COM4807 ORGANISATIONAL
COMMUNICATION THEORY 1 2026
CERTIFICATION EVALUATION TEST PAPER
QUESTIONS SOLUTIONS GRADED A PLUS
◉ General systems theory.
Answer: Input-throughput-output feedback from environment used
to change and grow
◉ Theory Z.
Answer: Trust, Employee Involvement, Integrated Organization,
Coordination, Information Control System, HR Development
◉ Entropy.
Answer: A measure of the disorder of a system
◉ Ideology.
Answer: Body of ideas that reflect worldview of a person, group,
culture
◉ Relative openness.
,Answer: The ability of an org to see themselves as part of a dynamic
system
◉ Karl Weick.
Answer: Social psychology of organizing; sense making in
organizations
◉ Retrospective Sensemaking.
Answer: Weick believes we can only truly understand what we are
doing after we have done it
◉ Strengths of Weick's Theory.
Answer: Action-Oriented, Flexibility, Focus on Meaning, Practicality
◉ Weaknesses of Weick's Theory.
Answer: Subjectivity, Hard to Measure, Reactive Focus, Context
Neglect
◉ Equifinality.
Answer: Concept that means the same goal may be reached multiple
ways
◉ Likert's Four Systems of Management.
, Answer: System 1: Exploitative Authoritative, System 2: Benevolent
Authoritative, System 3: Consultative, System 4: Participative Group
◉ System 1: Exploitative Authoritative.
Answer: Top-down leadership based on fear and punishment; little
to no upward communication
◉ System 2: Benevolent Authoritative.
Answer: A 'master-servant' relationship; mostly downward
communication
◉ System 3: Consultative.
Answer: Leaders have substantial but not complete trust in
subordinates; information flows fairly well
◉ System 4: Participative Group.
Answer: Based on complete trust, shared responsibility, and
teamwork; high levels of free-flowing communication
◉ Strengths of Likert's Theory.
Answer: Increased productivity, higher job satisfaction, and lower
turnover in System 4
COMMUNICATION THEORY 1 2026
CERTIFICATION EVALUATION TEST PAPER
QUESTIONS SOLUTIONS GRADED A PLUS
◉ General systems theory.
Answer: Input-throughput-output feedback from environment used
to change and grow
◉ Theory Z.
Answer: Trust, Employee Involvement, Integrated Organization,
Coordination, Information Control System, HR Development
◉ Entropy.
Answer: A measure of the disorder of a system
◉ Ideology.
Answer: Body of ideas that reflect worldview of a person, group,
culture
◉ Relative openness.
,Answer: The ability of an org to see themselves as part of a dynamic
system
◉ Karl Weick.
Answer: Social psychology of organizing; sense making in
organizations
◉ Retrospective Sensemaking.
Answer: Weick believes we can only truly understand what we are
doing after we have done it
◉ Strengths of Weick's Theory.
Answer: Action-Oriented, Flexibility, Focus on Meaning, Practicality
◉ Weaknesses of Weick's Theory.
Answer: Subjectivity, Hard to Measure, Reactive Focus, Context
Neglect
◉ Equifinality.
Answer: Concept that means the same goal may be reached multiple
ways
◉ Likert's Four Systems of Management.
, Answer: System 1: Exploitative Authoritative, System 2: Benevolent
Authoritative, System 3: Consultative, System 4: Participative Group
◉ System 1: Exploitative Authoritative.
Answer: Top-down leadership based on fear and punishment; little
to no upward communication
◉ System 2: Benevolent Authoritative.
Answer: A 'master-servant' relationship; mostly downward
communication
◉ System 3: Consultative.
Answer: Leaders have substantial but not complete trust in
subordinates; information flows fairly well
◉ System 4: Participative Group.
Answer: Based on complete trust, shared responsibility, and
teamwork; high levels of free-flowing communication
◉ Strengths of Likert's Theory.
Answer: Increased productivity, higher job satisfaction, and lower
turnover in System 4
