Exploring communication between managers and employees within selected South African organisations

Abstract

Due to the fact that a large number of changes have occurred within the South African organisations it was inevitable that assisting organisations, managers and employees timeously was one of the biggest issues. Managers and employees are the driving forces "engines" of organisations, and one of the strongest influences between them is that of communications. Communication occurs every single day and is inevitable between managers and employees. Communication is a factor that is being taken for granted without managers and employees having proper knowledge of all it can accomplish. What makes communication so important is the fact that it is the process by means of which organisations, managers and employees function, convey information, work together, achieve the goals and objectives of the organisation and improve innovation and productivity. The absence of communication has many different negative influences on organisations, managers and employees that makes it impossible for anyone to accomplish the tasks and goals and allowing operations to run smoothly under such circumstances. Based on the above-mentioned it is extremely important to focus on and research communication between managers and employees within South Africa. The objective of this study is to explore the influence of effective and ineffective communication between managers and employees on organisational outcomes within selected South African organisations. The research study was of a qualitative nature, within the social constructivist paradigm. A phenomenological approach was further utilised with a view to obtain the objectives of the research study. Purposive sampling was used in the research study, followed by a multiple case study strategy. The participants involved in the study (N=16) were selected from South African organisations. These organisations formed part of the Manufacturing and Construction industries. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with the purpose of collecting data while data analysis was generated by means of thematic analysis. The results indicated that managers and employees within elected South African organisations experience and understand effective and ineffective communication differently with some overlapping similarities. The results also showed what managers and employees perceived effective and ineffective type of communication differently. They provided the research with valuable types of communication they deem to be effective and ineffective. Some effective types included face-to-face, computer-mediated, verbal, non-verbal and written communications while ineffective types included the same. The results continued by indicating that managers and employees have a different yet similar perspective of what they think the influences of effective and ineffective communication holds for the organisational outcomes. Based on their experience, knowledge and expertise they provided the researcher with valuable recommendations on how to improve communication within their respective industries. This will allow future organisations, managers and employees to capitalise on the information or data provided, leading to better functioning, more productive and innovative and higher level of satisfaction within organisations, managers and employees. It would also allow an opportunity to raise more awareness within industries so that they can utilise this in order to minimise any problems or issues they might experience concerning communication. Recommendations were also made with regard to future research and practices. Managers should raise more awareness and take more initiatives concerning what is regarded as effective and ineffective communications and types. This includes how it in turn affects the organisational outcomes. Organisations should also implement or develop new cultures to invite effective communication and types as well as take more initiative in implementing interventions, workshops and training in communication. This will allow managers and employees to be better equipped with communication skills and knowledge and will grant them more opportunities to improve and enhance their communications skills.