Rumors and its impact on organization

Rumors and its impact on organization

By: Mohamad Afifi Yahaya

According to oxford dictionary, rumors can be seen as stories or statements in general circulation without any confirmation or certainty as to facts. It is also can be called as gossip and hearsay (Hawkins, 2011).

Since people like gossiping and interesting bits of information, rumors often grow and spread over because of people is naturally like to be “in the know”. Most of the time, they feel it’s important for them to know thing that most people don’t. In any organizations, this type of interaction is dangerous and costly. It wastes time, damages reputation, creates anxiety, and promotes divisiveness (Mind Tools, 2015).

According to Davis (2009), in academic line rumors are also known as grapevine. “No administrator in his right mind would ever try to abolish the management grapevine. It is as permanent as humanity is. It should be recognized, analyzed, and consciously used for better communication”.

In some regard the grapevine can be seen as an evil, a thorn in the side which regularly spreads rumor destroys morale and reputations, leads to irresponsible actions, and challenges authority. Sometimes, it was a good thing because it acts as a safety regulator and carries news fast (Davis, 2009).

Some scholars have highlighted a few characteristics of grapevine such as humanly permanent, extremely fast, highly accurate, qualified answer, usually bad news, and a real life example. However, among the policy-makers especially among the government and management, grapevine is something important for them. We can call it as “trial balloons” via grapevine. If an institution is about to implement a new policy, but is unsure about how people may react to it, word of the new policy can be placed on a grapevine and employee reactions being observed. If there is little or no negative reaction to the contemplated policy, then an official announcement of its enactment can be made (Wells & Spinks, 1994).

In 1953, a scholar named as Davis has developed a theory to study grapevine in organizations. Through his theory of Episodic Communication in Channels of Organization (ECCO) analysis, we can trace person-to-person diffusion of rumors and the flow of other information in an organization. By plotting over the communication network, the researcher or investigator probably might know who starts create the rumors and how it has been circulated through the network (Monge & Contractor, 2003).

Reference

Davis, K. (2009). Management Communication and Grapevine. Harvard Business Review Notice of Use Restrictions .

Hawkins, J. M. (2011). Oxford Dictionary. Malaysia: Oxford Fajar .

Mind Tools. (2015). Rumors in the workplace. Retrieved October 3, 2015, from Mind Tools "excellent skills for an excellent career": https://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newTMM_25.htm

Monge, P., & Contractor, N. (2003). Theories of Communication Network. Carlifornia: Oxford University Press.

Wells, B., & Spinks, N. (1994). Managing Your Grapevine: A Key to Quality Productivity. Executive Development , 24-27.

Globalization Consumption and Cultural Hybridization

Globalization Consumption and Cultural Hybridization

By: Mohamad Afifi Bin Yahaya

Globalization consumption is a process by which people for the whole world are incorporated into a single world society, demand and exposed to the same needs. This is so called as global society. In this context, people normally will adapt and adopt other cultures while maintain their own traditional way.

Cultural hybridization is the blending of elements from different cultures (Pieterse, 2015). Cultural Hybridization is occurred when people mix traditional arts, mass communication, and popular culture in new way.

Besides, it is also a process of enabling people to express personal and cultural identities that are different from existing ones. Cultural hybridization is obviously related to the issue in globalization studies.

Hybridization is dissimilar from integration, in which interdependencies build up. Although trends toward cultural integration and hybridization are not always positive, it has created to a new concept of the way people life.

Reference

Pieterse, J. N. (2015). Globalization and Culture. California: Rowman & Littlefield.

GLOBALIZATION

GLOBALIZATION

By

Mohamad Afifi Bin Yahaya

According to Dr. Nayef Al-Rodhan (2006), who has done with a comprehensive studies about the definitions of globalization, he claimed that “globalization is referring to a process that encompasses the causes, course, and consequences of transactional and trancultural integration of human and non-human activities”.

Through his research, he found that globalization is involving the economic integration, the transfer of policies across borders and countries, the transmission of knowledge, cultural stability; the reproduction, relations, and discourses of power. In easy words, globalization can be seen as a global process, a concept, a revolution and an establishment of the global market free from sociopolitical control (Al-Rodhan, 2006).

Globalization is also can be referred as the growing interdependence of countries resulting from the increasing integration of trade, finance, people, and ideas in one global market. International trade and cross-border investment flows are the main elements of this integration (Soubbotina & Sheram, 2000).

Moreover, globalization includes all of the elements with some connotations referring to progress, development and stability, integration and cooperation, and others referring to regression, colonialism, and destabilization. By its nature, globalization spans a multitude of disciplines, communities, and cultures. This, of course, allows for a variety of viewpoints, be they economic, social, or politics.

REFERENCE

Al-Rodhan, N. (2006). Definitions of Globalization:A Comprehensive Overview and a proposed defintion. Geneva: Geneva Centre for Security Policy .

Soubbotina, T., & Sheram, K. (2000). Beyond Economic Growth: Meeting the Challenges of Global Development. Washington : USA: World Bank Publications.

Influence of TV Commercials towards Cultural Values of a Community

Influence of TV Commercials towards Cultural Values of a Community

By:

Mohamad Afifi Bin Yahaya

Advertising is a process of product placement in the market, positioning, branding and highlighting that always made by advertisers and product’s owner in order to inform and influence the public about the existence of their products and services (O'Barr, 2005). It aims to influence audiences by informing and reminding people about their brand at a higher level, persuading and influence, targeting the audience so that they can boost the sales.

There are many theories discussed about advertising and TV commercials. For example is Cultivation Theory. Cultivation theory suggests that audience can be persuaded and influenced to buy a product that they never have after get a high exposure about a particular product and services by watching television. As the main process of advertising is informing and improving people’s knowledge about the products, it ends by people purchase and use the product as well. Furthermore, heavy television exposure generates a world of idea and mental content that obviously biased toward reality as portray by media. Heavier television users basically tend to accept gender stereotypes where they are more to be anomic and believe the concept of meanness of the world (Britt & Matei, 2011).

According to Ball State University on media consumption habits research found that television remains as the dominant medium in United States even though the internet steady rise in popularity over the years (Business Editors, 2015). TV commercial was said as the most significant and effective way to influence and persuade people to buy certain particular product. This fact is also supported by Global Head of Advertiser Solutions for Nielson; Randell (2011), when they found that people prefers TV commercial compare to the other medium.  

Previous research is also found that television commercials have giving impact on the social and moral behaviour of the viewers. According to Singh & Sandhu (2011) on their study about television commercial in India, revealed that most of TV commercials have undermine social, moral and religious values and negatively influence audience’s behaviour. Most of the time, it violates ethical and disrespect of cultures such as degradation of women as sex symbol, boost to materialism and untruthful content by showing unrealistic expectations.

Reference

Britt, B., & Matei, S. A. (2011). Virtual Socialability: from community to communitas. Ideagora: InterAcademic Press.

Business Editors. (2015). Television Advertising : Pros and Cons. Retrieved September 15, 2015, from All Business Network: http://www.allbusiness.com/television-advertising-pros-and-cons-2592-1.html

O'Barr, W. M. (2005). Advertising and Society Review. Advertising Educational Foundation , 1154-1311.

Singh, J., & Sandhu, N. (2011). Impact of Television Commercials on the social and moral behavior of Indian Vierwers - EMpirical Eveidence. The special issues on Bevahioral and social science , Volume 1. No.7.

New Media: The “Real Power” of Media Ownership and Press Freedom

Introduction

Since 1906, Malay Press was begun to mushroom all over the Malaya when people realized that they should take control of political and economic future by seeking independence from the imperialists such as British and Japan. Highlighting the controversial issues, raising awareness about our right, and mount support from the society were the most Malay Press key roles until the establishment of Malayan Union (Hussin, 2005).

Newspaper and Magazines have contributed much in the process of getting independence. Malay Presses such as Al-Imam (1906–1908), Saudara (1928–1941), Pengasuh (1918–1938), Majlis (1930–1940) and Warta Malaya (1930–1941) were the early of media awareness who have talked about the importance of fighting for independence by portraying what had happened in neighborhood countries especially Indonesia and Philippine(Saat, 2010).

Media obviously played a big role in giving national awareness among Malays especially in fighting for independence. Through media, there were so many controversial topics being highlighted such as “we” should control the political power, economic mechanism, education system and social development that mostly have been stressed by the local Malay writers like Za’ba and Onn Jaafar. All of the media used was said were given a huge influential in discussing the importance of precaution to Malay’s right in their soil land (Sipon, 2008).

Basically, the two premier functions of media are to inform the public with information and to educate the public about their right. Other than that it is all about providing entertainment program for public gratifications. However, even though through entertainment program, media still acted as a springboard of imagination and fantasy to draw what public should think about (Lule, 2015).

In today world, media has been described as the fourth power in the country. It is because of the ability to influence over public opinion which able to turn affects and change the situation as they want. For example, media is able to give pressure to the government in order to implement and abolish certain policies. As media has been the “voice of the people” by keeping the government in check, so media ownership has become one of the long debate issues around the world. The ability of media as a watchdog is something undeniable. This is proven since before the independence day and deliberately effective until now.

However, there exist controversial issues where the media might control the public opinion in ways that contradict with the spirit of nationality. Upon the concept of maintaining the peace and national security of the country, the government starts to get involve in controlling the media. For example, through Printing Press and publication Act, stated that all media and presses are required to have a license granted by minister in order to make publications which need to be renewed every year (PPPA, 1984).

Another big issue of this media ownership is press freedom. Media was said being tied to so many rules and restrictions because of this controversial law. Media has been highlighted as bias to some group of interest and government especially in doing reporting. Even though through article 10 of Malaysia Federal constitution (FC) stated that public has right in express their opinion, freely can assemble and be associated, by the construction of so many laws and regulation as tarnished the concept of absolute freedom as guaranteed in Malaysia FC (Perlembagaan Persektuan, 1963).

Agenda Setting

When we talk about the “real power” meaning that those specific person or a group of people should able to place their agenda in shaping people mind or thought. Based on the concept of agenda setting theory that has been introduced by Mc Comb and Shaw, agenda setting explains on how the agenda is being deployed in order to control people mind towards something. However, in new media platform, we actually are confused whether the agenda actually has been set by the media or the public as the public is the one who owns the media itself. Government will be more likely can winning people heart if their current agenda aligning with what media and public likely has agreed (Eld, 2007).

At last, we can see that the government is just like sharing the common interest with the other parties. Historically, we can say that government agenda is the public and media agenda, but literally it is no longer like that. Press freedom concept was tarnished and it is known like that because old media that fought for people right was controlled by the ruling party. In today world, who controls who actually? As the new media is controlling everything, so the victory of powerful agenda setting was dropped to the public which totally strengthen the public agenda (Berger, 2007).

Public agenda is the most crucial part out of the world. Through new media, public concern is not merely limited to the local issues but goes to internationally breach the borders. The concept of global village or closed media environment plays international efforts that expanded through to every region in channeling the information. This is not only for public to get news but more on highlighting the global issues; offer solidarity and supporting activist by fully understand their perspectives (Karlekar, 2007).

When we examine the concept of new media and how public place their agenda throughout this internet discussion, public literally succeed in highlighting so many issues that never had been disclosed by old media. For example, the issues of dictatorships, censorship, press controls, corruption, manipulation, propaganda, economic inequality, business monopolies and many more incredible issues have been highlighted through new media (Alves, 2007).

We can call these as the serial power of public agenda just after they know the media ownership nowadays was turning into their hands. Press freedom through online sites and free blogging or microblogging are the platform where they can maintain their power by mounting support from the other users. Government has lost control of what public has to think. That is why, if the government make something against with public agenda, their place as the “ruling party” might be threaten.

Implication

The implication of this turning point of media ownership from the government to the public actually has deliberated so many controversial issues. In Malaysia for example, when the former Prime Minister Tun Mahathir Mohamad launched the Multimedia Super Corridor (MSC), opposition party has turned effectively on using internet. The World Wide Web (www.) has given them a space to mount support from the public. As consequences, the result of general election in Malaysia was almost kicking down the Barisan Nasional party who has governed this country since Independence Day (Sani & Zengeni, 2009).

In general election 12^th for example, Barisan Nasional lost five states out of thirteen and some discussion about this GE found that new media has become the main reason why the problems occurred. According to Sani and Zengeni (2009), during that election, Lim Kit Siang who is the President of Democratic Association Party (DAP) has three political blogs which have been used as weapon in mounting support from Chinese’s voters. Furthermore, the President of Justice for people (PKR) Dato Sri Anwar Ibrahim was found as having two political blogs that have been used in disseminating opponent ideologies to all Malay readers. Paradoxically, there is no Barisan Nasional leaders have any good connections with public through online sites.

Former Prime Minister, Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi who was responsible to lead the party on that time says that it was a mistake for his party to ignore the powerful of new media among youth’s voter. 

“We didn’t think it was important, it was a serious misjudgment. We thought that the newspapers, the print media, the television were important but young people were looking at text messages and blogs” – Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi(New Straits Times, 2008).

In some other perspective, it is not about how opponent party’s expert in utilizing new media but the government actually failed to resolve all those sensitive issues. According to former deputy finance minister, Tun Daim, the reason why BN almost lost in the general election because it was held at the wrong time. Government still did not resolve so many sensitive issues such as Hindraf, Bersih assembly, the hiking price of goods and fuel and many other issues related to the public welfares (Sani & Zengeni, 2009).

Therefore, we can see basically the public has the real power not only in highlighting issues but also in shaping this country. The implication also clearly can be seen in the thirteen general elections as BN almost lost their power to govern this country. No one can stop the public to express what they want to and no more censorship exist due to the public is the one who owns the media ownership now.

Conclusion

As conclusion, media used to be owned by Media Practitioners before the Independence Day. Then, government is the one who controls the media due to importance of maintain peace and national security. However, when new media turns up, public is the one who controls the media. No more censorship and no more limitation. Everything can be expressed freely without restrictions. The result of general election 12^th and 13^th has shown how this new media has changed Malaysia landscape. Opponent parties who have turned to the new media basically succeed in mounting support from the public by highlighting all those undisclosed issues.

Nowadays, public is the one who will placing the agenda. As the public is the one who owns the new media, so public agenda literally become the media agenda. If the government or policy agenda is not aligning with these two agendas, their life as government would not be longer. The result of GE 12 to GE 13 has explained the importance of government to pay full attention on public agenda. If there are so many sensitive issues unresolved, it might damage BN reputation in the next general election.

New Media is so powerful in integrating public and place a dominant opinion about something. As a free platform and discussion area, new media can be good and bad to the process of democratization in the developing countries. If the government is not be given a full right of governing, so their power to manage this country might be disgraced. A strong government is needed in determining the survival of the country in international level. This is why China’s government for example has blocked Facebook application in his country. Upon the concept of national security, some restriction towards the internet itself should be done properly.

References

Alves, R. C. (2007). New Media Advances in Latin America. In B. James, New Media : The Press Freedom Dimension (pp. 43-46). Paris: UNESCO.

Balding, T. (2007). Press Freedom: Every Citizenʼs Right. In B. James, New Media : The Press Freedom Dimension (pp. 10-11). Paris: Unesco.

Berger, G. (2007). New Media and Old:A Need to Share Common Press Freedom Interests. In B. James, New Media : Press Freedom DImension (pp. 14-15). Paris: UNESCO.

Eld, R. N. (2007). A Lesson From Victor Hugo. Paris: UNESCO.

Fritz, J. P. (2007). New Media in New Democracies. In J. Barry, New Media : Press Freedom Dimension (p. 21). Paris: UNESCO.

Fulton, M. L. (2007). Bloggers as Journalists/Citizen Media. In B. James, New Media (p. 55). Paris: UNESCO.

Harris, L. (2007). Internet Benefi ts from a Light Touch. In B. James, New Media : Press Freedom Dimension (pp. 11-13). Paris: UNESCO.

Hussin, N. (2005). Malay press and Malay politics: The Hertogh. Asia Europe Journal, AEJ 3:561–575.

Karlekar, K. D. (2007). Internet vs. Censorship. In B. James, New Media : The Press Freedom Dimesion (pp. 38-39). Paris: UNESCO.

Levinson, P. (2000). McLuhan and Media Ecology. Proceedings of the Media Ecology Association, 17-22.

Lule, J. (2015). Media and Culture. In J. Lule, Understanding Media and Culture: An Introduction to Mass Communication. USA: Flat World Education.

New Straits Times. (2008). BN lost 5 states.

Perlembagaan Persektuan, M. (1963). Undang-undang Malaysia. Malaysia: Kerajaan Malaysia.

PPPA. (1984). Printing Press and Publications Act. Malaysia: Percetakan Nasional Berhad.

Saat, I. (2010). THE POLITICAL ROLE OF THE SUARA RAKYAT. Jurnal Kemanusiaan Universiti Sains Malaysia, 65-89.

Sani, A., & Zengeni, K. T. (2009). Democratization in Malaysia. Jounal of Political Communication.

Schmidt, M. (2007). New Media – Expanding Press Freedom : International Commitments Guarantee Media Freedoms. In B. James, New Media : Press Freedom Diemnsion (pp. 6-8). Paris: UNESCO.

Sipon, S. (2008, June 2). Akhbar bela nasib Melayu. Retrieved May 30, 2015, from Utusan Online: http://ww1.utusan.com.my/utusan/info.asp?y=2008&dt=0602&pub=utusan_malaysia&sec=Rencana&pg=re_02.htm&arc=hive

Yelvington, S. (2007). Blogs Challenge Traditional Media . In B. James, New Media : Press Freedom Dimension (pp. 60-61). Paris: UNESCO.

Life must go on? On to where babe..

Life must go on!

We always heard people says like this whenever they're feeling down. Ops! But I am not feeling down now?! Err.. because of the bunch of assignments need to be done does not mean I have to feel down. Am I right? Okay I'm lying here..

Assignment. It means that we need to understand on what has been requested by lecturers, make some research regarding the topic, consult and consult again and again with lecturer for a better approach, and proceed of doing it plus presenting the progress until we meet the final point. Okay this is too ambitious and I don't think my lecturers willing to help me to that extent. Come on, lecturers got so many other jobs to do. I know la because I am a part of them. This is so trueeee..

The list of assignments that need to be done by subjects as follows:

1) Dissertation - Submit a full thesis + Viva.
    -> Sounds easy but this subject  required you to submit 80 pages of research paper or equal to 25 pages of literature reviews. I like to mention about literature review because to me that part is the most hardest point for students to do. But please trust me, this is the easiest part actually.

2) Graduate Seminar
   i) Weekly assignment ( Synthesis )
  ii) Weekly assignment of Timeline
 iii) Journal Review - 4 pages
iv) Concept Paper I - Crisis Communication
v) Concept Paper II - Choose other topic/approach from the list
vi) Conference / Presentation

3) Communication Technology
i) Journal Review
ii) Concept Paper
iii) Group Assignment - Case Study

4) Media Law
i) Individual Assignment
ii) Group Assignment

5) Telecommunication
i) Case Study
ii) Presentation

6) International Relations
i) Charlie Hebdo
ii) Altantuya Case Review
iii) International Effort - Concept Paper with a case study

All these assignments are on going works.

Okay that's all. Should I feeling down now?? Please answer. 

Sabbatical

Tuesday : 13-Oct-2015

It has been about two weeks I left City University College. Oh actually this is just for temporarily as I took sabbatical. I need to complete my master degree as soon as possible. That's all.

Life as a student is the best definition of happiness,freedom,peacefulness,perfection, and any synonymous meaning of it. I don't know why but this is what I need. Even though I won't have that stable financial to survive but yet this what I need for now.

Freedom without borders, you are only need to attend class, learning something new, learn a bunch of theories and terminologies, fuhh!! Apparently I am so master now. Don't ever fooling me, kids!

Btw, this semester will be my last battle, Insya Allah, I am going to complete what has been started since September 2014. One and half year working and studying is not an easy deal as you think, definitely. The time is very constraint, the road congested everyday, spending most of the time teaching(working),studying,doing assignments and spend only about 4 hours daily to sleep! Except weekend and semester breaks. Well, it is really stressed me out. I feel depressed, stressful, tension, messy,miserable,unmanageable,uncompleted etc, everyday. Everything is negative, well you know. Even though my pointer is not that bad, but tbh I don't know what I have learnt thru out of semesters. All is lost. Okay exaggerate.

I am so happy today because I know what I have learnt and what should I learn.I do hope, sabbatical is the right decision for now. Dear Allah, please ease my way, as it won't be that easier if you aren't will. 

The bad consequences of taking sabbatical is there no more salary out of corner for you. No money no talk, definitely. Even though it's sabbatical( study leave ) but for my condition it is unpaid. I'm not entitled, perhaps. Plus with the current economic downfall, every company has to struggle in ensure they stay breathing. If profit sounds like too ambitious, at least the company affords to cover the overhead cost. At least. Right and tight management process must be imposed, even though sometimes its super duper ridiculous. I don't want to talk more about my company because this entry is about me, not them. 

Btw, from the bottom of my heart and my deepest inquisition, I would like to thank a lot for giving me this opportunity to complete studies. I do believe after this I am more than value. Don't forget to raise my salary up...!! ;)

Okay then, tomorrow I have midterm test. Some revisions needed. Even though I know the questions will be so general and understand the concept well is the key, yet still I need to study again and.again because I am not genius dude! So study hard and smart is the only way for success.