Association for Business Communication
Encyclopedia
The Association for Business Communication (ABC) is the primary academic organization for the field of business communication
scholarship, research, education and practice. The mission statement on its website reflects this: “The Association for Business Communication (ABC) is an international organization committed to fostering excellence in business communication scholarship, research, education, and practice.”
Much of the strength of the organization rests in its interdisciplinary nature. Members belong to such varied academic fields as Management
, Marketing
, English
, Foreign Languages, Speech
, Communication
, Linguistics
, and Information Systems
. Additionally the organization brings together university academicians, business practitioners, and business consultants.
and Central America
, and five North American regions (Canada plus Eastern, Midwest, Southeast, and Southwest United States).
Each year the entire membership meets at the International Convention in October or November. Midyear, two regional conferences are held—one in the European region and the other in one of the North American regions. The Asia and Pacific Rim region holds a conference every two years. At the International Convention and at the regional conferences, members come together to share research in business communication, participate in workshops, and network.
A Board of Directors and an Executive Committee lead the ABC. The Board of Directors is directly elected with a Vice President elected from each of 8 regions and 12 directors at large, with staggered terms. The executive committee consists of a permanent position of Executive Director and four officers of the Association. The members of the executive committee serve for four years in rotating capacity, beginning as second vice president in the first year, then first vice president the next, president the next, and past president the last year on the committee. The organization as a whole elects the second vice president position from among candidates on the Board of Directors.
The current Executive Director of the ABC is Dr. Betty S. Johnson of (Stephen F. Austin State University
). She took office in 2007, succeeding Robert J. Myers of Baruch College
in that position. When she took office, the headquarters of the ABC moved with her from New York City
to Nacogdoches, Texas
where Stephen F. Austin State University is located.
For 2007-2008 the Executive Committee consists of President Dr. Roger Conaway (University of Texas at Tyler
), First Vice President Dr. James Dubinsky (Virginia Tech), Second Vice President, Deborah Valentine (Emory University
, Atlanta, Georgia, USA), and Immediate Past President Dr. Jackie Harrison (AUT University, Auckland, New Zealand).
Publications of Thousand Oaks, California
.
JBC summarizes its research focus as devoted to articles which
The current editor-in-chief of the JBC is Dr. Margaret Baker Graham of Iowa State University
. The last several editors-in-chief of JBC have been in Iowa State University
's English Department, which also devotes office space and resources to JBC and to the Journal of Business and Technical Communication.
In its own words on the ABC website, BCQ is “devoted to the teaching of business communication, which is a broad, interdisciplinary field.” BCQ summarizes the focus of its articles as
The current editor of BCQ is Dr. Kathryn Riley of Illinois Institute of Technology
.
1. Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) Liaison
2. Business Practices Committee
3. Community College Committee
4. Convention Procedures Committee
5. Diversity Initiative Committee
6. Employment Opportunities Committee
7. Intercultural Communication Committee
8. International Issues Committee
9. Modern Language Association
(MLA) Liaison Committee
10. Nominations Committee
11. Publications Board
12. Research Committee
13. Review of the Executive Director Committee
14. Student Competition Committee
15. Teaching Committee
16. Undergraduate Studies Committee
17. Web Board
The ABC has Ad Hoc Committees for interests that have not yet warranted a Standing Committee, but may in the future become so. Many of the Standing Committees began as Ad Hoc Committees. In 2006 has four Ad Hoc Committees:
1. Marketing of ABC
2. Non-Tenure Track Faculty
3. Professional Ethics
4. Retired Members
Additionally, ABC members pursue a number of professional objectives through voluntary interest groups. Interest group may be convened by the First Vice President or by members’ current interest groups. In 2006, the ABC had the following five Interest Groups:
1. MBA Consortium
2. Business Practices
3. Consultants' Interest Group
4. Intercultural Communication
5. Rhetoric
Special Interest Group
, was then named the “Association of College Teachers of Business Writers.” The next year, 1937, that name changed to the “American Business Writing Association.”
By the 1960s, the field had grown considerably and became heavily interested in areas well beyond business writing (such as oral presentations, negotiations, and nonverbal communication among others). In 1967, the Board of Directors voted to change the name of the organization to the “American Business Communication Association” to reflect this change.
By the late 1970s, as the membership of the organization grew to include more member from outside the Americas and as the focus of research expanded heavily into the fields of intercultural communication and cross-cultural business communication practice, the term “American” became increasingly inaccurate of both the membership and focus of the organization. In 1985, the Board of Directors voted to change the name to its current “Association for Business Communication.”
In 1990, ABC moved its headquarters from Illinois
first to the University of North Texas
(1990–1994) and then to Baruch College
CUNY in New York City
(from 1994–2007). Presently, the ABC is headquartered at Stephen F. Austin State University
in Nacogdoches, Texas
.
Business communication
Business Communication: communication used to promote a product, service, or organization; relay information within the business; or deal with legal and similar issues. It is also a means of relaying between a supply chain, for example the consumer and manufacturer.Business Communication is known...
scholarship, research, education and practice. The mission statement on its website reflects this: “The Association for Business Communication (ABC) is an international organization committed to fostering excellence in business communication scholarship, research, education, and practice.”
Much of the strength of the organization rests in its interdisciplinary nature. Members belong to such varied academic fields as Management
Management
Management in all business and organizational activities is the act of getting people together to accomplish desired goals and objectives using available resources efficiently and effectively...
, Marketing
Marketing
Marketing is the process used to determine what products or services may be of interest to customers, and the strategy to use in sales, communications and business development. It generates the strategy that underlies sales techniques, business communication, and business developments...
, English
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
, Foreign Languages, Speech
Public speaking
Public speaking is the process of speaking to a group of people in a structured, deliberate manner intended to inform, influence, or entertain the listeners...
, Communication
Communication
Communication is the activity of conveying meaningful information. Communication requires a sender, a message, and an intended recipient, although the receiver need not be present or aware of the sender's intent to communicate at the time of communication; thus communication can occur across vast...
, Linguistics
Linguistics
Linguistics is the scientific study of human language. Linguistics can be broadly broken into three categories or subfields of study: language form, language meaning, and language in context....
, and Information Systems
Information systems
Information Systems is an academic/professional discipline bridging the business field and the well-defined computer science field that is evolving toward a new scientific area of study...
. Additionally the organization brings together university academicians, business practitioners, and business consultants.
Organizational structure
ABC is an international organization, divided into eight regional divisions, each with its own separate academic conferences. The regions are Europe, Asia and Pacific Rim, CaribbeanCaribbean
The Caribbean is a crescent-shaped group of islands more than 2,000 miles long separating the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea, to the west and south, from the Atlantic Ocean, to the east and north...
and Central America
Central America
Central America is the central geographic region of the Americas. It is the southernmost, isthmian portion of the North American continent, which connects with South America on the southeast. When considered part of the unified continental model, it is considered a subcontinent...
, and five North American regions (Canada plus Eastern, Midwest, Southeast, and Southwest United States).
Each year the entire membership meets at the International Convention in October or November. Midyear, two regional conferences are held—one in the European region and the other in one of the North American regions. The Asia and Pacific Rim region holds a conference every two years. At the International Convention and at the regional conferences, members come together to share research in business communication, participate in workshops, and network.
A Board of Directors and an Executive Committee lead the ABC. The Board of Directors is directly elected with a Vice President elected from each of 8 regions and 12 directors at large, with staggered terms. The executive committee consists of a permanent position of Executive Director and four officers of the Association. The members of the executive committee serve for four years in rotating capacity, beginning as second vice president in the first year, then first vice president the next, president the next, and past president the last year on the committee. The organization as a whole elects the second vice president position from among candidates on the Board of Directors.
The current Executive Director of the ABC is Dr. Betty S. Johnson of (Stephen F. Austin State University
Stephen F. Austin State University
Stephen F. Austin State University is a public university located in Nacogdoches, Texas, United States. Founded as a teachers' college in 1923, the university was named after one of Texas' founding fathers, Stephen F. Austin. Its campus resides on part of the homestead of another Texas founding...
). She took office in 2007, succeeding Robert J. Myers of Baruch College
Baruch College
Bernard M. Baruch College, more commonly known as Baruch College, is a constituent college of the City University of New York, located in the Flatiron district of Manhattan, New York City. With an acceptance rate of just 23%, Baruch is among the most competitive and diverse colleges in the nation...
in that position. When she took office, the headquarters of the ABC moved with her from New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
to Nacogdoches, Texas
Nacogdoches, Texas
Nacogdoches is a city in Nacogdoches County, Texas, in the United States. The 2010 census recorded the city's population to be 32,996. It is the county seat of Nacogdoches County and is situated in East Texas. Nacogdoches is a sister city of Natchitoches, Louisiana.Nacogdoches is the home of...
where Stephen F. Austin State University is located.
For 2007-2008 the Executive Committee consists of President Dr. Roger Conaway (University of Texas at Tyler
University of Texas at Tyler
The University of Texas at Tyler, also referred to as UT Tyler, is a coeducational public university located in Tyler, Texas. Founded in 1971, it is a component institution of the University of Texas System....
), First Vice President Dr. James Dubinsky (Virginia Tech), Second Vice President, Deborah Valentine (Emory University
Emory University
Emory University is a private research university in metropolitan Atlanta, located in the Druid Hills section of unincorporated DeKalb County, Georgia, United States. The university was founded as Emory College in 1836 in Oxford, Georgia by a small group of Methodists and was named in honor of...
, Atlanta, Georgia, USA), and Immediate Past President Dr. Jackie Harrison (AUT University, Auckland, New Zealand).
Publications
The ABC publishes two widely respected refereed journals: The Journal of Business Communication (JBC) and the Business Communication Quarterly (BCQ). For several years these two journals have borne the imprint of Sage ResearchSAGE Publications
SAGE is an independent academic publisher of books, journals, and electronic products in the humanities and social sciences and the scientific, technical, and medical fields. SAGE was founded in 1965 by George McCune and Sara Miller McCune. The company is headquartered in Thousand Oaks, California,...
Publications of Thousand Oaks, California
Thousand Oaks, California
Thousand Oaks is a city in southeastern Ventura County, California, in the United States. It was named after the many oak trees that grace the area, and the city seal is adorned with an oak....
.
Journal of Business Communication
JBC was founded in 1963. At the time (and for several decades) it remained the only journal devoted solely to business communication theory. In its own words on the ABC website JBC “publishes manuscripts that contribute to knowledge and theory of business communication as a distinct, multifaceted field approached through the administrative disciplines, the liberal arts, and the social sciences.”JBC summarizes its research focus as devoted to articles which
-
- contribute to knowledge and theory of business communication as a distinct, multifaceted field approached through the administrative disciplines, the liberal arts, and the social sciences. Accordingly, JBC seeks manuscripts that address all areas of business communication including but not limited to business composition/technical writing, information systems, international business communication, management communication, and organizational and corporate communication. In addition, JBC welcomes submissions concerning the role of written, verbal, nonverbal and electronic communication in the creation, maintenance, and performance of profit and not for profit business.
The current editor-in-chief of the JBC is Dr. Margaret Baker Graham of Iowa State University
Iowa State University
Iowa State University of Science and Technology, more commonly known as Iowa State University , is a public land-grant and space-grant research university located in Ames, Iowa, United States. Iowa State has produced astronauts, scientists, and Nobel and Pulitzer Prize winners, along with a host of...
. The last several editors-in-chief of JBC have been in Iowa State University
Iowa State University
Iowa State University of Science and Technology, more commonly known as Iowa State University , is a public land-grant and space-grant research university located in Ames, Iowa, United States. Iowa State has produced astronauts, scientists, and Nobel and Pulitzer Prize winners, along with a host of...
's English Department, which also devotes office space and resources to JBC and to the Journal of Business and Technical Communication.
Business Communication Quarterly
Business Communication Quarterly was founded in 1937. In its earlier years, BCQ was known as the Bulletin of the ABCA and later the Bulletin of the ABC. It took on its present name in 1994.In its own words on the ABC website, BCQ is “devoted to the teaching of business communication, which is a broad, interdisciplinary field.” BCQ summarizes the focus of its articles as
-
- - discussions of issues and methods for teaching business communication in a variety of settings: two–year college, technical institute, four-year college, university, corporate or agency training program, and the like
-
- - case studies of specific classroom techniques
-
- - tutorials on business communication processes or products, especially innovations in electronic technology that need to be introduced into the classroom
-
- - research on classroom teaching or assessment
-
- - summary reviews of literature on teaching business communication
-
- - book reviews—reviews of both textbooks and other items of interest to teachers
-
- - reports on strategies for program development
The current editor of BCQ is Dr. Kathryn Riley of Illinois Institute of Technology
Illinois Institute of Technology
Illinois Institute of Technology, commonly called Illinois Tech or IIT, is a private Ph.D.-granting university located in Chicago, Illinois, with programs in engineering, science, psychology, architecture, business, communications, industrial technology, information technology, design, and law...
.
Standing Committees, Ad Hoc Committees and Interest Groups
The ABC has 17 standing committees, as follow:1. Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) Liaison
2. Business Practices Committee
3. Community College Committee
4. Convention Procedures Committee
5. Diversity Initiative Committee
6. Employment Opportunities Committee
7. Intercultural Communication Committee
8. International Issues Committee
9. Modern Language Association
Modern Language Association
The Modern Language Association of America is the principal professional association in the United States for scholars of language and literature...
(MLA) Liaison Committee
10. Nominations Committee
11. Publications Board
12. Research Committee
13. Review of the Executive Director Committee
14. Student Competition Committee
15. Teaching Committee
16. Undergraduate Studies Committee
17. Web Board
The ABC has Ad Hoc Committees for interests that have not yet warranted a Standing Committee, but may in the future become so. Many of the Standing Committees began as Ad Hoc Committees. In 2006 has four Ad Hoc Committees:
1. Marketing of ABC
2. Non-Tenure Track Faculty
3. Professional Ethics
Ethics
Ethics, also known as moral philosophy, is a branch of philosophy that addresses questions about morality—that is, concepts such as good and evil, right and wrong, virtue and vice, justice and crime, etc.Major branches of ethics include:...
4. Retired Members
Additionally, ABC members pursue a number of professional objectives through voluntary interest groups. Interest group may be convened by the First Vice President or by members’ current interest groups. In 2006, the ABC had the following five Interest Groups:
1. MBA Consortium
2. Business Practices
3. Consultants' Interest Group
4. Intercultural Communication
5. Rhetoric
Rhetoric
Rhetoric is the art of discourse, an art that aims to improve the facility of speakers or writers who attempt to inform, persuade, or motivate particular audiences in specific situations. As a subject of formal study and a productive civic practice, rhetoric has played a central role in the Western...
Special Interest Group
History
ABC was founded in 1936, beginning with a modest membership of 72 members, all but one from the United States (the only exception being from Canada). The organization, based at the University of IllinoisUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
The University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign is a large public research-intensive university in the state of Illinois, United States. It is the flagship campus of the University of Illinois system...
, was then named the “Association of College Teachers of Business Writers.” The next year, 1937, that name changed to the “American Business Writing Association.”
By the 1960s, the field had grown considerably and became heavily interested in areas well beyond business writing (such as oral presentations, negotiations, and nonverbal communication among others). In 1967, the Board of Directors voted to change the name of the organization to the “American Business Communication Association” to reflect this change.
By the late 1970s, as the membership of the organization grew to include more member from outside the Americas and as the focus of research expanded heavily into the fields of intercultural communication and cross-cultural business communication practice, the term “American” became increasingly inaccurate of both the membership and focus of the organization. In 1985, the Board of Directors voted to change the name to its current “Association for Business Communication.”
In 1990, ABC moved its headquarters from Illinois
Illinois
Illinois is the fifth-most populous state of the United States of America, and is often noted for being a microcosm of the entire country. With Chicago in the northeast, small industrial cities and great agricultural productivity in central and northern Illinois, and natural resources like coal,...
first to the University of North Texas
University of North Texas
The University of North Texas is a public institution of higher education and research in Denton. Founded in 1890, UNT is part of the University of North Texas System. As of the fall of 2010, the University of North Texas, Denton campus, had a certified enrollment of 36,067...
(1990–1994) and then to Baruch College
Baruch College
Bernard M. Baruch College, more commonly known as Baruch College, is a constituent college of the City University of New York, located in the Flatiron district of Manhattan, New York City. With an acceptance rate of just 23%, Baruch is among the most competitive and diverse colleges in the nation...
CUNY in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
(from 1994–2007). Presently, the ABC is headquartered at Stephen F. Austin State University
Stephen F. Austin State University
Stephen F. Austin State University is a public university located in Nacogdoches, Texas, United States. Founded as a teachers' college in 1923, the university was named after one of Texas' founding fathers, Stephen F. Austin. Its campus resides on part of the homestead of another Texas founding...
in Nacogdoches, Texas
Nacogdoches, Texas
Nacogdoches is a city in Nacogdoches County, Texas, in the United States. The 2010 census recorded the city's population to be 32,996. It is the county seat of Nacogdoches County and is situated in East Texas. Nacogdoches is a sister city of Natchitoches, Louisiana.Nacogdoches is the home of...
.