Abstract
This article addresses the profound changes in communication that may compel departments to restructure in order to remain relevant. It argues that routine administrative challenges like enrollment or retirement trends are not sufficient drivers of major transformation; instead, emerging communication technologies—computers, satellites, and cable—are reshaping how communication occurs. The discussion highlights two illustrative developments: the rise of telecommuting and its interpersonal consequences, and international debates over sovereignty and information flow spurred by new media. These examples underscore the complex personal, organizational, and geopolitical issues tied to technological advances. The article contends that effective disciplinary response requires both reconceptualization, including integration of media technology into communication theory, and reorganization, with interdisciplinary collaborations and new institutional structures. It concludes that adapting to technological change is essential for communication programs to address evolving social, political, and economic realities.
Recommended Citation
Berg, David M.
(1989)
"Reconfiguring: The Shape of Things to Come,"
Association for Communication Administration Bulletin: Vol. 68, Article 7.
Available at:
https://stars.library.ucf.edu/aca/vol68/iss1/7
