Conceptualizing and Measuring How Employees and Organizations Manage Uncertainty

Abstract

The study of uncertainty is central to an understanding of organizational communication. This research investigates the organizational work climates that emerge from the way employees manage uncertainty as well as the way they perceive their organization manages uncertainty. The uncertainty management matrix (UMM) is presented as a conceptual framework, followed by three scale development studies. The article concludes with a variety of research questions to direct future communication research.

Keywords:

• Uncertainty Management Matrix
• Employee Uncertainty
• Uncertainty Scale Development
• Organizational Change
• Organizational Communication

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Phillip G. Clampitt

Phillip G. Clampitt is a Professor at the University of Wisconsin—Green Bay

M. Lee Williams

M. Lee Williams is a Professor at Texas State University—San Marcos