Communicating in Groups and Teams: Strategic Interactions

Rooted in scholarly research from diverse disciplines, Communicating in Groups and Teams: Strategic Interactions explains group communication concepts through clear examples based on representative group interactions. Rather than pure expository text, the book features dialogue to demonstrate how group dynamics unfold.

Early chapters describe the importance of groups and teams, and how communication is integral to these social forms. The book then describes and explains the core processes for which each group member is responsible, such as sharing information and managing conflict. The final chapter guides students through participating in, navigating, and facilitating group interactions. The book uses a wide range of group types – such as student problem-solving groups, organizational work teams, health care teams, family groups, community groups, and sports teams – to illustrate concepts and present skills grounded in research and theory.

Each chapter includes a “Theory Stand-out” that closely examines the theory-research link, a message and meaning section that analyzes transcripts of authentic interactions, and skill-building exercises and activities that allow students to apply what they are learning. Successfully combining both academic and real-world understandings of communication, and featuring engaging content and examples, the book is ideal for communication courses, particularly those with business applications.

Joann Keyton earned her Ph.D. in communication and business administration at The Ohio State University. Dr. Keyton is a professor of communication at North Carolina State University, where she teaches courses in research methods and in group and organizational communication. She is a founder of the Interdisciplinary Network for Group Research and editor of Small Group Research.

Stephenson Beck holds a Ph.D. in communication from the University of Kansas, Lawrence and is an associate professor of communication at North Dakota State University. Dr. Beck has published articles in the Small Group Research, Group Dynamics, and Communication Studies.