Emotion, Social Action, and Agency: A Case Study of an Intercultural, Technical Communication Intern

Technical Communication Quarterly Jul 2019

Emotion, Social Action, and Agency: A Case Study of an Intercultural, Technical Communication Intern

Kristin Pickering Tennessee Technological University

Abstract

This article reviews literature on emotions within communication settings and proposes that emotions serve as motivations to accomplish social action; these motivations also serve as opportunities to negotiate agency within unfamiliar workplace settings. To exemplify the way this process develops, the author presents a case study of a technical communication intern as she works full-time for a German sales and distribution company. Through reflective self-narratives, the intern describes specific emotions she experiences as she adjusts to this German workplace. These emotions connect directly to decisions the student makes that help her negotiate agency from a “powerless” position, resulting in effective workplace relationships and a competent persona.

Journal: Technical Communication Quarterly
Published: 2019-07-03
DOI: 10.1080/10572252.2019.1571244
Open Access: Closed
Topics: qualitative research technical communication

Citation Context

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