THE IMPACTS OF INEFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION ON ORGANIZATION EFFICIENCY IN NIGERIA
ABSTRACT
The study was guided by the writings of Elashmawi and Harris, (1993) who have argued that a fuller understanding of organizations is a vital ingredient at every forward step of the career process, and that communication is a primary element for understanding how organizations function and how members of the organization should, even must, behave in organizations if they are to advance their careers.
The study was carried out at the Ibarapa East local government area of Oyo state, Nigeria. A sample of 100 respondents was involved in the research and they were picked through random stratified sampling save for seven heads of departments who were purposefully selected by virtue of their positions and possession of key information.
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
In workplaces, ineffective communication is a serious problem and can be costly to an organization. The impact can be devastating to the parties involved. Some of the results include: Loss of business, customers, products, goods, services, employee turnover, loss of productivity, absenteeism, sabotage, injury and accidents, sick leave and so on. The main purpose of this study is to identify the effects of ineffective communication on organizational efficiency and to find out the strategies for improving on communication at the workplace so that employee efficiency can be enhanced. The specific objectives of the study included finding out the factors, levels, types and effects of ineffective communication at the workplace.
This chapter gives a background to the study of communication and its effects on worker efficiency and productivity. It begins with a brief background detailing the studies that have been done on communication over the last few decades. A theoretical framework is also given on which the study is anchored. Other areas given in this section are the statement of the problem, the purpose of the study, research objectives, and research questions, significance of the study and definition of terms.
Communication is widely used in running almost all organizations effectively. Effective communication is essential for any business or organization to prosper. It cuts out on wasted time and provides both customers and employees with the necessary tools to succeed and find satisfaction. When communication is not effective, the end result is an increase in production time and a decrease in the bottom line. In order to avoid this outcome, effective communication must be in place (Joey, 2002).
Consequently communication can be defined as the ?exchange of information between a sender and a receiver, and the inference (perception) of meaning between the individuals involved (Bowditch et al, 1997).
Analysis of this exchange reveals that communication is a two way process consisting of consecutively linked elements. Managers who understand this process can analyze their own communication patterns as well as design communication programs that fit organizational needs (Kinicki & Kreitner, 2006).
Communication is rather complex to define in a single sentence. In a glimpse, however, it has many types which include: interpersonal communication; intrapersonal; group communication; public communication; mass communication; and online or machine- assisted communication (Gamble and Gamble, 2002). Interpersonal communication means to interact with another person, while intrapersonal means to interact with oneself, or to reason with or evaluate self. Group communication, on the other hand, is defined as the process of interacting with a limited number of others, work to share information, develop ideas, make decisions, solve problems, offer support, or have fun.
Communication is not just important to an organization, but is an important component in everyday human life. Gamble, et al has stated that: ?Communication is the core of our humanness?, and that ?how we communicate with each other shapes our lives and our world?. Communicative skills help humans to reach out to one another or to confront events that challenge our flexibility, integrity, expressiveness and critical thinking skills (Gamble and Gamble, 2002).
From the forgoing analysis it is important to note that every managerial function and activity involves some form of direct or indirect communication. Whether planning and organizing or directing and leading, managers find themselves communicating with and through others.
Managerial decisions and organizational policies are ineffective unless they are understood by those responsible for enacting them. Ineffective communication can clearly affect a company?s efficiency leading to a drop in its share price. Moreover, effective communication is critical for employee efficiency and job satisfaction (Kinicki & Kreitner, 2006).
The Ibarapa East local government council, Oyo state is an organization which has over 200 employees. This calls for a well managed communication process in order to make the operations of the company efficient. This study intends to understand the processes of communication in the case study whether they do bring positive or negative results.
1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
Communication contributes effectively towards the organizational success. This is only done if it is used to perform its key functions of: controlling, motivating, emotional expressions and decision making. In organization like the Ibarapa East local government council, miscommunication is inevitable. Several research and organizational reports point out that positive communication is one of the most important factors that help build effective employee efficiency.
This study strived to enumerate some of the strategies to resolve ineffective communication. The objectives of the study were being to establish the channels of communication at the case study, the factors for ineffective communication and the effects of communication on efficiency. For the Ibarapa east local government council, miscommunication can lead to ineffective customer attention and ineffective record keeping leading to ineffective efficiency, moral, efficiency and lose of revenue. Therefore, there is need to investigate the effects of communication so as to come up with recommendations that will help the company control the negative effects of ineffective communication.
1.3 PURPOSE OF THE STUDY
The main purpose of the study was to determine the effects of ineffective communication in organization efficiency.
1.4 RESEARCH OBJECTIVES.
The general objective of this study is to investigate how effective communication affects organizational efficiency at the Ibarapa East local government council. More specifically, the study sought to:
i) Establish the factors that contribute to ineffective communication.
ii) Determine the effects of communication on employee efficiency in the organization.
iii) Determine the various strategies used to improve communication at Ibarapa East local government council.
iv) To identify the channels of communication in an organization
v) To examine the effectiveness of the communication techniques employed
1.5 RESEARCH QUESTIONS
To achieve the objectives of the study, the research sought to answer the following questions:
i) What are the effects of ineffective communication on employee efficiency?
ii) What are the channels of communication in an organization?
iii) What are the factors that contribute to ineffective communication?
iv) What are the strategies/ways of enhancing communication in the company?
v) Are the communication techniques employed at the case study effective?
1.6 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
The study intended to enable line supervisors and managers at Ibarapa East local government council develop proper communication channels and ensure effective communication is enhanced to increase employee efficiency in the organization. Ineffective communication in business whether written or oral, can obstruct the efficiency of an organization or a specific department. This study will also help managers and supervisors identify the weakness in employee communication, languages and channels and if need be device ways of training and developing perfect communicators. The study will not only benefit the management of Ibarapa East local government council but also its Employees and other organizations especially in identifying the origin, effects and ways in which communication is relayed.
This study aimed at helping Ibarapa East local government council to re- invents its channels for communication; re-define the direction and chain of command and or sources of information, hence leading to the realization of the organization?s mission and vision.
1.7 SCOPE OF THE STUDY
The study was basically concerned with how communication affects organizational efficiency. It was conducted at the Ibarapa East local government council headquarters in Eruwa, Oyo state by using a sample survey of employees. The study helped the management and other organizations realize that an organization with ineffective communication is an organization whose future is in not assured.
1.8 LIMITATION OF THE STUDY
1. Network interconnectivity to enhance elaborate research ?
2. High level of illiteracy
3. Organization operational huddles.
4. Time and cost constraints due to cause of scarcity in gasoline to go about the research.
THE IMPACTS OF INEFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION ON ORGANIZATION EFFICIENCY IN NIGERIA
