Abstract
D.Litt. et Phil.
The purpose of this study was to determine on a theoretical level
what the role of communication climate in the formation of perceptions
of organizational climate of the formal organization
is.
To achieve this purpose, existing conceptual and methodological
issues surrounding the climate construct had to be alleviated.
This was achieved through the operational definition of the construct
within the framework of an organizational model, whereby a
nomological net could be established for the construct.
A theoretical framework within which the operational definition
of the construct could be undertaken, was constructed through a
systematic synthesis of available literature. Through structural functional
analysis of existing systems theoretical approaches
to the study of organization systems, a social systems model of
organizational functioning was constructed.
within this explicit theoretical framework the construct organizational
climate, as well as the construct communication
climate was operationally defined according to the role each
plays in terms of the organization's functioning.
By representing these constructs in relation to each other within
the framework of an organizational model, a theoretical link between
these two constructs could be specified.
It was indicated that the determinants of organizational climate
are the organizational processes which link organizational
structures to functions. It was determined that the organizational
climate construct consists of two sub constructs, i.e.
communication climate and transformation climate. It was also
noted that both these constructs are related to communication
constructs, and thus the climate they generate is related to a
climate for communication.
The conclusion was 'thus made that organizational climate is a
communication construct, which is indicative of the climate for
organizational functioning which is provided by communication.
It was also shown that the relationship by which the constructs
communication climate and transformation climate determine organizational
.climate cannot be specified in a general way. The
reason for this is that the specific processes emphasized by the
organization in its functioning will determine the relationship
between these two constructs in the formation of the organizational
climate of the formal organization.
Finally, the methodological implications of this theoretical
viewpoint were discussed.