This master’s thesis seeks to examine whether the presence and absence of management impacts the dynamics of the communication between a group of employees in a professional context. In order to investigate this, the thesis is based on a qualitative approach, using both camera observation and regular observation of three meetings - two of which involves management presence and one without. Both methods make the chosen analytical method the DiaLoop-model possible, as this method requires an ability to be able to observe the video material repeatedly. The theory applied is based on the sociologist Erving Goffman and his theory of facework and roles. Furthermore, the analysis is based on a pragmatic language analysis in order to analyze how the participants in the conversations, uses their utterances as a way of making sense.

The findings of the thesis first of all show that the dynamic of the meeting can be affected due to the presence of management. The analysis shows that the employees tend to downgrade negative criticism in front of management, which is interpreted as being both because of politeness and protection of own and other’s faces. Compared to the employees own meeting, there is a significant difference in the way criticism is being shared. Other than that, there is an aspect concerning perspective. By downgrading their utterances and underlining their perspective, the employees find a way to speak their mind, without risking face loss. This is in line with Goffman’s theory about roles and how people tend to seek to live up to their ideal role, which the employees do. It is concluded that the dynamic of the meetings depends greatly on which of the particular leaders are participating and not least how the particular leader communicates. It is accordingly concluded that the presence of management can have an impact of the dynamics of meetings with both employees and management present. However, it can also be concluded that a lot of various factors and discourses can influence the dynamics of the meetings and, therefore, the effects might not only be due to the presence of management. The inquiry therefore discusses not only certain choices and reflections related to the applied theories, but also a critical point of view connected to the chosen focus.