Tsvetelina Tsvetanova Panchelieva

Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”

E–mail: tsvetelina.ts.p@gmail.com

Abstract: The purpose of the article is to exploit what the factors for team effectiveness in technological companies from different countries are. One aspect of team effectiveness that is important to the overall team performance is communication. Additional factors that influence team results are task distribution, goal clearance, and team commitment. To test a model developed for measuring team effectiveness in IT companies a piece of empirical research was conducted in 2017. Although the participants work in one and the same industry, they are part of companies with different countries of origin, organizational values and teamwork fostering practices. The research results show differences in some of the factors from the model for team effectiveness depending on the country of origin of the company. Meanwhile, there are some similarities identified in the research sample related to the challenges that teams face in the IT field.  

Key words: team effectiveness, IT industry, model, team performance and communication, cross-culture.

Rhetoric and Communications E-journal, Issue 33, March 2018, rhetoric.bg/, journal.rhetoric.bg, ISSN 1314-4464

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Maya Yaneva

University of National and World Economy (UNWE), Sofia

E-mail: maya_yaneva@yahoo.com

Abstract: Communication is one of the most powerful tools in our private and business lives. A lot of researchers list [1] open and clear communication among the top priorities of business organizations. It takes months or even years to recover the damages of inappropriate communication within organizational functions and business partners. This paper aims to present a study in the field of interpersonal and intergroup relations. The study has been conducted within an international company, covering the EMEA (Europe, Middle East, and Africa) region. The multinational company is one of the global leaders in the business field it operates in, with 146 offices across 22 countries and territories, and over 75,000 employees speaking 48 languages. The primary focus of the research is on interpersonal communication in management. More specifically, how the multi-cultural, multi-lingual and multi-level communication is impacting the business environment. The reason executive business leaders of EMEA took a decision of the EMEA management to conduct anonymous survey for the whole region among 11 countries and more than 30 locations, was to find a better interoperability and alignment between the sales, account management and operational leaders. The survey was completed within one month and included all heads of departments and their teams. The responses were anonymous and were summarized in a broken down by department/office short presentation with a summary of the survey findings, and was then provided to the heads of departments/offices for review and action planning. The paper analyses the results related to the Bulgarian office of the researched company and provides further recommendations as to how to address the issues resulting from the survey.

Keywords: multi-lingual communication, multi-cultural relations, business communication, multi-cultural business environment.

Rhetoric and Communications E-journal, Issue 33, March 2018, rhetoric.bg/, journal.rhetoric.bg, ISSN 1314-4464

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Gergana Rayzhekova

Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”

E-mail: grayzhekova@yahoo.com

Abstract: The current Bulgarian alternative music scene is divided internally and externally by various factors. After 1989, Bulgarian alternative bands intentionally moved astray from pro-Russian affiliation and Bulgarian musical idioms and quickly adopted the English language as a basic composing language. This situation was enhanced by the super image of Western bands and their unreachable international success and geographical distance. This created a kind of aura around foreign musicians and their music, a status of non-approachability where they are never to be criticized, their melodies never to be altered. This attitude is based on many psychological factors and led to the current state where the alternative scene in Bulgaria has morphed into a schizophrenic place which praises any foreign material while severely scrutinizing any Bulgarian songs and artists. The abyss created in this way lures bands into playing covers also due to the gradual and persistent club domination over the years and clubs’ lack of responsibility towards forming a stable club audience and club community. All of these factors led to the alternative music’s decline in Bulgaria and the identity emigration of the Bulgarian alternative music scene.

Keywords: alternative music, club suggestion, identity emigration, musical–spatial transposition, symbiotic and parasitic hybridization, bio-musical autosuggestion

Rhetoric and Communications E-journal, Issue 33, March 2018, rhetoric.bg/, journal.rhetoric.bg, ISSN 1314-4464

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Kamen Tsvetkov

University of Architecture, Civil Engineering and Geodesy (UACEG).

E-mail: kamen.tsvetkov@gmail.com

Abstract: Every piece of art affects the perceiving consciousness through images satisfying its aesthetic and cognitive needs. These images act as an intermediary through which a viewer moves from the real world of his own existence to the imaginary world of an artistic work. Different forms of art develop the artistic image through their own specific means – words, shape, motion, while a viewer perceives them by their senses – sight, hearing, and touch. Over the ages, art has always been engaged in fulfilling tasks of a pronounced social character whose implementation requires a proper sign system through which the artist reaches the viewer’s mind. That is why for centuries the main goals set by artists themselves have been achieved by motifs borrowed from nature. However, since the age of Modernity, artists have been expertly using abstract means to imply their messages.

The paper aims to

• provide a brief review of the changes Modernity brings about in a social, economic and artistic sense in a global and a European perspective
• formulate an analytical approach to examining the communicative effect of non-figurative sculpture
• draw conclusions about the potential of contemporary non-figurative sculpture to engage audiences in communication about aesthetic and social values.

Keywords: non-figurative sculpture, communicative function of artistic works, traditional and contemporary artistic communication.

Rhetoric and Communications E-journal, Issue 33, March 2018, rhetoric.bg/, journal.rhetoric.bg, ISSN 1314-4464

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Eli Popova

Sofia University, Faculty of Philosophy

E-mail: popova@phls.uni-sofia.bg

Abstract: This article presents the modern library as a space for active dialogue between individuals – its actual and potential users; between representatives of different generations and cultures; between the librarian and other professional communities; between countries and their historical traditions; and between subcultures. It examines the influence of the new means of communication on the relation of the library with the external environment and the new groups of users. It looks at the processes for upholding the place of the library organisation in the modern communication environment and for preserving and enhancing its effectiveness in shaping human interactions. Evidence for the thesis that the library is a contemporary space for the creation of communities is sought in the recommendations of international documents, in the philosophy of their creation and in the values that they protect. The examples supporting the presented position constitute good practices from foreign and Bulgarian libraries, which have found a reflection in different publications, presented at professional forums.

Key words: community, IFLA, immigrants, intercultural dialogue, libraries, minorities

Rhetoric and Communications E-journal, Issue 33, March 2018, rhetoric.bg/, journal.rhetoric.bg, ISSN 1314-4464

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Hristina Sokolova

University of Ruse “Angel Kanchev”

E-mail: hsokolova@uni-ruse.bg

Abstract: The following paper discusses a proposition for the notion of success as a new cultural dimension. The main goal is to discuss whether “connected” and “linear” characteristics of success can be considered a new dimension of cultural variability in Bulgaria and Hungary. It can be speculated that such classification exists among more cultures but further research is necessary to support that. With regard to this, the paper presents the results of a 5-month pilot study on the notions of success in Bulgaria and Hungary which was conducted in the period of March – July 2015 with 395 Bulgarian and 110 Hungarian citizens aged 18 – 65. The empirical evidence collected by means of a free-word association experiment indicates that aspects of “linearity” and “connectivity” are present in both cultures’ notions of success. The main value of this study is that results could be used for developing approaches in recruitment for education and business, as well as in various problem-solving practices across cultures.

Keywords: success; intercultural communication; cultural orientations; linear culture; connected culture; values; Hungary; Bulgaria

Rhetoric and Communications E-journal, Issue 33, March 2018, rhetoric.bg/, journal.rhetoric.bg, ISSN 1314-4464

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Maria Genova

2ELS “Thomas Jefferson”, Sofia,

E-mail: maria_metodievabg@yahoo.com

Abstract: The paper presents a piece of small-scale research carried out with 17-year-old students who follow an intensive five-year course in EFL. In accordance with the curriculum for the eleventh grade, they are presented with classical British and American literature. To motivate students to participate in classes and develop their skills to interpret and analyse short literary texts, the teacher relies on students’ digital literacy and digital technologies. The author’s aim is to describe the participants, the messages, noise, feedback and channel of communication in a new context, i.e. the 21st century classroom where students often communicate with each other and the teacher not only face-to-face but most of the time digitally while performing various tasks and completing assignments. Involved in project work and student-centred activities on themes discussed by classical authors, the students are asked to share ideas and opinions, comment on written assignments and assess formatively peer work on digital platforms. This in turn requires the usage of verbal language for communication. And here come the two questions:

1. Are students prepared to use appropriate verbal language to foster digital communication within a group?
2. How can teachers help students foster a dialogue based on mutual respect, understanding and friendly criticism?

Keywords: digital communication, verbal language, 21century classroom, peer assessment.

Rhetoric and Communications E-journal, Issue 33, March 2018, rhetoric.bg/, journal.rhetoric.bg, ISSN 1314-4464

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Mariyan Tomov

Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”

E-mail: mariyan.d.tomov@gmail.com

Lilia Raycheva

Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”

E-mail: lraycheva@yahoo.com

Abstract: As a globalization-related phenomenon, voluntary or forced migration gradually occupies a leading place in the social agenda. The migrant problem is getting ever more complicated owing to reasons of international and national character. So far the European Union has no firm concept or plan about handling the migration influx. Furthermore, the populist rhetoric of the nationalist parties has stepped up in an expression of discontent both with the European policies and with the national authorities. This is considered to be a dangerous trend, because catalyzing people’s apprehension may lead to escalation of negative public moods against the migrants. A very important and responsible role in this situation is that of the media. In this regard, the research of the impact of nationalistic populist political discourse on media ecology can outline important trends in contemporary communication processes. The aim of the article is two-fold: firstly, to examine the contemporary tendencies and challenges of the media ecosystem; and secondly, to present the results of a study on populist approaches to the migration problems reflected in the Bulgarian media. The study is part of an international European project within the COST IS 1308 Action: Populist political communication in Europe: Comprehending the Challenge of Mediated Political Populism for Democratic Politics aimed at comparative measuring of populist rhetoric. It is supported by projects DCOST 01/02-17.05.2017 and DCOST 01/25-20.12.2017 of the Bulgarian National Scientific Fund.  

Keywords: media ecosystem, populism, migration, communication, media coverage.

Rhetoric and Communications E-journal, Issue 33, March 2018, rhetoric.bg/, journal.rhetoric.bg, ISSN 1314-4464

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Katarzyna Gajlewicz-Korab

University of Warsaw

E-mail: k.gajlewicz@uw.edu.pl

Anna Jupowicz-Ginalska

University of Warsaw

E-mail:a.ginalska@uw.edu.pl

Joanna Szylko-Kwas

University of Warsaw

E-mail: j.szylko@uw.edu.pl

Abstract: The purpose of the article is a quantitative and qualitative analysis of media reports on the subject of the relations of the Polish state with its neighbours, drawn from two prestigious Internet websites (Wyborcza.pl and Rp.pl). The authors confirmed that when reporting on the relations of Poland with its neighbouring countries, online media are subject to the phenomenon of politicization of media, and mediatization of politics. This thesis itself is the main subject of interest to the analyzed media coverage. Taking into consideration the tone of expression, it can be assumed that some websites, mostly Wyborcza.pl, may become emotional and hence recede from equal presentation of all parties’ statements. This in turn may indicate that nowadays we are all exposed to a large extent to significant (Wyborcza.pl) or moderate (Rp.pl in certain themes, such as the image of Poland) politicization of media.

Keywords: Poland; foreign policy; online media; mediated politics; mediatization; press politics; journalism.

Rhetoric and Communications E-journal, Issue 33, March 2018, rhetoric.bg/, journal.rhetoric.bg, ISSN 1314-4464

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Iglika Kassabova

Sheffield University – Bulgaria

E-mail: iglika_kassabova@hotmail.com

Abstract: A major feature of the analysis impacts the rhetorical techniques used by creating powerful visual and verbal messages during the protests supporting the Central European University (CEU) in April 2017 in Budapest. Images as part of the visual rhetoric are considered as the main tools in the rhetorical persuasion in a virtual environment concerning the freedom to express feelings and ideas. The flexibility of online social networks as a suitable platform for developing persuasion techniques with regard to civil appeals is discussed, as well. The messages are classified based on the understanding of the classical rhetoricians that there are three basic means of persuasions – rational, emotional and ethical, and the manifestation of all three is analysed based on the visual and verbal messages in social media platforms and on the streets. The use of language and images as a symbolic means of inducing persuasion among the society is analysed by both informative and emotional aspects of the messages, as the second more inflammatory kind of messages are prefered by citizens and e-citizens passionately supporting causes. Some of the messages use humor, irony and sarcasm as rhetorical tools, others deal with comparisons, metaphors and exaggerations.

Keywords: rhetoric, protests, visual, virtual, verbal, rhetorical persuasion, rhetorical techniques.

Rhetoric and Communications E-journal, Issue 33, March 2018, rhetoric.bg/, journal.rhetoric.bg, ISSN 1314-4464

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