FORMAL AND INFORMAL GROUP COMMUNICATION STRUCTURES: AN EXAMINATION OF THEIR RELATIONSHIP TO ROLE AMBIGUITY.

CONTAGION (Social psychology); SOCIAL psychology; COMMUNICATION; ROLE ambiguity; SOCIAL role; GROUP identity

This study systematically exploits the relative impacts of formal and emergent group communication structure on social contagion processes related to role ambiguity. This study was conducted in an Eastern, state-wide non-profit lobbying organization. The results suggest that communication network groupings have a clearer association with role ambiguity than an entire network of relationships. However, contrary to our hypothesis, no clear distinction could be made concerning the relative impact of formal and informal groups on these processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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