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.
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