OCPS Take Home Exam

1. What kind of communication dimension is demonstrated in the above anecdote? Is this

phenomenon found in organizations? Does it have any positive aspects?
Answer: Grapevine Communication.
This phenomenon is often found in organizations. When employees find the system lacking in
transparency or when they cannot get the information they need through formal communication
channels, they resort to informal channels like grapevine. Just like the grapevine plant, it spreads in
random ways going wherever possible, without following any particular direction. It is not easy to
trace the origin of such communication. However to make it convincing people often use the words
like, learnt through reliable sources.
The grapevine fills in the gap that is created in the absence of official information. Even in
organizations where management is very proactive about keeping employees informed, the grapevine
helps to fill in the blanks. Research indicates that 70 per cent of the messages communicated through
grapevine are accurate since the impact of status, power and rank is minimal. In fact, it can be used
very effectively by management if they want to understand the impact of any initiative or change in
policy or process. Sometimes before officially announcing a change, the management may use
informal channels like grapevine to get the reaction and response of the people. They may then bring
about the desired change with or without modifications based on the feedback thus received.


2. What kind of communication barrier is demonstrated in this story? Elucidate.
Answer: Semantic Barrier.
Semantics is related to meanings of words. To be more exact, it is related to connotative and
denotative meanings of words and its study. Every word has a direct meaning called the denotative
meaning. In addition to its exact or lexical meaning, words also acquire implied meanings called
connotative meanings. Connotations are understood based only on an individuals experience. If the
encoder and decoder do not share the some connotative meaning for a word, miscommunication
occurs. Same has happened in the given example wherein turns were mistaken as turn because of
which the plane crashed. Hence it is a Semantic Barrier.


3. What listening barrier is encountered by the customer? Can you relate the incident with
SIER model?
Answer: Attitudinal Barrier of listening is encountered by the customer.
Sensing Vikram listened to Rohini who wanted a simple phone; however Vikram thought that he
should pitch in for selling an android phone to increase the sales.
Interpreting Without understanding Rohinis need, Vikram displayed an android phone to her and
started convincing Rohini to purchase a phone which she did not want 2 purchase.
Evaluating Rohini again responded that she required a phone just to use and not anything
complicated and pricy, so that Vikram could show some appropriate phones.
Responding However, Vikram again tried to convince Rohini to purchase the same android phone
thinking the sales factor in mind. Rohini this time got annoyed and thus left the store stating that she
would look for the phone at some other store.


4. (a) Which dimension of nonverbal communication does this indicate?
Answer. Proxemics
(b) Which aspect of nonverbal communication does his behaviour fall under?

Answer. Chronemics


5. Answer:
1. Belief that your own culture is superior Ethnocentrism
2. Socialization process we go through to learn a culture Melting Pot
3. A socio cultural assimilation Enculturation
4. Cultural information concealed from outsiders
Backstage
Culture
5. Absorption of new ideas into existing culture Acculturation
6. Oversimplified mental image of a group of people Stereotypes
7. Between persons of different cultures Subcultures
8. Between nations and governments International
9. Groups having traits differing from the macro culture Interculture
10. Culturally ingrained principles of correct/ incorrect behaviour Norms


6. What kind of interpersonal needs perspective is seen in Sujatas personality? What
would be your advice to her?

Answer. Wanted Inclusion
I would suggest Sujata to use the below mentioned tips for making interpersonal communication
effective:
Be interested
Listen first
Be emotionally intelligent
Select the appropriate words
Be sensitive to non-verbal communication
Ask questions
Be assertive
Be patient
Learn from your interactions
Establish meaningful work relationships


7. Discuss in the context of BATNA.
Answer. As per BATNA concept, we need to brainstorm to find the list of alternatives that
can be considered if the negotiation fails. Select best alternatives and make it practical and
also have fall-back alternatives.
Moffett Studios should have analyzed all the aspect and if had tried to find background
details instead of paying $250, they might have gained from the deal that was offered by
Roosevelts Campaign manager Perkins. In the case of Perkins he fully applied the BATNA
concept and must have analyzed all the options before calling Moffett Studios, so instead of
paying Moffett Studios he asked them to pay as this will make them known brand as they
will be distributing 3 million pamphlets.

Regards,
Hitesh Sharma
Student SNU-MBA.