Business and Professional Communication Quarterly

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March 2026

  1. Charismatic Leadership Communication: A Finnish Perspective
    Abstract

    This study examines how information workers perceive charismatic communication in Finnish knowledge-intensive organizations. Based on 10 semi-structured interviews across IT firms, government agencies, and financial institutions conducted in 2014–2015, it identifies six dimensions of charismatic communication that emerged inductively through thematic analysis: authority, approachability, character, aspiration, integrity, and intelligence. Findings suggest that charismatic leaders combine confidence with warmth, emotionally engage followers, and adjust their style to different contexts. The research contributes to leadership studies by offering a perception-based understanding of charisma as a multidimensional and situational phenomenon in a Nordic cultural context. While the small, purposefully selected sample limits generalizability, the study provides rich qualitative insights into how charismatic communication manifests in flat, egalitarian organizational cultures that differ markedly from the Anglo-American contexts dominating existing research.

    doi:10.1177/23294906261426273
  2. Role of Experiential Learning Program on Business Writing Skills of Management Students
    Abstract

    Purpose: Writing has been identified as an important skill. Business writing refers to the form of writing that is used to communicate in formal settings in various corporations and organizations. A number of research studies have identified writing as a crucial skill that needs to be developed by students. The purpose of the study is therefore to understand how an experiential learning module on business writing can improve the email-writing and report-writing skills of management postgraduates. Design/Methodology/Approach: The study uses an experimental research methodology based on experiential learning pedagogy to obtain the results of the intervention on the business writing skills of the management postgraduate students. The module was developed by the researcher and then was taught to the students through the online platform Zoom. Pretest, posttest, and delayed posttest analysis was conducted to find the impact of the intervention. The students were evaluated by an industry expert to avoid bias as they were trained by the researcher. Findings: The results of the study indicated that the intervention had a significant impact on the business writing skills of the participants. The results of the component analysis also indicated a large effect on the content, persuasive abilities, lateral thinking abilities, and the interpersonal skills of the participants in written communication. The analysis of the test scores revealed that an initial training based on the experiential learning methods can have a long-term impact on the improvement of the skills of the students, as the delayed posttest results were more than the posttest results. Originality/value: The study will be beneficial to educators, trainers, as well as students in understanding how experiential learning can impact the business writing skills of the students.

    doi:10.1177/23294906241228244
  3. Book Review: Negotiation and Mediation: A Communication Approach JandtF. (2024). Negotiation and Mediation: A Communication Approach. San Diego, CA: Cognella Academic Publishing, 302 pp.
    doi:10.1177/23294906251379661
  4. Transforming Networking Through Positive Communication: A Pathway to Professional Growth
    Abstract

    This article reframes professional networking through the lens of positive communication, arguing that authentic, value-driven relationship building enhances both personal well-being and professional growth. Drawing on positive psychology, emotional intelligence, and moral development, it highlights how empathy, gratitude, and identity alignment transform networking from a transactional act into a relational, self-actualizing practice. The article offers a pedagogical framework for instructors, including a multisession unit to help students internalize and practice positive communication principles. Ultimately, this approach fosters deeper, more fulfilling connections that empower students to become confident, ethical professionals capable of sustaining meaningful, high-quality relationships throughout their careers.

    doi:10.1177/23294906251406934
  5. Selections From the ABC 2025 Annual International Conference, Long Beach, California, USA: Classroom Activities for Teaching Career Readiness Skills in the Business Communication Classroom
    Abstract

    This article presents a curated collection of nine teaching innovations presented at the Association for Business Communication 90th conference in Long Beach, California, as well as online, in October 2025. These My Favorite Assignment (MFA) presenters demonstrated various activities in helping students prepare for their careers and develop their professional skills. This My Favorite Assignment 33rd edition introduces readers to a wide variety of classroom-ready ideas that integrate career readiness tasks. Teaching support materials—instructions to students, stimulus materials, slides, rubrics, frequently asked questions, links, and sample student projects—are downloadable from the Association for Business Communication website.

    doi:10.1177/23294906251406530
  6. Bridging Positive Communication and Improvisation to Promote Positive Communication Skills Development
    Abstract

    This article looks at how I successfully redesigned a business communication course to support the development of students’ interpersonal and team communication as well as negotiation skills through a strong focus on positive communication and improvisation. The article demonstrates that building a course around Mirivel’s (2014) positive communication model and using improvisational techniques in learning activities can effectively support students’ business communication skills development. The article provides instructors with concrete course modules and activities that can be used in similar courses.

    doi:10.1177/23294906251406937
  7. Integrating Mediated Reflexivity in the Classroom to Build Positive Communication and Well-Being
    Abstract

    We address postpandemic student stress by exploring the integration of mediated-reflexivity assignments to foster positive communication and enhance well-being. The three-part assignment—student reflection, instructor feedback, and final student response—builds on critical reflexivity and positive communication principles. Findings suggest that this assignment improves student engagement, retention, and critical thinking. Students reported a deeper understanding of course concepts and improved real-life application. Instructors benefit from connecting personally with students, adjusting lesson plans based on reflections, and fostering an inclusive, supportive classroom environment. The technique offers a scalable, flexible approach to enhance student learning and well-being.

    doi:10.1177/23294906251406938

February 2026

  1. Book Review: Artificial Intelligence for Strategic Communication SutherlandK. E. (2025). Artificial Intelligence for Strategic Communication. Palgrave Macmillan, 483 pp.
    doi:10.1177/23294906261423373
  2. Feedback-Only AI for Writing Instruction: A Constrained-Generative Tool That Preserves Authorship
    Abstract

    This study evaluates a “feedback-only,” constrained-generative AI tool designed to support revision without generating or rewriting student text. StoryCoach was developed for a business communication elective and grounded in cognitive apprenticeship with principles of feedback literacy. The tool generated structured feedback: one strength, one opportunity, and one reflective question per submission. Analysis of 57 paired drafts showed significant gains in feature-specific rhetorical execution, with vividness as the primary quantitative indicator (Cohen’s d  = 1.39), supported by independent reader judgments and student reflections. Findings demonstrate that constrained-generative AI can function as a pedagogical partner that strengthens rhetorical awareness and preserves authorship integrity.

    doi:10.1177/23294906251414835
  3. Techno-Social Imbrications for Efficient Online Media Appropriation: Insights from Industry
    Abstract

    This article is a case study dealing with virtual communication experiences of the Indian executives engaged in remote work using online media during the pandemic phase. The author employs qualitative research methodology of ethnography by using a questionnaire circulated online to garner descriptive data regarding virtual communication from Indian executives in various corporate roles who had to take recourse to full-time virtual communication channels to continue their work. The data obtained from a longitudinal study of 12 months spanning from March 2021 to March 2022 was coded with an objective to plot the experiential spectrum of corporate managers using media richness theory and a psychobiological model, as online communication became a singular medium to process all kinds of conversations ranging from routine to negative and persuasive. It became the only tool for leadership execution as well as leadership enhancement compelling corporate heads to improvise media customization methods expeditiously to overcome the limiting constraints of its intrinsic lean outlet. After analyzing the data, the author concludes that virtual communication has now become an integral part of contemporary corporate communication ecosystem owing to the ‘best practices’ that managers invented during their ‘remote work only’ period when they were thrown into the virtual space with its insular gamut of applicability. Remote work also coerced executives to discover the latent potential of this communication channel, which was not apparent when this medium existed only as an elective channel in the ‘plurally channelled’ pre-pandemic work environments. The study provides a comprehensive repository of virtual communication techniques not just for the consumption of management classroom embedding industry inputs into the theoretical curriculum but also for corporate executives who began their careers in an environment of ‘channel sovereignty’ in the post-pandemic setups. The case study, thus, acts as a communication lab presenting online communication pathology and its incubation in industry environments. The author posits that the communication experimentation done during the remote work phase of the pandemic has changed the status of this medium in the realm of management communication from debilitating to dynamic irreversibly.

    doi:10.1177/23294906251414837

January 2026

  1. Business Communication as Cultural Text: The Use of Student-Made Online Advertisements in Teaching Intercultural Communicative Competence
    Abstract

    This mixed-methods study investigates the development of intercultural communicative competence (ICC) among Bangladeshi university students through the creation of online advertisements for products like tea, kettles, and mango drinks. Grounded in the frameworks of Ertay and Gilanlioglu’s multidimensional ICC scale, Kress and van Leeuwen’s social semiotics, and Dooly’s asynchronous interculturality, the research examines how student-made ads serve as cultural texts that manifest evolving ICC. Quantitative results from 90 participants revealed significant disparities in self-assessed ICC, with Attitude scoring highest (71%) and Awareness lowest (54%). Longitudinal analysis of 60 students showed Language Appropriateness improved most (37%, p  < 0.01), while Visual Cultural Cues showed minimal gains (18%, p  = 0.08), indicating a cultural bias in visual literacy development. Pedagogically, advertisement creation supported by a structured ICC rubric yielded significantly higher competence gains (29%) than case studies or ad creation alone. Qualitative findings illuminated the challenges students faced in negotiating “glocal” identities and the emotional labor of cultural mediation. The study concludes that student-generated advertisements are potent pedagogical artifacts for ICC development but require tailored, critically reflective scaffolding to address contextual biases and effectively prepare students for the demands of global digital business communication.

    doi:10.1177/23294906251408418

December 2025

  1. From Chatbot to Classroom: Developing Critical Thinking and Evaluative Judgment With AI
    Abstract

    A customized chatbot and structured interactions with ChatGPT were integrated into professional business communication pedagogy to foster critical reading, evaluative judgment and independent writing skills. The iterative-experiential learning feature of AI was utilized. AI (the chatbot and ChatGPT) was conceptualized as an assistant, coach, and provocateur in learning rather than a shortcut to bypass effort. The effectiveness of the intervention was explored through students’ reflections and learning experiences. The findings suggest that AI interventions for developing critical reading and writing skills can enhance traditional pedagogies and the learning curve. Implications and limitations of the study were also discussed.

    doi:10.1177/23294906251399552
  2. Complexity of Purpose Revisited: AI-Assisted Cognition in Professional Communication
    Abstract

    With ChatGPT’s public release, artificial intelligence (AI) has had a profound effect on professional communication. Although clearly beneficial in manipulating large volumes of information, AI cannot provide the insights into each company’s uniqueness—its culture, organizational dynamics, and operational controls—factors defining the character, precision, and tailoring demanded in professional communications. Those attributes depend on the creativity, reasoning, and theory-based causal logic of human cognition. By reexamining the process of developing professional communications, from discovering embedded purposes through final product, we can demonstrate to students how AI can be applied to encourage creativity and promote the powers of human intellect.

    doi:10.1177/23294906251399540
  3. Something to Talk About! Testing the Antecedents and Consequences of Workplace Romance in Indian Hotel industry
    Abstract

    The present study attempts to understand and establish the interplay between workplace romance and workplace gossip through the lens o McClelland’s theory of need in the context of the Indian hospitality industry. The data were collected from 216 hotel employees using a time-lagged design. PLS-SEM was used to test the hypothesized associations. The results indicated a positive association between workplace romance and workplace gossip. The study discusses several motives for people to engage in romance, resulting in increased gossip. Workplace romance emerged as a significant mediator between the antecedents (love, loneliness, career growth, organizational politics) and the consequence (workplace gossip). There is a dearth of studies empirically studying the linkages and antecedents of workplace gossip and workplace romance, especially in the context of the Indian hospitality sector. The present study attempts to address this gap by understanding the hypothesized associations.

    doi:10.1177/23294906231225136
  4. Harry Potter and the Artificially Intelligent Wand: Learning Team Communication in a Simulation Environment
    Abstract

    Communication scholars have done an excellent work in creating business simulations to engage the students in learning communication concepts. However, more can be done to foster interactive business and professional communication pedagogy. Instructors must continue to devise new ways to enable the students to apply business communication concepts. In response to these calls, this article presents an example of a simulation based within the Harry Potter universe that emphasizes the ways team communication and proposal presentation manifest themselves in business speaking practices. This simulation enables students to engage with team communication issues by understanding persuasion and influence as an essential part of business and professional communication.

    doi:10.1177/23294906231223602
  5. Is Your Résumé/Textbook Up-To-Date? An Audit of AI ATS Résumé Instruction
    Abstract

    Businesses increasingly use Artificial Intelligence (AI) Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to screen job applicants’ résumés. A summative content analysis auditing how 18 business communication, business English, and technical communication textbooks cover résumés and AI ATS found a lack of consensus. The study identified the challenge of offering specific advice on emerging AI technology in textbooks. The article recommends writing and teaching practice changes when discussing emerging technology and creating or using textbook content.

    doi:10.1177/23294906231223101
  6. Weakness? What Weakness? Self-Reflection in Business Communication in a Digital Context
    Abstract

    Self-reflection is expected in business communication teaching, but e-learning has been argued to create an illusion of direct experience as social presence. This study explores how participants’ negotiation of personal agency is constructed in a digital, asynchronic context. Using data collected from a digital classroom of a European business university, I show how participants enact specific strategies in their presentation of self. My aim is twofold: first, to explore how participants negotiate their social identities in a virtual community, and second, to better understand what both educators and enterprise can do to encourage successful dialogue and further humanize digital context.

    doi:10.1177/23294906231213633
  7. Selections From the ABC 2024 Annual International Conference, Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA: Dynamic Ideas for Teaching Skills for Working in Groups in the Business Communication Classroom
    Abstract

    This article presents a curated collection of 11 teaching innovations presented at the Association for Business Communication 89th conference in Tulsa, Oklahoma, as well as online, in October 2024. These MFA presenters demonstrated teaching ideas specifically on improving students’ skills in working in groups. This My Favorite Assignment 32nd edition introduces readers to these classroom approaches in teaching skills involving group dynamics in business contexts. Teaching support materials—instructions to students, stimulus materials, slides, rubrics, frequently asked questions, links, and sample student projects—are downloadable from the Association for Business Communication website.

    doi:10.1177/23294906251356671
  8. Rethinking Teacher-Student Communication in the AI Era
    Abstract

    This article examines how artificial intelligence is transforming instructor-student communication and student evaluation in higher education. By comparing traditional and AI-mediated communication practices, the study synthesizes current literature on opportunities, challenges, and ethical considerations. The analysis highlights the need for digital literacy, emotionally intelligent AI tools, and balanced pedagogical strategies. Practical and theoretical propositions are provided to guide educators in leveraging AI while preserving human-centered teaching values.

    doi:10.1177/23294906251356672

September 2025

  1. The Interrelation of Politeness, Culture, and Speech Acts in Multilingual Corporate Communication
    Abstract

    This article examines the relationship between politeness, culture, and speech acts in multilingual corporate communication. It emphasizes the role of second language acquisition (SLA) practices in teaching politeness strategies, with a focus on explicit instruction, immersion programs, and authentic language practice. The article also offers suggestions to enhance communication in such environments, using Luxembourg as an example of a multicultural business environment and highlighting the importance of understanding cultural norms and expectations surrounding politeness. By examining the interplay between these factors, this study aims to contribute to improved communication practices in multilingual corporate settings.

    doi:10.1177/23294906231176516
  2. The Necessity for Advancing Supportive Professional Communication in the Workplace
    Abstract

    Managers who are seen as approachable by their employees are the key drivers of building an excellent organizational workplace where supportive communication is available for the employees, especially during difficult situations. Regrettably, not all managers are approachable and communicate supportively. In such situations, the result can be a dysfunctional work environment that demoralizes employees’ attitudes, causing organizational work productivity to deteriorate. Our study explores the factors related to unapproachable organizational managers who do not use supportive communication. We employed a qualitative statistical approach to interview 155 professional employees from various industries representing different countries

    doi:10.1177/23294906231206097
  3. Selections From the ABC 2024 Annual International Conference, Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA: Dynamic Ideas for Teaching Speaking Skills in the Business Communication Classroom
    Abstract

    This article presents a curated collection of 12 teaching innovations presented at the Association for Business Communication 89th conference in Tulsa, Oklahoma, as well as online, in October 2024. These MFA presenters demonstrated teaching ideas specifically on improving students’ speaking skills. This My Favorite Assignment 32nd edition introduces readers to these classroom approaches in teaching speaking skills in business contexts. Teaching support materials—instructions to students, stimulus materials, slides, rubrics, frequently asked questions, links, and sample student projects—are downloadable from the Association for Business Communication website.

    doi:10.1177/23294906251340972

August 2025

  1. Business Communication Research: Trends and Themes From Dual Bibliometric Analysis
    Abstract

    This study presents a dual bibliometric analysis of business communication research. Study 1 analyzes 135 publications from the Web of Science (1993-2024) to map global trends in communication and pedagogy within business education. Study 2 focuses on 328 articles from Business and Professional Communication Quarterly , offering journal-specific insights. Key themes include soft skills, AI literacy, digital communication, and experiential learning. The study highlights how global trends are reflected and extended within a leading journal. Findings offer valuable implications for educators, researchers, and curriculum developers seeking to align communication instruction with evolving academic and professional demands.

    doi:10.1177/23294906251358384
  2. Welcome to the (Email) Machine: A Study of Chronemics and Source Cues in Managerial Communication
    Abstract

    This study assesses the potential use of artificial intelligence-programmed managers in the workplace through two experiments that manipulated source cues and time cues. Data were collected before the Novel Coronavirus pandemic and then 3 years after the pandemic’s outbreak when many businesses had returned to normal operations and ChatGPT had been released. Results held across the two experiments. Neither time nor source automation cues had an impact on the affective impressions participants formed of the simulated email exchange. Attention check data further suggests time cues may no longer be a relevant predictor of impression formation in workplace communication.

    doi:10.1177/23294906251352798
  3. The Role of AI in Facilitating Dialogic Communication: Insights From Kenyan PR Practitioners
    Abstract

    The emergence of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies is significantly impacting public relations (PR) practices, especially in the area of organization-public dialogues. This study explores how Kenyan PR practitioners perceive AI’s influence on their ability to achieve mutuality and openness, which are core principles of effective communication. Through in-depth interviews, the findings reveal that AI is regarded as a valuable tool for transforming dialogues across both online and offline channels, indicating a paradigm shift in how practitioners facilitate communication. However, concerns surrounding AI-generated content, data security transparency, and the responsible application of AI technology also arose, potentially affecting trust between organizations and their publics. The implications of these findings are discussed.

    doi:10.1177/23294906251352779
  4. Understanding Negative and Positive Gossip in the Workplace
    Abstract

    The social practice of workplace gossip has many implications for organizations and members. By using LMX theory, this study investigated positive and negative gossip types and their association with relational quality with supervisors and coworkers. Patterns of findings suggest a contagious quality of both forms of workplace gossip, such that positive supervisor gossip is highly related to positive coworker gossip; meanwhile, negative supervisor gossip is highly related to negative coworker gossip. Additionally, this study demonstrated a positive relationship between LMX and positive gossip as well as a positive relationship between perceived LMX injustice and negative gossip. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.

    doi:10.1177/23294906251352778
  5. Corporate Social Responsibility Communication on X: The Spanish Energy Sector
    Abstract

    This article examines whether energy companies use corporate social responsibility communication on X to manage their reputation. A total of 1,161,538 messages directed at the six Spanish energy companies listed in MERCO and 568,677 messages issued by them were analyzed using natural language processing, network theory, and statistical analysis. A predominantly informative, unidirectional, and defensive communication style was observed. However, positive emotions, joy and surprise, are positively associated with reputation, whereas negative emotions, fear and sadness, are negatively correlated. Social media, as a reflection of society, enables companies to establish communication strategies aligned with stakeholder demands and to ensure their effectiveness.

    doi:10.1177/23294906251352777

June 2025

  1. Determining Crisis Communication Strategies Based on Country-of-Origin Cues
    Abstract

    The article investigates how crisis response strategy is influenced by pre-crisis reputation and country of origin during (COO) during crisis. A quasi-experimental study was undertaken to test this influence in Indian versus Non-Indian countries. Countries with positive national identity can withstand the crisis situation better than one with a negative or neutral identity. Based on the COO, companies can choose a less accommodative crisis response strategy like diminishing rather than rebuilding to quell the crisis impact. It provides an understanding of how crisis managers can select the most appropriate response strategy during crisis.

    doi:10.1177/23294906251340964
  2. How Action Research and Action Learning Bridge Research and Practice Gap
    Abstract

    This article argues that action research and action learning are qualitative methods that can bridge the research and practice gap. Grounded in realist perspective, action and reflection are its dominant features. Action research enables research participants to build capacity and work collaboratively to solve the complex problems and build knowledge. It brings everyone to the same place to understand each other’s experiences and values in the world they live. Then we discussed one specific context of action learning for leadership development in small and medium businesses. We made this preposition that conducting qualitative research in the form of action learning can build transformational leadership development skills in them. Transformational leadership is vital to the sustainability of the organization, especially in small and medium businesses. It is the combination of action learning and transformational leadership that can help businesses reach their optimal potential in productivity. Leaders in the company have significant influence on an organization, where poor management and leadership can have irreparable consequences. It is not only important to have the infrastructure in place, but the right personnel, especially management, which is vital to the organization.

    doi:10.1177/23294906251342526
  3. Towards a Survey of Differences in Preferred Meeting Styles Across Cultures
    Abstract

    Meetings are an essential part of organizational life everywhere. Although research has shown that meeting styles differ among cultures, studies focusing on a broad set of data to compare the prevalent meeting styles systematically are rare, partly because of the high academic standards required by researchers. There is, however, much informal data on meeting styles aimed at practitioners, which despite its shortcomings, can be useful. The information provided is largely based on the experiences made by internationally active businesspeople. Under the author’s supervision, students of the author’s business school analyzed a great number of descriptions of meeting practices to investigate in what respects meetings differ. The results were combined with earlier research and general situational context models to come to a meeting-specific model that enables a systematic comparison of meeting practices. This model can be applied for educational as well as for practical purposes.

    doi:10.1177/23294906231200179
  4. Graphs Usage for Impression Management Purposes: The Case of Canadian Oil and Gas Corporations
    Abstract

    This study explores graphical depictions in annual and corporate social responsibility reports. The 10 largest Canadian corporations in the oil and gas industry were selected to focus on graph selectivity, enhancement, and distortions as impression management strategies. The results show evidence of selectivity and enhancement. However, unlike previous studies on graphical distortions, there is no evidence of favorable distortions in graphs. The graphs reported are well depicted and not distorted, indicating that this industry is rather cautious in its reporting. Potential explanations and reasons why this might be the case are offered. This study suggests the concept of “plausible deniability” in the context of graph manipulations.

    doi:10.1177/23294906231191729
  5. Selections From the ABC 2024 Annual International Conference, Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA: Dynamic Ideas for Teaching Business Writing Skills in the Classroom
    Abstract

    This article presents a curated collection of eight teaching innovations presented at the Association for Business Communication 89th conference Tulsa, Oklahoma, as well as online, in October 2024. These MFA presenters demonstrated teaching ideas specifically on improving students’ writing skills, and this My Favorite Assignment 32nd edition introduces readers to these classroom approaches in teaching business writing. Teaching support materials—instructions to students, stimulus materials, slides, rubrics, frequently asked questions, links, and sample student projects—are downloadable from the Association for Business Communication website.

    doi:10.1177/23294906251319915

May 2025

  1. The Cure for Talking: Transactional Analysis and AI to Optimize Executive Communication
    Abstract

    This article presents “The Cure for Talking,” a pioneering conceptual framework that blends Transactional Analysis (TA) with Artificial Intelligence (AI), to produce a TA-AI Bot designed to optimize executive communication. Here, the medium of interest is written emails. The TA-AI Bot aims to change behavior through the reinforcement mechanism of repetition. The feedback system of the TA-AI Bot is designed to enhance users’ self-awareness and communication quality, that is, identification and shifting of ego states to approximate better communication; and recognition of rhetorical appeals that typify their exchanges with others. Validation of “The Cure for Talking” will require iterative research.

    doi:10.1177/23294906251336720

April 2025

  1. B-School to Board Room: Connecting Online MBA Collaboration to Career Readiness Skills
    Abstract

    This article features a grounded theory study that explored communication in online Master of Business Administration (MBA) group work, with an emphasis on skills transferable to remote professional collaboration after graduation. Data were collected from nine online MBA students through individual reflection documents and a focus group discussion. These data were analyzed and revealed themes about the importance of agreeing on not just norms and resources but also normative actions to facilitate online collaboration. Findings led to recommendations for designing online group assignments that enhance communication skills during online collaboration—skills that are becoming increasingly integral to professional success.

    doi:10.1177/23294906251329836
  2. Gendered Persuasive Language in Business Negotiations: A Case Study of Shark Tank US
    Abstract

    This study examines the use of persuasive language by male and female entrepreneurs in high-stakes negotiation settings, focusing on gendered communication strategies. With a particular emphasis on Aristotle’s modes of persuasion (Ethos, Pathos, and Logos), the research analyzes 44 negotiation conversations from Shark Tank US , Season 11, using a quantitative approach. Data were processed with SPSS to assess gender differences in persuasive strategies. The findings reveal significant gendered patterns: male entrepreneurs predominantly used Logos as a way to emphasize on logical reasoning and evidence to persuade investors, while female entrepreneurs more often employed Pathos, sparking emotional appeals to build empathy and engagement. These differences are discussed in light of social constructivist theories of language, which suggest that gendered communication reflects broader societal power dynamics. The study highlights the challenges women face in balancing authority with warmth in negotiations, a double bind identified in earlier research. This research contributes to our understanding of how gender influences persuasive strategies in entrepreneurial contexts and offers implications for promoting more equitable communication in business settings. It also suggests that future research should further explore how these findings can be applied to support female entrepreneurs in overcoming communication barriers and achieving greater success in negotiation and leadership roles.

    doi:10.1177/23294906251327947

March 2025

  1. Cultural Intelligence and Trust in Global Virtual Teams
    Abstract

    A lack of cultural intelligence (CQ) creates a lack of trust in global virtual teams (GVTs). Study findings examine how leaders demonstrate CQ, trust in GVTs, and provide strategies for organizations. This qualitative single-case study explores how leaders of US-based GVTs in the financial industry demonstrate CQ and trust and strategies to develop trust. This study applies the social interaction theory, uncovering group identity and behaviors. Participants included GVT members and leaders having at least 1 year of experience on a GVT. The emerging themes were demonstrating CQ, demonstrating trust, and strategies to build trust.

    doi:10.1177/23294906231179915
  2. Selections from the 2024 Case Writing Competition: Business Communication Case and Student Example
    Abstract

    As part of the Association for Business Communication Student Case Competition, this article features a case study written by ABC member Rachel Dolechek. The case was blind reviewed and selected by the ABC Student Competition Committee. ABC membership utilized the case in their classrooms throughout 2024 and submitted top student examples for the 2024 Case Writing Competition. A submission from Addie Hileman, sponsored by Kelley O’Brien, was selected as the top student case writer after evaluation by the ABC Student Competition Committee and a marketing business professional. The student’s message serves as a teaching example within this article.

    doi:10.1177/23294906241302600
  3. English Communication Skills in International Business: Industry Expectations Versus University Preparation
    Abstract

    In the globalized labor market, skills gaps between industry expectations and university preparation are becoming more prevalent. English communication skills (ECS) are vital soft skills in all workplaces, particularly in international business, where English is commonly used as a lingua franca. This case study examined the nexus between academia and industry regarding the instruction of ECS and their applicability to meet the requirements of the globalized business landscape by collecting data from 43 personnel in the international ready-made garment (RMG) industry in Bangladesh. The research reveals that English courses in higher education do not adequately address the communication needs of the international RMG business, which requires practical experience in the workplace, trade-specific vocabulary, intelligibility, and clarity rather than a high level of fluency. The study recommends promoting the teaching of English for general business purposes in Bangladesh by integrating theoretical and practical learning in the classroom and workplace as part of the curriculum.

    doi:10.1177/23294906231184814
  4. Selections From the ABC 2024 Annual International Conference, Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA: A Slick Set of Artificial Intelligence (AI) Classroom Ideas to Fuel Your Teaching
    Abstract

    This article presents a curated collection of nine teaching innovations presented at the Association for Business Communication 89th conference in the “oil capital of the world,” Tulsa, Oklahoma, as well as online, in October 2024. Many of the MFA presenters demonstrated how AI can be used, integrated, and analyzed in business communication classes. This My Favorite Assignment 35th edition introduces readers to a wide variety of classroom-ready ideas that integrate AI. Teaching support materials—instructions to students, stimulus materials, slides, rubrics, frequently asked questions, links, and sample student projects—are downloadable from the Association for Business Communication website.

    doi:10.1177/23294906241308060

January 2025

  1. AI-Based Writing Assistants in Business Education: A Cross-Institutional Study on Student Perspectives
    Abstract

    In a cross-institutional study, this article shares research findings about business student perceptions and experiences using an automated writing assistant program based on traditional artificial intelligence. Using a mixed-methods approach, we share student responses to Grammarly’s suggested revisions and provide insight into students’ confidence levels and correctness in workplace written communication. Finally, this study concludes with a discussion of the implications of this work related to business communication education and research, as well as possibilities for the future.

    doi:10.1177/23294906241310415

December 2024

  1. AI Integration for Communication Skills: A Conceptual Framework in Education and Business
    Abstract

    This article presents a conceptual framework for integrating artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance communication skills in educational and business settings. By examining the dual role of AI as both an enabler and a challenge, the article highlights AI’s capacity for personalized learning, skill development, and efficiency in communication tasks. It also addresses potential issues such as academic integrity, data reliability, and ethical considerations. This framework aims to guide institutions and organizations in adopting AI responsibly, ensuring that human-centered communication remains integral to AI-enhanced environments.

    doi:10.1177/23294906241302000
  2. Ethical Authorship and Moral Motivation: The Key to Ethical AI Use
    Abstract

    This article argues that ethical authorship is essential for the ethical use of artificial intelligence (AI). It examines tensions that historical understandings of authorship have created as instructors and students alike navigate AI technologies. Given these tensions, this article proposes a definition of “ethical authorship” and uses de Colle and Werhane’s moral motivation framework to outline how instructors can use ethical authorship and moral motivation to encourage students’ ethical AI use.

    doi:10.1177/23294906241259153
  3. Ethics and AI Assemblages: A Heuristic Analysis of Undergraduate Business Student Perspectives
    Abstract

    Drawing upon a framework of “assemblage thinking,” this article offers an approach to considering artificial intelligence (AI) and ethics that seeks to think relationally across the positions occupied as educators and students at a business school. To complement discussions of assemblage and examinations of ethics in the AI era, we draw upon the perspectives of a relatively understudied population in this conversation—students themselves navigating AI and writing within a business-focused context—and extend assemblage thinking to capture important thought toward the future of business communication, pedagogy, ethics, and AI.

    doi:10.1177/23294906241253198

November 2024

  1. Giving Values a “Voice” in Business Communication Education
    Abstract

    I recommend that teachers of professional communication (e.g., business communication) incorporate into their courses the Giving Voice to Values (GVV) curriculum developed by Mary Gentile. Adding GVV materials to a course in professional communication would add an ethical emphasis to the course or supplement an existing one. GVV materials also provide communication teachers with excellent opportunities to introduce (or expand) attention to rhetorical decision making. Furthermore, GVV materials provide an opportunity for cross-disciplinary cooperation among teachers of business communication and other business disciplines.

    doi:10.1177/23294906241299106
  2. Aesop’s Fables as a Financial Planning Communication Tool
    Abstract

    Professional financial planners spend an increasing proportion of their time counseling clients. Given the complexities of financial planning, effective planner-client communication is critical. Storytelling has been an effective communication device for millennia because it engages the listener’s reasoning, emotions, and imagination. Many of Aesop’s fables are effective storytelling tools for financial communication, as the morals of these fables have easy application to financial planning and management. This article demonstrates the use of four example fables in financial planning communication and provides a list of 27 additional finance-related fables combined with financial keywords for application.

    doi:10.1177/23294906241299102

October 2024

  1. Teaching Professional Use of Social Networking Sites Through a Hypothetical Case Study
    Abstract

    Organizations use social networking sites (SNSs) to create collaborative communication channels among employees, consumers, and clients. Organizations expect future employees to be well trained in using SNSs. However, students do not accept SNSs as a professional channel of communication since they use SNSs for fun and socializing. A hypothetical case study was developed to explain the consequences of the unmindful use of SNSs in a professional context. The article discusses the need to use a case study in this context. The effectiveness of the case is assessed through a survey questionnaire. Recommendations for BPC faculty for using the case are also discussed.

    doi:10.1177/23294906241286138

August 2024

  1. What We Do in the Shadows: Workplace Romance Nondisclosure and Employee Well-being
    Abstract

    Research suggests that the nondisclosure of relationships may cause adverse psychological stress; however, no studies have empirically examined the impact of secret workplace romances (WRs) on employee well-being. This article uses the communication privacy management theory as a framework to test workplace romance nondisclosure on job and life satisfaction. Relationship nondisclosure predicted differences in both projected job and life satisfaction. Additionally, individual differences (i.e., gender, age, work experience, conscientiousnes and emotional stability) were tested as moderators of the relationship between WRs and job and life satisfaction. Implications for practitioners (e.g., communication training) about WRs on employee outcomes are discussed.

    doi:10.1177/23294906241264515

June 2024

  1. Examining Social Presence, Team Cohesion, and Collaborative Writing in Online Teams
    Abstract

    In a case study involving three asynchronous online professional writing courses, this research investigates students’ abilities to establish a social presence and build team cohesion via collaborative, team-based writing projects. Using the Community of Inquiry (COI) framework, this study is situated in the understanding that teaching and learning in higher education are not about the mere transmission of knowledge but that “teaching and learning are inherently interactive” as the terms of “community” and “inquiry” used in the framework suggest. Prior researchers have also established a clear connection between one element of the COI framework— social presence and student satisfaction in online courses. Findings from this study indicate participation in collaborative team assignments contributes to team cohesion and positively affects students’ ability to establish their social presence within online environments as well as transfer their knowledge to other contexts.

    doi:10.1177/23294906231156138
  2. Using Scenario-Based Assessment in the Development of Students’ Digital Communication Skills and Professional Competence
    Abstract

    In this discussion, we consider how the use of scenario-based assessment (SBA) can provide students with a way of developing the digital communication skills that business communication research has found they will need for the workplace, alongside other aspects of professional competence. This is because SBA can be employed to engage learners in the same types of authentic performance tasks in a situated context that they will likely encounter in their professional lives. In addition, SBA can also be used to maximize the integrity of an assignment by harnessing the positive effects of using generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools, while simultaneously mitigating against the misappropriation of AI by students. SBA allows learners to practice both their digital, and other, communication skills as well as contributing to their understanding of professional practice, and it also provides instructors with a powerful form of formative assessment. Our aim is to put forward a motivating and effective way of helping our students to develop the skills that they will need to become successful communicators in a postpandemic professional world.

    doi:10.1177/23294906241240247

April 2024

  1. Limitations of ELP Tests in Predicting Academic Achievement in the Middle East: A Case Study of the University of Sharjah’s EFL Students Majoring in Business
    Abstract

    This article discusses the limitations of language proficiency tests in predicting academic performance among business students at the University of Sharjah. It focuses on EFL students who had been instructed in Arabic before joining the university. Using a regression analysis model, the article demonstrates that students’ weakness in writing proficiency cannot be predicted by standardized tests such as the TOEFL and the IELTS. The proposed method uses several alternative variables that can more resourcefully investigate such weakness. The study ended with germane recommendations to EFL teachers and syllabus designers for the enhancement of writing proficiency among this category of students.

    doi:10.1177/23294906241246706