Using satellite broadcast to assess faculty reactions to organizational re-structuring /

The reactions of field employees of the Texas Agricultural

Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Powell, Albert E.
Format: Thesis Book
Language:English
Published: [Place of publication not identified] : [publisher not identified] ; 1996.
Subjects:
Online Access:http://proxy.library.tamu.edu/login?url=http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?did=739653761&sid=1&Fmt=2&clientId=2945&RQT=309&VName=PQD
Description
Summary:The reactions of field employees of the Texas Agricultural
Extension Service (TAEX) were studied after participation in
an April 1994 satellite broadcast which initiated an
organizational re-structuring. The employees held one of
three job titles: County Agent, District Support Staff, or
County Support Staff. The objectives were: to determine
whether field employees responded positively to using
satellite broadcast to include them in organizational re-
structuring; to determine what percentage of field employees
felt that Extension should continue to include them in
organizational business using satellite broadcast; and to
determine whether satellite broadcast is an efficient and
effective method of communication for Extension. The
purposes were to report whether the employees responded
positively to the satellite broadcast, and to recommend
whether or not Extension should continue the practice. An
evaluation instrument containing five demographic questions
and nine content statements was administered to all employees
who viewed the broadcast. Responses to the content were
gathered using an "Agree-Disagree" 1-5 point Likert scale.
Five statements elicited noteworthy responses: to "Satellites
and other communications technologies can help improve
employee communications and input", 69 percent of all viewers
responded positively, and 77 percent of those who had viewed
6-10 teleconferences agreed. Sixty-nine percent of viewers
also responded positively to "Broadcasting this meeting to
all faculty shows respect for Extension's employees"; 67
percent responded positively to "It was important to include
all faculty in today's meeting"; 60 percent of respondents
responded negatively to "Including all faculty in today's
meeting was an empty gesture". To "Extension is likely to
change as a result of the process explained today, " viewer
response was 47 percent negative, 39 percent neutral and only
14 percent positive. Interpretations: employees responded
positively to satellite technology, and believed it was
important and worthwhile to include all employees, but that
despite these findings, the employees did not believe the
organization was ready to change. The study objectives were
achieved. The findings included: employees did respond
positively to using satellite broadcast to include them in
organizational business; the broadcast was effective and
efficient; and Extension should continue to use the
technology to communicate with employees.
Item Description:Vita.
"Major Subject: Educational Human Resource Development".
Physical Description:ix, 115 leaves : illustrations ; 28 cm.
Issued also on microfiche from University Microfilms Inc.
Bibliography:Includes bibliographical references: pages 80-85.