Quem manda na comunicação das organizações: as estruturas especializadas ou as elites bem colocadas?

Abstract

Our investigation discusses the relationship between communication and elite power in contemporary organizations, based on a study developed in a Portuguese public institution. The empirical work used the case study methodology, including elite interviews and other qualitative devices. The results pointed out a strong correlation between the elite identity vision and the communication models adopted by the institution. Through this case study analysis we suggest that communication formats are not a result of democratic processes within organizations but that they are strongly elite‑oriented.