Networks and Communications CM4203 2024 Lecture Notes PDF

Communications CM4203 Week 12 – 2024 Networks (SQ) and Communication Dr. Caoilfhionn Ní Bheacháin  According to Christakis and Fowler, ‘when a group is constituted as a network, there is a particular pattern of ties that connects the people...

Communications CM4203 Week 12 – 2024 Networks (SQ) and Communication Dr. Caoilfhionn Ní Bheacháin  According to Christakis and Fowler, ‘when a group is constituted as a network, there is a particular pattern of ties that connects the people involved, the typology. Moreover, ties are complicated. They can be ephemeral or lifelong; they can be casual or intense; they can be personal or anonymous” Connected, p. 16  Basic types of networking / community building: The people you already know and work with Face-to-face networking events, industry links and conferences, etc. Online Digital identities can be more important than formal certificates (your own representations and how your reputation develops through the comments of others) Importance of blogs, homepages, profiles on relevant platforms, ePortfolios, social capital as evidenced by network NETWORKING: ‘THE HUMAN USE A FARMING RATHER PROCESS THAT CREATES THAN A HUNTING AND MAINTAINS METAPHOR (CULTIVATE RELATIONSHIPS BASED ON RELATIONSHIPS RATHER TRUST FOR THE EXCHANGE THAN BEING UTILITARIAN OF VALUABLE KNOWLEDGE ABOUT CONNECTIONS) AND COLLABORATIVE WORKING’ Mentoring and mentoring relationships provide career support (sponsorship, exposure and visibility, coaching, protection and challenging assignments) and psychosocial support (sense of competence, identity and work role effectiveness). Networks facilitate outcomes such as professional advancement, information acquisition and identity development. Much more than just your boss – the research now recognises that individuals rely on a network of mentoring relationships to navigate their personal and professional lives. Thus the quality of your network really matters!  Networking: recognised by established researchers and academics as an essential tool for personal / intellectual growth, career development and professional advancement.  Why are networks important? FINDING PEOPLE DEVELOPING YOUR FINDING A JOB STAYING ABREAST TO COLLABORATE PROFESSIONAL OF DEVELOPMENTS WITH PORTFOLIO IN YOUR FIELD ENJOYING STIMULATING COMPANY AND CONVERSATION How and when do we network? 1) through purposeful personal contact done by phone, email, business letter, online networking sites, or in person; (2) at a function or an event designed for “schmoozing” or mingling with other professionals; or (3) by happenstance (sitting next to someone on a plane or at a workshop) In all cases, you’ll want to be ready.  In 1973, Mark Granovetter, a sociology professor at Stanford University, published a paper entitled The Strength of Weak Ties. It went on to become one of the most influential sociology The papers of all time. Until then scholars had assumed that an individual’s well-being depended mainly on the quality of Streng relationships with close friends and family. Granovetter showed that quantity matters, too. th of One way to think about any person’s social world is that you Weak have an inner circle of people whom you often talk to and feel close with, and an outer circle of Ties acquaintances whom you see infrequently or fleetingly. Granovetter named these categories “strong ties” and “weak ties”. His central insight was that for new information and ideas, weak ties are more important to us than strong ones.  What is meant by the “strength of weak ties”? Mark Granovetter’s concept of “weak ties” “Granovetter demonstrates that acquaintanceships and casual connections are frequently a better source of new information and opportunities than the close friendships or familial ties that sustain us emotionally but can be self- limiting. Such weak ties often provide access to alternative resources, information, and social circles, and are particularly important to individuals who are seeking new opportunities or information“ Mark Granovetter (1973) Ronald Burt, University of Chicago Booth School of Business  “Adjacent The “Adjacent Possible” has been Possible” – considered in terms of networks considered The concept originates from Stuart critical for Kauffman and his work on biological evolution. innovation Kaufman investigates how the actual – reaching expands into the adjacent possible. into our The actual describes the system under investigation in its current state, with all networks its components and interconnections. The and adjacent possible contains all the elements outside but near that system; hanging those represent the opportunities for the out at the current system to expand by building edges of new connections and turning those elements into system components. networks to see https://understandinginnovation.blog/ what is 2019/01/03/exploring-the-adjacent-po ssible-the-origin-of-good-ideas/ happening beyond Network Roles Brokers – span groups / can make introductions Connectors – main person within team for communication function Energiser – motivates team / collaborative Challenger – productive conflict Networking as the secret to great opportunities: https://www.ted.com/talks/tanya_menon_the_secret_to_great_opportunities _the_person_you_haven_t_met_yet/transcript Students sometimes think that career opportunities will come A successful career depends to them through hard work on being able to communicate and brilliance. However, effectively. This ability places graduates need to pursue and them at the centre of a create career opportunities professional network as much and sell themselves to at their job-specific skills or potential employers like capabilities everyone else  communicate to diverse audiences, Irish including both specialist and non- Universiti specialist initiate and sustain networks and es relationships that may encourage Associatio opportunities for collaboration or employment n’s develop and maintain effective Network relationships with colleagues of Deans work in a collaborative environment (Skills statement) of Graduate Studies: Elevator pitches Who, what, why in 30 seconds Example: Hello X. My name is ?. I was referred to you by ?. I am interested in learning more about…. I wonder if you would have a moment to share with me any advice / leads etc….  Why are networks important?  Tips Be positive about the process Have the tools ready (elevator pitch / business card / resume /etc.) Listen and ask questions Give leads or referrals when possible – If someone gives you a referral, let them know what happened Small courtesies matter! Write notes on the backs of the business cards you collect – have a notebook to record relevant information Follow up Start to define and build your network by listing your natural acquaintances and contacts: Family and their friends Friends and their families Volunteer affiliations (e.g., clubs, organizations, church, etc…) Professors, advisers, coaches Former or present work colleagues, clients and connections Professionals Ask yourself, “Who do I know?” and add anyone who comes to mind to your list. Your goal at this stage is to connect with your natural network to discover not only if they have direct advice but also if they know of others more closely affiliated with your interests.  The hidden influence of social networks: https://www.ted.com/talks/nicholas_christaki s_the_hidden_influence_of_social_networks Module Assessment E-Tivites 15% Midterm Exam 15% Group Project 40% Team Contract Presentation Poster Reflective Report Final Exam 30% Communications - definition  The science and practice of transmitting information  Communication studies is about how human meanings are made  The Communications Process Context Media Media Sende Sende Encodin Encodin Messag Decoding Decoding Receiver gg Messag Receiver rr ee Noise Noise Context Context Feedbac Feedbac Respons kk Respons ee Context Communication  Involves encoding and decoding Central to this is our understanding of signs Intertextuality – relationship between texts – how one text references and creates meaning from another Signs - review  Can be visual (picture) or (verbal)  Are arbitrary  We invest signs with meaning  Meaning depends on context (part of a code)  A code is ‘a system of conventions that enables one to detect meaning in signs’ (Berger 1984) Codes  Codes ‘perform an identifiable social or communicative function’  Broadcast code – uses terms / concepts that are familiar to many  Narrowcast code – ‘aimed at a defined, limited audience’ (Fisk)  Need for media literacy! The Contexts of Meaning  Context is the physical, social and psychological situation in which a communication event occurs  Words and behaviours acquire meaning through a specific set of circumstances that are in place as the communication happens. A given context is like a puzzle made up of individual pieces that, when combined, help us to assemble the whole puzzle. Personal Interpersonal History Intrapersonal Cultural Business Communication Context Iceberg metaphor for culture: what aspects are visible and what is not apparent at first glance? A business and its publics  Formal Informal  Company Reports  Watercooler chats  Performance Reviews  Gossip  Email / letter  Outside work events Communication involves Multiple Intelligences  IQ  EQ – Emotional Intelligence  Social Intelligence  Cultural Intelligence Interpersonal Context  Nature/ history of the relationship  Emotional Intelligence  Features  Listening skills / Feedback  Managing Conflict  How culture impacts upon communication  Dyadic / teams / small group  Listeningskills – types of listening, techniques for effective listening, barriers to listening; poor listening habits.  Feedback skills – role in communication process; what are the characteristics of effective feedback Academic Writing  CriticalThinking / argumentation  Fallacies (ad hominem / begging the question / slippery slope etc.)  Research and referencing skills  Plagiarism  Authoritative vs non-authoritative sources  When to cite a source Final Exam (30%) Module Name Date Time Day Building Location Information CM4203 COMMUNIC 13-Dec-24 16:00 Friday PESS SPHALL AFSHAR to ATIONS Building O'MAHONY CM4203 COMMUNIC 13-Dec-24 16:00 Friday PESS GYM O'NEILL to ATIONS Building ZIELINSKI