Business and Professional Communication Quarterly Oct 2025

Relational Realities of Readiness: What Managers Wish Colleges Knew About Business Communication

Laura Nicole Miller ; Karen McCullough

Abstract

This grounded theory study, informed by Communication Accommodation Theory, explores how frontline managers ( n  = 11) support early-career employees’ communication development. Findings identify three support strategies—structured scaffolding, adaptive leadership, and onboarding for cultural fit—and suggest colleges emphasize verbal and intercultural communication, applied learning, and professional presence. These insights reframe communication readiness as a relational process shaped by emotion, power, and organizational norms. The study calls for stronger collaboration between higher education and employers.

Journal
Business and Professional Communication Quarterly
Published
2025-10-08
DOI
10.1177/23294906251376618
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Topics
qualitative research disability studies

Citation Context

Cited by in this index (0)

No articles in this index cite this work.

Cites in this index (8)

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    The Necessity for Advancing Supportive Professional Communication in the Workplace
    Business and Professional Communication Quarterly
  2. Miller (2025)
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    Business and Professional Communication Quarterly
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    Competencies Needed by Business Professionals in the AI Age: Character and Comm…
    Business and Professional Communication Quarterly
  4. Coffelt et al. (2022)
    Measuring Business and Professional Communication Skills
    Business and Professional Communication Quarterly
  5. Kleckner et al. (2022)
    Developing Entry-Level Communication Skills: A Comparison of Student and Employ…
    Business and Professional Communication Quarterly
Show all 8 →
  1. Dubinsky et al. (2021)
    The Disappearance of Business Communication From Professional Communication Pro…
    Journal of Business and Technical Communication
  2. Knight (2021)
    Creating Authentic Learning Experiences in the Business and Professional Commun…
    Business and Professional Communication Quarterly
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    The Competency Pivot
    Business and Professional Communication Quarterly
Also cites 6 works outside this index ↓
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CrossRef global citation count: 0 View in citation network →

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