Institutional Voice

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Thoughts about writing in an "institutional voice"...

What is in an institutional voice? leads us to the question of How do governments engage/communicate with citizens?

Possible ways:

  • Government Comms/Webs
  • Government Campaigns
  • Individuals - Complaints to government
  • Public comments on social media/online forum
  • Qualitative research (focus groups, citizen groups, ask broad question and collect word data from people)
  • Quantitative research (statistical/computational analysis of data)

Does the internet obsolete the institutional voice? What are the features of the "institutional voice"? Anonymity of institutional voice / which also claims to speak on behalf of the institution / "cloak of distance" Do people not trust institutions today because they expect Transparency and conversation?

The voice of the institution is not the voice of the people. if it were the people, then it would just be called the voice of the people.

Origin of the "Institution"

Formal organization is a fixed set of rules of intra-organization procedures and structures. It is set out in writing with a language of rules that ostensibly aims to leave little discretion for interpretation. In some societies and in some organizations, such rules may be strictly followed; in others, they may be little more than an empty formalism.

  • To facilitate the accomplishment of the goals of the organization: In a formal organization, the work is delegated to each individual of the organization. He/She works towards the attainment of definite goals, which are in compliance with the goals of the organization.
  • To facilitate the co-ordination of various activities: The authority, responsibility, and accountability of individuals in the organization is very well defined. Hence, facilitating the co-ordination of various activities of the organization very effectively.
  • To aid the establishment of logical authority relationship: The responsibilities of the individuals in the organization are well defined. They have a definite place in the organization due to a well defined hierarchical structure which is inherent in any formal organization.
  • Permit the application of the concept of specialization and division of Labour. Division of work amongst individuals according to their capabilities helps in greater specializations and division of work.
  • Create more group cohesiveness.

Characteristics:

  • Well defined rules and regulation and language
  • Determined objectives and policies
  • Status symbol
  • Limitation on the activities of the individual
  • Strict observance of the principle of co-ordination
  • Messages are communicated through scalar chain [Scalar chain is the formal line of authority which moves from highest to lowest rank in a straight line]
  • It is to BEST / BETTER attain the objectives of the enterprise.

PROGRESS / BETTER What are appropriate measures of success?

[ side note : thinking about productivity methods like sprint / agile / gtd systems and their well-defined goals... the language used in these productivity books and user journeys and service design customer journey maps ... ] [ another note: SCALAR CHAINS VS TOTAL BOMBARDMENT!!!! ]

In Remix, Lawrence Lessig states that “…despite the rhetoric of the content industry, the most valuable contribution to our economy comes from connectivity, not content. Content is the ginger in gingerbread–important, no doubt, but nothing like the most valuable component in the mix…”