Surplus Value in Organizational Communication

摘要

This thesis presents a model of communication value as a function oforganizational resources consumed in preparing communications. The value to an originator of a communication is based on the perception of the available resources consumed in preparing that communication. An originator consumes resources to satisfy the objective elements of information value (accuracy, timeliness, and relevance) and subjective elements (format and presentation quality). Even when the objective elements of value are satisfied, an originator continues to consume resources in pursuit of enhanced presentation quality through subjective embellishment. An originator is motivated to over-prepare by competition, maintenance of face, and self-efficacy mechanisms. A recipient's value function is based on key objective elements of information value. The subjective elements have value only to the extent that they improve the reception of the objective elements. That value diminishes as resources are consumed in preparing a communication. Surplus value is introduced as the difference between a recipient's value and an originator's value of a given document, at some quantity of resources consumed in preparation.