Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Investigating The Influence of Organizational Communication Patterns On Employee Engagement and Performance
Investigating The Influence of Organizational Communication Patterns On Employee Engagement and Performance
Investigating The Influence of Organizational Communication Patterns On Employee Engagement and Performance
Rajasthan
SUBMITTED TO SUBMITTED BY
Dr. Ritika Sehgal Name – Prabal Parashar
Sejal Gupta
MBA- 2 sem.
Title: Investigating the Influence of Organizational Communication
Patterns on Employee Engagement and Performance
ABSTRACT
This research paper looks at the complex relationship between organizational communication
patterns, employee engagement, and organizational performance. Effective communication
within an organization is widely recognized as a critical component of success; however, the
specific mechanisms by which communication patterns influence employee engagement and,
as a result, organizational performance remain unknown. This study seeks to close this gap by
conducting a thorough examination of the nature of organizational communication patterns and
their implications for employee engagement and performance outcomes.
1
INTRODUCTION TO THE STUDY
The business environment is changing rapidly; it has evolved as an important component of
the managerial process and management analysis. When all these factors are considered, good
communication is critical to the success of any industry or corporation. Communication
consumes 70-80% of working time. We are writing, reading, and listening to our coworkers
while having monotonous conversations with our managers.
The two broad categories of organizational communication strategies are external and internal
communication strategies. An organization's members working together to gather data and
information and increase employee engagement is what is meant to be meant by the term
"internal communication.". Internal communication increases organisational trust, which is
typically associated with commercial success. Management's participation in worker
communication is demonstrated by internal communications. As a result, management must
devise a strategy for company-wide communication. Communication is at the heart of any
organisation. This research is necessary because internal communication obstacles and threats
in an organisation reduce employee engagement and efficiency.
2
encompasses aspects such as job satisfaction, motivation, loyalty, and enthusiasm for their
roles. High levels of employee engagement are associated with increased productivity, lower
turnover rates, and better organizational performance (Saks, 2016). In the United States, studies
indicate a mixed trend in employee engagement over the past decade. According to Gallup's
"State of the Global Workplace" report, only 36% of U.S. workers were engaged in their jobs
in 2020, showing a slight increase from previous years but still highlighting a significant
portion of the workforce disengaged (Gallup, 2020). Factors contributing to this trend may
include issues such as job insecurity, lack of career advancement opportunities, and challenges
in work-life balance.
In the United Kingdom, employee engagement has been a focus for many organizations,
recognizing its importance in driving productivity and performance. The Chartered Institute of
Personnel and Development (CIPD) conducts regular surveys to assess employee engagement
levels across various sectors. According to their 2021 report, employee engagement levels in
the UK have been relatively stable, with around two-thirds of employees reporting feeling
engaged at work (CIPD, 2021). However, the report also highlights disparities across different
demographics and industries, indicating areas where organizations need to focus their efforts
to improve engagement.
In Japan, the concept of employee engagement is deeply intertwined with the culture of loyalty
and dedication to one's company, known as "shūshin koyō" or lifetime employment. However,
with changing economic conditions and demographic shifts, there has been a growing
recognition of the need to foster more active engagement among employees. According to a
study published in the "Journal of Human Resource Management," Japanese companies are
increasingly implementing initiatives such as employee involvement programs, training and
development opportunities, and work-life balance policies to enhance engagement levels
(Hollenbeck & Jamieson, 2019).
In Brazil, employee engagement is gaining prominence as organizations seek to improve
performance and competitiveness in a challenging economic environment. A study published
in the "Brazilian Journal of Management" explored the relationship between employee
engagement and organizational performance in Brazilian companies. The research found a
positive correlation between engagement levels and key performance indicators such as
profitability, customer satisfaction, and employee retention (Silva, Ramalho & Gomes, 2018).
This suggests that investing in strategies to enhance employee engagement can yield tangible
benefits for organizations operating in Brazil.
3
Communication and management scholars have identified the positive impact of employee
engagement on organizations that look for long-term business success and growth (Jiang &
Luo, 2018). Park, Lee, Lee, and Truex (2012) describe effective communication as an “ultimate
independent construct” (p. 461) that is “key to all antecedents” (Sharma & Patterson, 1999, p.
151) driving employee engagement. For the purposes of this paper, we define effective
communication through the quality of feedback, which goes beyond yearly performance
appraisals. It deals with day-to-day supervisor-employee and even co-worker-to coworker
feedback consistency and is consistent through time and situations. The timeliness and
usefulness of information received allow for a greater sense of support by the organization,
thus professing higher engagement levels (Steelman, Levy, & Snell, 2004). For the purposes
of this study, we will be focusing on the quality of feedback from the supervisor to the
employee that allows for clear communication of specific job-related information as well as
feedback of personal performance.
4
THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK IN LITERATURE REVIEW
Internal Communication has been defined as, “the communication flow among people within
the boundaries of an organization” (Mazzei, 2010). Internal communication is an enabler of
providing support to employees and is one of the primary factors for engaging them within
organisations. Adonis (2006) recognises transparency as the key to communication, and
suggests that communication should be regular, open, and verbal to increase trust between
employees and management as well as making employees feel important and reducing the
chances of the employees not knowing what is going on in the organisation.
According to Frank and Brownell (1989), internal communication refers to “Communication
transactions between individuals and/or groups at various levels and in different areas of
specializations that are intended to design and redesign organizations, to implement designs,
and to co-ordinate day-to-day activities.”
However, internal communication can be defined as “the planned role of communication
actions to systematically influence the knowledge, attitudes, and behaviours of the existing
employees” (Stauss & Hoffmann (2000) quoted in ‘Exploring Public Relations’, Tench R.,
Yeomans L.). According to Yeomans (2006) ‘Exploring Public Relations’, internal
communication can be referred to as “an organization’s managed communication system”
where employees are regarded as a public or stakeholder group.
5
relationships and frames behaviours of people in the workplace and is a significant factor in
the effectiveness of organisations (Pettinger, 2000 and Vecchio, Hearn & Southey, 1994).
The role of internal communication is undergoing several substantial changes (Baines, Egan
and Jefkins, 2004; Keenan and Hazelton, 2006; Therkelsen and Fiebich, 2003; Yeomans,
2006). Its various ‘eras’ (Harkness, 2004) have evolved from employee entertainment (1940s),
to informing (1950s), to persuading (1960s), to supporting industrial relations (1970s) to open
communication (1980s), to employee engagement (2010) (Tourish and Hargie, 1998; Smith
and Mounter, 2005; Tench and Yeomans, 2006). One of the most significant roles of internal
communication is now becoming employee engagement, involvement and commitment to
achieve organizational business goals, which highly relies on two-way participative
communication (Stroh & Jaatinen, 2002).
7
defined as intellectual and emotional commitment to the organization (Baumruk, 2004;
Richman, 2006; Shaw, 2005) or the amount of unrestricted effort that is exhibited by employees
in their respective jobs in an organization (Frank et al., 2004). The existence of several various
definitions makes it challenging and difficult to determine one single explanation of employee
engagement. Additionally, unless there is a universally accepted and implemented definition
of employee engagement and its measurement, it will not be effectively managed (Ferguson,
2007).
According to Peter R. Garber (2007), nine key factors of employee engagement enabled by
effective internal communication; namely: Commitment, Attitude, Alignment,
Communication, Goals, Customer Focus, Loyalty, Involvement and Ownership. Organizations
that have identified the drivers and factors of employee engagement have been able to allocate
their resources in a strategic manner, driving successful employee engagement.
8
➢ Barriers to Effective Communication:
The study conducted by Dr. Saikumari.V (2023) involved surveying working professionals
in the IT and Corporate sector around Chennai. The results highlighted a significant
relationship between internal communication channels and employee engagement. The
research model proposed four key factors - frequency, content, quality, and channel - that
influence employee engagement.
9
HYPOTHESIS
Therefore, from the findings of literature review of several cited research papers and studies,
several scholars and practitioners are identifying the role and importance of internal
communication, and stating how it has benefitted several organizations in the long run.
Although the term “employee engagement” has been gaining popularity since the last two
decades. And, various scholars and organizations are beginning to identify internal
communication as one of the primary factors that is influencing and encouraging employee
engagement and its importance. Thus, this research aims to further study the importance and
role of internal communication and reduce the existing gap between internal communication
and its impact on employee engagement in organizations.
METHODOLOGY
The study adopted a desktop research methodology. Desk research refers to secondary data or
that which can be collected without fieldwork. Desk research is basically involved in collecting
data from existing resources hence it is often considered a low cost technique as compared to
field research, as the main cost is involved in executive’s time, telephone charges and
directories. Thus, the study relied on already published studies, reports and statistics. This
secondary data was easily accessed through the online journals and library.
FINDINGS
This study presented both a contextual and methodological gap. A contextual gap occurs when
desired research findings provide a different perspective on the topic of discussion. For
instance, Wang &Liu (2020) investigated the role of leadership communication in fostering
employee engagement in Chinese manufacturing firms. The researchers conducted a
quantitative survey of employees from various manufacturing companies, measuring their
perceptions of leadership communication practices and their level of engagement. They also
collected organizational performance data. The study found a strong positive relationship
between leadership communication effectiveness and employee engagement. Companies with
supportive and communicative leaders reported higher levels of engagement among
employees. Wang and Liu suggested that manufacturing firms invest in leadership
10
development programs, provide regular communication training for managers, and establish
feedback mechanisms to enhance employee engagement. On the other hand, the current study
focused on internal communication strategies and employee engagement.
Secondly, a methodological gap also presents itself, for example, Wang &Liu (2020), in their
study on the role of leadership communication in fostering employee engagement in Chinese
manufacturing firms; they conducted a quantitative survey of employees from various
manufacturing companies, measuring their perceptions of leadership communication practices
and their level of engagement. They also collected organizational performance data.
CONCLUSION
Firstly, it is evident that effective internal communication strategies play a crucial role in
fostering employee engagement. Studies have consistently shown that transparent
communication, two-way communication, leadership communication, and the use of multiple
communication channels are associated with higher levels of employee engagement.
Organizations that prioritize open dialogue, provide opportunities for feedback, and ensure
clarity and consistency in communication are more likely to have engaged and motivated
employees.
Furthermore, the findings highlight the importance of leadership communication in driving
employee engagement. Leaders who communicate openly, demonstrate empathy, and provide
direction and support to employees contribute significantly to fostering a positive work
environment and enhancing engagement levels. Leadership communication is particularly
critical in shaping organizational culture and values, which in turn influence employees'
perceptions of their role within the organization and their commitment to its goals.
However, despite the clear benefits of effective internal communication strategies, challenges
and barriers exist that hinder their implementation and impact on employee engagement. Issues
such as information overload, language barriers, cultural differences, and discrepancies in
communication effectiveness across different departments and branches have been identified
in the studies reviewed. Addressing these challenges requires a multifaceted approach,
including training programs for managers and employees, investment in technology
infrastructure, and the establishment of clear communication protocols and feedback
mechanisms.
Overall, the findings of this study underscore the importance of internal communication as a
strategic tool for enhancing employee engagement and driving organizational success.
11
By understanding the nuances of communication practices and their impact on engagement
levels, organizations can develop tailored strategies to cultivate a culture of transparency,
collaboration, and empowerment, ultimately leading to a more engaged and productive
workforce. However, it is essential for future research to delve deeper into specific
communication strategies and their effectiveness in different organizational contexts, as well
as to explore emerging trends and challenges in the ever-evolving landscape of internal
communication and employee engagement.
13
Reference :
➢ https://www.culturemonkey.io/employee-engagement/employee-engagement-
communication/
➢ https://haiilo.com/blog/organizational-communication-9-steps-to-create-a-successful-
strategy/
➢ https://cerkl.com/blog/employee-engagement-retention/
➢ https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/enhancing-organizational-performance-
comprehensive-umakanth-naidu-lspmc
➢ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9257226/
➢ https://ppl-ai-file-upload.s3.amazonaws.com/web/direct-files/109046/2c6f5cb6-eea7-
438b-aad6-
02a2cc4dca26/Internal_Communication_Strategies_and_Employee_Eng.pdf
➢ https://digitalscholarship.unlv.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2177&context=thesesd
issertations
➢ https://journal.unm.ac.id/index.php/ijobec/article/download/75/106/475
➢ https://www.contactmonkey.com/blog/internal-communication-challenges
➢ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10267558/
➢ https://www.researchgate.net/publication/346766774_Effective_Organizational_Com
munication_a_Key_to_Employee_Motivation_and_Performance
➢ https://www.alert-software.com/blog/internal-communications-challenges
➢ https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/23197145231209643?icid=int.sj-
abstract.citing-articles.2
➢ https://www.scirp.org/journal/paperinformation?paperid=107818
➢ https://tettra.com/article/internal-communication-challenges/
➢ https://go.gale.com/ps/i.do?aty=open-web-
entry&id=GALE%7CA247338944&it=r&linkaccess=abs&p=AONE&sid=googleSch
olar&sw=w&userGroupName=anon~5183b92&v=2.1
➢ https://www.researchgate.net/publication/375748736_Assessing_the_Organizational_
Communication_Style_and_Its_Effect_on_Employees%27_Performance_in_the_Cas
e_of_Wachemo_University
➢ https://www.researchgate.net/publication/369762838_The_Effects_Of_Employee_Co
mmunication_And_Engagement_On_Organisational_Performance_A_Conceptual_St
udy
14
➢ https://jurnal.ahmar.id/index.php/daengku/article/view/970/645
➢ http://www.diva-portal.org/smash/get/diva2:1335082/FULLTEXT01.pdf
➢ https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/268004477.pdf
➢ https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3387/13/10/223
➢ https://scholar.archive.org/work/uevkvtfeafdrjgiypthipbqdru/access/wayback/https:/ltu
-figshare-repo.s3.aarnet.edu.au/ltu-figshare-
repo/38789529/43341_SOURCE02_2_A.pdf?AWSAccessKeyId=RADjuIEnIStOwNi
A&Expires=1674182681&Signature=ZDfAA0aHotEvPtzC9C2ojQhjgEM%3D
➢ https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/23197145231209643
➢ https://ojs.amhinternational.com/index.php/jebs/article/view/3430
➢ https://www.researchgate.net/publication/270968609_The_influence_of_internal_com
munication_on_employee_engagement_A_pilot_study
➢ https://www.startquestion.com/survey-ideas/effect-of-communication-pattern-on-
employee-performance/
➢ https://www.webology.org/data-
cms/articles/20221229101641pmWEBOLOGY%2017%20%282%29%20-%201.pdf
➢ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9257226/
➢ https://www.researchgate.net/publication/336768696_Influence_of_Communication_
Patterns_on_Employee_Performance_in_Selected_Large_Manufacturing_Businesses
_in_Eritrea
➢ https://www.researchgate.net/publication/374327540_Employee_engagement_and_or
ganizational_performance
➢ https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/233618153.pdf
➢ https://ojs.amhinternational.com/index.php/jebs/article/view/3430
➢ https://www.researchgate.net/publication/295812195_A_STUDY_ON_IMPACT_OF
_EMPLOYEE_COMMUNICATION_ON_EMPLOYEE_ENGAGEMENT_LEVEL
➢ https://scholar.utc.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1694&context=theses%3BAn
➢ https://knepublishing.com/index.php/KnE-Social/article/download/11522/18675
➢ https://digitalscholarship.unlv.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2177&context=thesesd
issertations
➢ https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/09722629221101157
➢ https://engageforsuccess.org/effective-communication/effective-communication/
➢ https://www.scirp.org/journal/paperinformation?paperid=107818
15