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Dissertation Information for Joan Alice Deppa

NAME:
- Joan Alice Deppa

DEGREE:
- Ph.D.

DISCIPLINE:
- Journalism and Mass Communication

SCHOOL:
- Michigan State University (USA) (1981)

ADVISORS:
- None

COMMITTEE MEMBERS:
- None

MPACT Status: Incomplete - Not_Inspected

Title: CHANGE IN THE NEWSROOM: FIELD TEST OF A TRAINING PROGRAM FOR NEWSROOM SUPERVISORS USING VIDEO-TAPED ROLE MODELS

Abstract: "The study involves development of a training program using video-taped role models to help newsroom supervisors develop interpersonal skills and a field test of the program at a medium-sized newspaper. The program concentrates on skills to increase staff effectiveness in gathering and processing news. It stresses the need to encourage staff input, provide feedback about performance and maintain and enhance self-esteem. Five video-taped segments cover introduction of a new staffer to the job, making an assignment, praising good work, motivating the poor performer and dealing with criticism.

The field test uses items from the Michigan Organizational Assessment package and the Job Descriptive Index, as well as questions from a sociological study of journalists, for a pre- and post-test of staff attitudes as dependent variables. Key independent variables are measures of perceived change, especially changes reported by individual supervisors with regard to their communication with individual staffers. Results at the newspaper where the training program took place are compared with those of another newspaper, originally designated as a control unit, but which underwent a management reorganization in the ten weeks between pre- and post-tests. Findings at the newspaper where the training program was conducted show significant links between supervisory communication and satisfaction with supervision, with the newspaper's performance and with career choice, as well as the visible impact staffers believe their work has on the paper, how clearly they understand what they are to do and the quantity of work they report doing. The role of intrinsic, personal growth, promotion and monetary rewards is also investigated. Changes made in keeping with the training program are tied to significant increases in organizational involvement and in satisfaction with the choice of news work as a career, while a policy announcement of a bonus plan is linked to significant increases in expectations of monetary rewards for performing especially well.

Findings indicate the program can help supervisors change in ways that have a positive relationship to staff attitudes, while reorganizing the management team also can affect staff attitudes."

MPACT Scores for Joan Alice Deppa

A = 0
C = 2
A+C = 2
T = 0
G = 0
W = 0
TD = 0
TA = 0
calculated 2008-01-31 06:12:08

Advisors and Advisees Graph