Exam 1: Business Communication in the Digital Age

Robert has altered figures on his firm's financial statements to make revenues for the quarter look higher. He thinks that doing this will cause an increase in his firm's stock price, which will make stockholders happy. He has fallen into the ends-justify-the-means ethical trap.

One disadvantage of written communication is that it the paper trail it leaves can be dangerous.

Which of the following is an example of an internal organizational communication? 

Which of the following is an example of downward communication in an organization? 

Steven included on his résumé the job title "Vice President of Reprographics." A reference check uncovered that he was actually a copy machine operator at Kinko's. Into what ethical trap did he fall? 

_______________ richness theory attempts to classify media in organizations according to how much clarifying information they are able to convey from a sender to a recipient.

David, a payroll clerk, came up with an idea for processing payroll more efficiently and presented it to the Human Resources Department manager. This is an example of an upward flow of communication.

Only workers at the highest levels of management are expected to think creatively and critically.

Which of the following is an example of external organizational communication? 

Today's new communication technologies have made writing skills less important than in the past.

"Around-the clock availability" 

A company's CEO has developed a five-year strategic plan and will share it with all employees. This is an example of downward communication.

__________ English laws require businesses to write policies, warranties, and contracts in language comprehensible to average readers.

Organizations with free-flowing, open communication tend to be more successful.

Information flows through formal communication channels in three directions: downward, upward, and spiral.