Please read the experimental learning and answer the 4 questions.

CHAPTER 11 Communication: Interpersonal and Organizational 393 EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING Alcoa's Open Work Spaces "The offices at Alcoa are designed around a Companies increase communication whe han private offices. Marilyn Farrow, member of IDA, Fellows, explain n workers gers alike inhabit open work spaces rather central escalato on many floors. Elevators do r where people can see one another not allow for visibility between floors and do not allow for as much visibil ity of people coming and going. Companies use their open stairway space for social interactions and for impromptu knowledge exchange" (Smith) ernational Interior Design Association College of The Old Thinking' of entitlement; one person, one workspace, one site; job title, years of ser- vice, status; square feet per person; windows corners, and level of finish are giving way to New Thinking' which values people as a source of knowledge; empowered people contribute more; two heads are better than one; faster, better, cheaper; open communication is good- need to know' not the rule; serendipitous talk is not idle talk; informal communications have alue. Workers want to win within this netu nario, and enabled by an appropriate workplace, they can (Smith) Office floors at Alcoa have desk-storage areas and small conference tables with ports (for easy connec tions between employees' laptop computers and the devices of customers and suppliers). Also, it is possible for employees to plug in laptop computers randomly at meeting tables and elsewhere, even on the deck near the cafeteria. There are at least two paneled work spaces on each floor for employees to view videos or to improve their computer skills away from their desks. uestions 1. What barriers to organizational communication Alcoa's Corporate Center is an example of a ilding with open work spaces. Alcoa is the world's ading producer of primary aluminum, fabricated 2. What problems can arise in such an open 3. What kind of workers or work 4. Of all of the elements described in this open en are overcome by this type of working situation? environment? such an environment? aluminum, and alumina combined. The corporate might suffer in center in Pittsburgh is located on the Allegheny River nt. ouses employees in a unique open environme one has an office, not even the top executives. Th organic environment allows employees to meet and vironment, which one appeals to you the most Which ones do not appeal to you? Explain rm problem-solving groups anywhere within the Sources: Laurie A. Smith, "Space SIG 10: Workspace and Learning Organizations," KnowledgeBoard, Some managers have found that people seek each January 14,2004,http://www.knowledgeboard.com/ other out more often in a building equipped with escala- item/1181/23/5/3; Donald Miller, "Alcoa Corporate tors than in one with stairways or elevators. Escalators, Center: A Triumph over Pretension," Post-Gazette, hey believe, offer relative privacy and allow senders September 18, 1998; Alcoa Inc., http://www.alcoa facility at any time and r ivers to pay more attention to each other. com