Effective Communication As A Strategy For Enhancing Organization Performance

ABSTRACT

Communication has crucial impacts within or among workgroups in that organization

Communication can be a channel to flow information, resources, and even policies. Given the

importance of  effective communication on organization performance , further research is

needed to explore this topic as it relates to the  organization behaviour  field. To this end, this study assesses the impacts of organizational communication on organization performance. The result of this study reveals that there is greater communication among people of same level than people of different level in the organization. It was revealed that organizational environment affects communication effectiveness and that communication has significant effect on organization performance.

A relationship exists between effective communication and workers’ performance.

 It was recommended that management should ensure all employees take deliberate steps to improve on their communication skills for them to be aware of the effect of communication on performance, also management should create an environment that supports open and safe communication void of communication barriers so as to  improve employee productivity and organizational performance.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Abstract.........................................................................................................................vii

Table of contents............................................................................................................ix

SECTION ONE

1. 1. Background to the study.......................................................................................1
   2. Statement of the problem.....................................................................................3
   3. Research question.................................................................................................4
   4. Objective of the study...........................................................................................5
   5. Research hypotheses.............................................................................................5
   6. Significance of the study......................................................................................6
   7. Scope of the study................................................................................................7
   8. Limitation of the study.........................................................................................8
   9. Operational definition..........................................................................................8

SECTION TWO

1. 1. Conceptual framework.....................................................................................10
   2. Review literature in line with research hypotheses..........................................11
      1. Organizational performance and effective communication............................11
      2. Organization environment and communication................................................13
      3.  Communication difficulties and various management cadre..........................14
   3. Communication process.....................................................................................18
   4. Forms of communication....................................................................................19
   5. The purpose of communication..........................................................................19
   6. Review of empirical studies...............................................................................20
   7. Summary of related  literature review...........................................20

SECTION THREE

1. 1. Introduction........................................................................................................21
   2. Area of the study................................................................................................21
   3. Sources of data...................................................................................................21
   4. Questionnaires ...................................................................................................21
   5. Population of the study.......................................................................................22
   6. Sampling and sampling techniques....................................................................23
   7. Method of data collection and questionnaire.....................................................24
   8. Method of data analysis.....................................................................................25

SECTION FOUR

1. 1. Introduction........................................................................................................26
   2. Data presentation and analysis of returned questionnaire.................................28
   3. Testing of research hypotheses.............................................................................31.

SECTION FIVE

1. 1. Summary of the study.........................................................................................32
   2. Discussion of finding and its implication...........................................................33
   3. Conclusion..........................................................................................................34
   4. Recommendation................................................................................................35
   5. Recommendation for further studies..................................................................36

References  .....................................................................................................................37

Appendix.........................................................................................................................38

Questionnaire...................................................................................................................38

Chapter One

INTRODUCTION

0. Background to the Study

“Communication refers to the process by which information is transmitted and understood between two or more people” (McShane & Von Glinow, 2005). The word communication has a rich and complex history. It first appeared in English language in the fourteen century, taken from the Latin word communication which means to impact, share or make common. Bateman (2002), defined communication as the transmission of information and meaning from one party to another through the use of shared symbol.It is a well known fact that communication plays a coordinal and integrating role in the management of the affairs of any organization whether in the function of planning, organizing, staffing, leading or controlling. Communication is one of the primary areas for understanding human behavior, Rami (2000). Communication is an essential tool for management, which is used to carry the whole organization as a single being.

Communication is an integral part of the organizational process as the flow of communication up and down the organizational hierarchy has its effects on efficiency, decision- making and morale of organizations. Thus, effective communication is regarded as the foundation of organizations today (Witherspoon, 1997; Von Krogh e al., 2000). Communication strategies are common in the business world, where they are used as part of a business plan, detailing how to communicate with various groups of people.

A single business may have multiple strategies for different categories of people, such as clients, investors, competitors or employees. Some companies even have an internal communication strategy for communicating within the business itself. These strategies are used to determine things like what information to share with the clients or investors, as well as how that information should be presented.

Communication is applied to all phase of managing. It is particularly important in the function of leading. Communication is critical for all level of human behavior man’s ability to think and transmit the thought through the communication process, provides the binding element for social interaction. The relation success or failure of human endeavor depend to a great extent upon the effectiveness of communication

          According to Drucker (1985), the management effectiveness depends on his ability to listen and to read on his ability to speak and to write. Unfortunately, the importance of communication has not been well recognized in business. It is generally believed that anyone with common sense can write. Most managers write to impress not to express. Effective communication is a fundamental aspect of job performance and managerial effectiveness. Communication is a vital management component to any organization whether the purpose is to mainly update employees on new polices to prepare for a weather disaster to ensure safety throughout the organization or to listen to the attitude of employees; effective communication is an integral issue in effective management.

          The purpose of the paper is to recognize and discuss the significance of effective communication during the process of managing changes in organizations. The paper reviews the literature investigation the relationship between communication and organizational change. The advantages of successful communication related to improved efforts of employees to plan and execute strategies are also discussed. The paper also identifies the objectives and communication needs for each stage of the change process. Also, the various motives and benefits of organizational communication are discussed. The paper offers a change communication model which identifies different variables facilitating effective communication and finally ensuring successful organizational change. Also, it highlights the aspect of communication which has proven to be useful for successful changes in business organization. In the uncertain and always changing times or any situation, communication is critical between leadership and its member. To assure a steady and meaningful flow of information, human resource leader can play and should play a strategic role in assuring effective communication is delivered in a meaningful two-way process i.e. sending a message and receiving a proper feedback. It has been observed over the years that effective communication has been a strategy for organization that has been performing well. It has ensured a cordial relationship between management of an organization and its employees.