Rousing and Redirecting a Sleeping Giant

Abstract

Symbolic Convergence Theory (SCT)—an explanation of the process and consequences of human symbolizing—has enjoyed popularity in communication studies but, in organizational communication, its appeal has declined, perhaps because of perceptions of its irrelevance to complex and contemporary concerns. To develop SCT’s appeal as well as its possible resurgence, this article rouses and redirects it. In rousing SCT, the article reviews its central statements, remembers its uses, and lays bare some weaknesses (i.e., explaining why humans narrate reality and share dramas, restrictive convergence assumptions, and restrictive assumptions about membership in rhetorical communities). In redirecting SCT, the article relaxes and complements its assumptions with ideas from organizational communication theories (i.e., sensemaking, power and politics, bona fide groups, and multiple identifications) and points a reinvigorated SCT toward exploring coalition action in response to leader behaviors at Harvard Business Review and the University of Colorado.

The Communication of Community Collaboration: When Rhetorical Visions Collide

“…In his literature review on the disciplinary roots and dominant perspectives on coalition research, James O. Olufowote (2006), assistant professor at Boston College, also noted that prior research has failed to examine the constitutive role communication plays within coalitions.…”

“…In the case of a coalition, it could be assumed that members would interact in ways that promote the safety and welfare of their community. Past applications of SCT that automatically adopt this prosocial view of group action have been challenged by Olufowote (2006) as overly simplistic and ignorant of the role of conflict. Olufowote pointed out that rhetorical visions, while serving as unifying forces, may also ''instantiate power or reinforce a status quo that marginalizes certain groups or interests'' (p. 484).…”

Educational excellence through dual degrees : using Symbolic Convergence Theory to make it happen here.

“…To an extent, the SPAD students share the culture with the SPAD (CEHD) faculty, and the COMM students with the COMM (A&S) faculty. For more than two and one half decades, SCT has had a significant impact on communication scholarship and it is particularly useful with organizational communication (Olufowote, 2006). Once the students in the focus groups recognized a group consciousness, the research indicates that a rhetorical vision does exist and the results are that feasibility for a joint SPAD and COMM degree program also exists.…”

“…This Fantasy theme concept is the means by which people carry through what is in their mind, make it visible, then share it and shape it into a social knowledge . Olufowote (2006) concurred that specifically using the Fantasy theme Symbolic Convergence Theory (SCT) is particularly useful with organizational communication and analyzing complexities toward collective action.…”

“…These symbolic realties are a rhetorical vision. Rhetorical vision is described by Olufowote (2006) as 'ontological perspectives of humanistic rhetorical approaches and scientific approaches creating symbiosis in two ways: framework and communication as embodying both fantasy and logic. '…”