and sent less information to peers than nonexempt employees. Those using the richest media communicated more with supervisors while those using the leanest media received most of their information from department heads. Additionally, interaction effects were detected. Discussion is advanced on how these findings might be used to improve intraorganizational communication.

Key Words: gender • media richness • power • communication

Human Relations, Vol. 50, No. 10, 1239-1260 (1997)
DOI: 10.1177/001872679705001003


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