Communication Patterns of Managers

Abstract

A "self-report" communication diary was maintained for a period of one working week by 101 managers in a variety of Australian public and private sector organizations. The results confirm prior research and add substantially to our understanding of the relationship between key demo graphic variables, e.g., organizational function, education, public vs. private sector; and selected communication characteristics, e.g., numbers and types present, use of face-to-face vs. interposed media, time spent on work vs. nonwork activities. These findings have important implications for the way managers use their time and are trained.