Kleingroepkommunikasie: 'n literatuurstudie met spesifieke verwysing na produk'tiwiteit - en gehaltekringe

Abstract

In the first chapter, reference is made to thre e interrelated, basic characteristics of the human being that motivated the study, namely man's ability to communicate his thoughts. feelings, ideas etcetera, to his fellow men; man's natural tendency to form groups, and the fact that the majority of group functions are per-formed through communication and interaction; man's need to work in order to survive. the fact that work is usually performed in group context. and the importance of communication in the occu -pational millieu. The lack of upward communication in many organisations. as ex-pounded by various authors of reference works pertaining to man-agement and organisational communication. is considered a problem that warrants the attention of communication scientists and not only that of management scientists, personnel psychologists and industrial sociologists. The importance of studying various aspects of human communication within the group and in the work context as well as the suitabil -ity of productivity and quality circles as target groups for em -pirical study purposes, is explained. Definitions of the three terms on which the study hinges, namely communication. small groups and productivity and quality circles. are provided. The problem that is addressed is the fact that although most or -ganisations provide the necessary channels for effective down-ward communication, in order to communicate information concern-ing the organisation and its policies as well as instructions to subordinates, less attention is given to the important aspect of upward communication and in some cases it is even smothered (Bassett. 1968:160). Three hipotheses are proposed; firstly, that the introduction of productivity and quality ci rcl es can improve the general communi-cation climate and in particular the upward communication within an organisation; secondly, that productivity and quality circle members have a mor e positive attitude towards the general communi-cation climate within the organisation. largely as a result of the opportunities granted to members to communicate with their supe riors and the positive feedback they receive from management concerning the suggestions which they communicate, and thirdly, that the application of recognised small group communication techniques contributes towards the effectiveness of productivity and quality circ les in identifying and solving problems, as well as in decision making.