Introducing 

Prezi AI.

Your new presentation assistant.

Refine, enhance, and tailor your content, source relevant images, and edit visuals quicker than ever before.

Loading content…
Loading…
Transcript

Structuration Theory

Assumptions of Structuration Theory

What is Structuration Theory?

  • Groups and organizations are produced and reproduced through the use of rules and resources
  • Communication rules serve as both the medium for, and outcome of, interactions
  • Power Structures are present in organizations to guide the decision making process

Structuration - the production, reproduction, and transformation of social environments through rules and resources in relationships

Elements of Structuration Theory

  • Agency-behaviors or activities used in social environments
  • Reflexivity-a person's ability to monitor his or her actions or behaviors

Organizations create structures, which can be interpreted as an organization's rules and resources. These structures create social systems, in which, power structures guide the decision making.

ACTIVITY TIME!!!

  • Duality of Structure-rules and resources vs. behavior

Power

Conclusion

Results and Interpretations

Structuration Theory is highlighted in this study by showing the impact that of day-to-day interactions in organizations

The ways in which employees communicate their work/life concerns exemplifies their internalization of rules and resources necessary for specific requests

Results and Interpretations

3 resources emerged as a result of the study

Resource 1: A societal or organizational value of family

Resource 2: An employee’s own competence

Resource 3: Knowledge of the organization

References

Hoffman, M. F., & Cowan, R. L. (2010). Be Careful What You Ask For: Structuration Theory and Work/Life Accommodation.Communication Studies, 61(2), 205-223. doi:10.1080/10510971003604026

6 rules surfaced as a result of the study

Rule 1: Before making a request, employees should weigh risks and rewards carefully

Rule 2: The easiest requests are family requests

Rule 3: Employees should make requests only if they know they will be granted

Rule 4: Employees should stress organizational interests

Rule 5: Work/life requests should be dealt with privately

Rule 6: It is appropriate for employees to find other ways to fulfill their work/life needs

  • Reward Power-other person has something to provide
  • Coercive Power-other person can punish you
  • Referent Power-compliance out of favor
  • Legitimate Power-from title or position
  • Expert Power-from special knowledge or expertise

Method

96 employee online questionnaires

Asked to respond to three open-ended prompts

A) Describe what you asked for and who you asked in the situation B) Describe how you made this request and what reasons you gave; and C) Describe how the person to whom you made the request responded

Research Question

“How do the nature and manner of requests made or avoided by individuals reflect their understanding of the rules and resources surrounding work/life accommodations in organizations and society” (Hoffman & Cowan, 2010).

Structuration Theory in Relation to the Study

Structuration theory is concerned with the ways that social structures combine with human interactions to either reproduce or challenge social institutions

Key concepts in examining the construction of work/life balance

in organizations

The nature of structures (“official” and learned rules)

The duality of structures (interactions reproduce or reinforce

structures ;transformation is possible)

Be Careful What You Ask For:

Structuration Theory and Work/Life Accommodation

Mary F. Hoffman & Renee L. Cowan

Critique

  • Scope-trying to do too much at once because it is so applicable
  • Parsimony-it isn't simple enough and lacks basic characteristics present in other communication theories
Learn more about creating dynamic, engaging presentations with Prezi