Business and Professional Communication Quarterly Jun 2023

Perpetuating Perceptions: Understanding the “Chaining” of a Common Training Narrative Beyond the Classroom

Robin Smith Mathis Kennesaw State University ; Philip J. Aust Kennesaw State University

Abstract

Workplace learning initiatives are influenced by perceptions, and negative perceptions hinder organizational innovation and productivity. This exploratory study presents an argument that messages shared among trainees regarding their training experiences shape such perceptions. The application of Symbolic Convergence Theory reveals two discursive narratives explaining trainees’ perceptions that are foundational for a desired rhetorical vision of training efforts. The findings reveal practical implications for teaching applied communication and instruction in the workplace training classroom. Further, exploring “backstage” workplace communication such as gossip, opinions, and perceptions sheds light on the intersection of communication, human resource development, and vision construction.

Journal
Business and Professional Communication Quarterly
Published
2023-06-01
DOI
10.1177/23294906221132840
CompPile
Open Access
Closed
Topics
Export
BibTeX RIS

Citation context

Cited by in this index (0)

No articles in this index cite this work.

References (68) · 7 in this index

  1. 10.1002/hrdq.21404
     ↗
  2. 10.1002/hrdq.21282
     ↗
  3. 10.1080/00335637409383220
     ↗
  4. 10.1080/17459435.2014.955593
     ↗
  5. 10.2307/293432
     ↗
Show all 68 →
  1. 10.1080/00335637309383163
     ↗
  2. 10.1080/00335637709383374
     ↗
  3. Bormann E. G. (1990)
    Small group communication: theory and practice
  4. 10.1080/10510979709368504
     ↗
  5. Brandenburg (2015)
    Testing the Recognition and Perception of Errors in Context
    Business and Professional Communication Quarterly
  6. 10.1002/hrdq.21308
     ↗
  7. 10.1177/1534484307299273
     ↗
  8. Burke L. A., Hutchins H. M. (2008). A study of best practices in training transfer and proposed model of tran…
     ↗
  9. 10.1080/13678860601170344
     ↗
  10. Charoensap-Kelly et al. (2016)
    Evaluation of a Soft Skills Training Program
    Business and Professional Communication Quarterly
  11. Cragan J. F. (1981)
    Applied communication research: A dramatistic approach
  12. 10.1080/00909889209365329
     ↗
  13. Creswell J. W. (2013)
    Qualitative inquiry and research design: Choosing among five approaches
  14. 10.1080/03634523.2014.934849
     ↗
  15. 10.1108/10878570610637885
     ↗
  16. 10.1080/10417949709373046
     ↗
  17. 10.1177/0018726700539005
     ↗
  18. 10.1002/hrdq.1243
     ↗
  19. 10.1002/hrdq.20086
     ↗
  20. Engstrom et al. (2017)
    Rhetorical Analysis of Fast-Growth Businesses’ Job Advertisements: Implications…
    Business and Professional Communication Quarterly
  21. Faylor N. R. (2008)
    Human Communication
  22. 10.1080/03634523.2016.1268697
     ↗
  23. Ferris K. L. (2018)
    Handbook of instructional communication: Rhetorical and relational perspectives
  24. Freeman M. (2017)
    Modes of thinking for qualitative data analysis
  25. 10.1080/03634529509378996
     ↗
  26. 10.1080/03634523.2018.1536271
     ↗
  27. Hansen H. (2020)
    Narrative change: How changing the story can transform society, business, and ourselves
  28. 10.1177/1049732316665344
     ↗
  29. 10.1177/2329488417743983
     ↗
  30. 10.1080/17459435.2016.1143386
     ↗
  31. 10.1108/ICT-04-2015-0029
     ↗
  32. 10.1177/002194360103800404
     ↗
  33. 10.1108/17465640710749108
     ↗
  34. Jones (2017)
    Rhetorical Narratives of Black Entrepreneurs: The Business of Race, Agency, and…
    Journal of Business and Technical Communication
  35. 10.1080/03634520802324116
     ↗
  36. Kelly et al. (1999)
    Narrativity and Professional Communication: Folktales and Community Meaning
    Journal of Business and Technical Communication
  37. Ketter P. (2020)
    T+D Talent Development
  38. 10.1002/hrdq.21203
     ↗
  39. 10.1080/1041794X.2014.981284
     ↗
  40. Lane D. R. (2018)
    Handbook of instructional communication: Rhetorical and relational perspectives
  41. 10.1016/0147-1767(85)90062-8
     ↗
  42. 10.1080/08824090802637023
     ↗
  43. Martin et al. (2018)
    Stories They Tell: The Rhetoric of Recruiting Independent Consultants
    Journal of Business and Technical Communication
  44. 10.1108/JWL-05-2020-0096
     ↗
  45. 10.1080/03634523.2018.1428761
     ↗
  46. Merriam S. B. (1999)
    Learning in adulthood
  47. Merriam S. B. (2016)
    Qualitative research: A guide to design and implementation
  48. Miles M. B. (1994)
    An expanded sourcebook: Qualitative data analysis
  49. Mottet T. P. (2006)
    Handbook of instructional communication: Rhetorical and relational perspectives
  50. 10.4135/9781412995658
     ↗
  51. Newstrom J. W. (1982)
    Training and Development Journal
  52. Patton M. Q. (1987)
    How to use qualitative methods in evaluation
  53. Patton M. Q. (2015)
    Qualitative research and evaluation methods
  54. Riessman C. K. (1993)
    Narrative analysis
  55. Saldaña J. (2021)
    The coding manual for qualitative researchers
  56. Sheffield (2020)
    Search Engine Optimization and Business Communication Instruction: Interviews W…
    Business and Professional Communication Quarterly
  57. 10.1016/j.enpol.2009.11.081
     ↗
  58. Strauss A. (1990)
    Basics of qualitative research: Grounded theory procedures and techniques
  59. 10.1080/03634523.2019.1646919
     ↗
  60. 10.1080/03634520701573284
     ↗
  61. Suter B. (2009)
    Kentucky Journal of Communication
  62. 10.1002/pa.72
     ↗
  63. 10.1080/03634520801930095
     ↗
CrossRef global citation count: 1 View in citation network → Build reading path →

Related articles

  1. Business and Professional Communication Quarterly May 2026
    Andrew Carnegie and the Rhetorical History of Business and Professional Communication ↗
    Joe Edward Hatfield
    rhetorical criticism teacher development professional writing archival research
  2. Prompt: A Journal of Academic Writing Assignments Jan 2026
    A Murder Most Technical: Gamification, AI, and Rhetorical Genre Studies in the Technical Writing Classroom ↗
    Justin Cook
    rhetorical criticism genre theory writing pedagogy service learning teacher development argument collaborative writing technical communication professional writing
  3. Pedagogy Oct 2025
    Contributors ↗
    modern rhetorical theory rhetorical criticism genre theory cultural rhetorics first-year composition writing pedagogy advanced composition creative writing writing across the curriculum graduate education two-year college service learning teacher development technical communication professional writing labor and working conditions archival research multimodality artificial intelligence literacy studies race and writing gender and writing disability studies literary studies editorial matter
  4. Business and Professional Communication Quarterly Sep 2025
    Articulating Academic Consulting as a Pathway for Faculty Development and Career Satisfaction ↗
    Rose Helens-Hart; Jenna Haugen
    rhetorical criticism teacher development professional writing qualitative research
  5. The Peer Review Sep 2025
    Moving Against the Grain: Combining Writing Center Theory and In-House Editing Services to Create a Graduate Writing Center ↗
    Brian Harrell; Brook Wyers; Craig Theissen
    rhetorical criticism composition theory writing pedagogy graduate education teacher development collaborative writing writing centers peer tutoring professional writing labor and working conditions online writing instruction multilingual writers grammar and mechanics editorial matter