The development of a communication expectations taxonomy for supervisors and subordinates

The purpose of this study was to create a taxonomy of the communication expectations held by supervisors and subordinates vis-a-vis one another. Communication expectations refer to specific kinds or types of spoken language anticipated in the workplace. Communication expectations were conceptualized as having both cognitive and behavioral dimensions. In building a foundation for this study, communication expectations were: described in terms of symbolic action; contrasted with traditional role theory and research; and reviewed in terms of the extant literature. This study utilized a qualitative research approach with triangulated methods of observations, interviews, and surveys. A total of 2,653 expectations was identified from a number of different organizational types and levels. A domain analysis was then undertaken, identifying cover terms for use in constructing a category system. A taxonomic analysis followed, resulting in several revisions of the emerging taxonomy. The final version of the taxonomy includes 13 major categories and 78 subcategories. Four coders independently sorted 150 expectations into the taxonomy, demonstrating reliabilities of.935 and.847 for the major categories and subcategories respectively. The taxonomy integrates speech acts and topics, and includes both expected and unexpected categories. Among the former are expectations associated with the regulation of tasks and coordination of the workforce. Some of the unexpected categories include interpersonal relationships at work and internal organizational communication. The taxonomy embraces a vast array of expectations ranging from career growth and development, to keeping informed about managerial decision, to talking about families and vacations. The communication expectations approach developed in this study incorporates the cognitive, behavioral, and emotive dimensions of communication. In addition, the approach integrates a symbolic action perspective through the concepts of form/motive, identification, and the metaphor of private property. The present study paves the way for further research into communication expectations by providing a fairly exhaustive body of expectations for further qualitative and quantitative research