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Land Forces Academy Review

Vol. XXII, No 1(85), 2017

THE ROLE OF COMMUNICATION


IN ENHANCING WORK EFFECTIVENESS
OF AN ORGANIZATION

George BUCĂŢA
“Lucian Blaga” University, Sibiu, Romania
george.bucata@yahoo.ro

Alexandru Marius RIZESCU


“Nicolae Bălcescu” Land Forces Academy, Sibiu, Romania
mariusrizescu@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT
Communication is one of the most important levers of
management that a company can implement for the formation of teams
and achieving valuable performance. Communication and
management are complementary disciplines and strong business
elements for success. Management skills are essential in a business,
but all equally important are those relating to the rules for the
communication and the way in which a manager knows how to
interact with his staff. Being manager not only means to rein in
business, but mostly means knowing to coordinate a team, leadership
skills and most of all, communicate.

KEYWORDS: business communication, organizational communication,


work productivity

1. Introduction context we consider necessary the


It is essential that any type of intervention of managerial structures that
organization, which wishes to pursue an will adapt to all organization changes.
activity in full accordance with the society
in which it exists, to begin the work based 2. Internal Corporate Communication
on a pre-set plan, a management strategy Process
carefully designed as management Management should consider first
represents a vital aspect of the functioning people. The main aim of their involvement
of the organizational and the social systems, in the tasks they have undertaken, the
especially in the conditions of modern era, efficiency with which they are carried out
marked by the increasing complexity of as it is a very important parameter, bearing
technological and informational products, especially in mind that it requires
radical transformation at the level of social management to work together in teams.
structure, trends of globalization of the Management deals with the coordination of
economy and, especially, changes to the their activities, planning, organization and
product at the organizational level. In this coordination of pre-established objectives,

DOI: 10.1515/raft-2017-0008
© 2017. This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.
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levels, budget management and control and putting your thoughts in order and
assessments, as a result of the work carried presenting them in an accessible way, but
out. These management functions which also expressing them in a way that would
support work within the organization are capture the attention of the receiver (Beattie
bringing a touch of its dynamism. and Ellis, 2014).
The individuals of the organization, namely Communication makes possible the
the work force, will be the first to benefit interaction between members of the working
from the results of the strategy or not, team. A manager should be the first to
because they are the ones who execute the establish bridges between the members of the
tasks assigned to attain the objectives organization, through a careful and effective
(Bodie and Crick, 2014). communication. Through communication,
Therefore, a manager who is in charge organization activities scroll correctly.
of carrying out the functions of management A good manager will use communication in
will always use the processes of order to make it understandable to convey
communication in order to make it its message receptor exactly as we think in
understandable to coordinate its business order to obtain the expected feedback at the
activities, to make decisions and implement time of the initiation of the communicative
them, in order to conclude partnership and process. All these elements form the basis
cooperation agreements etc. Communication, of communication processes, whereby
from a management point of view, is the individuals of an organization will be able
process by which people are informed and to establish interpersonal connections,
guided to achieve the best results. which are be the basis of good management
To communicate effectively means not only activities, both internally and externally.

Figure no. 1 The internal corporate communications process


(Source: Miller, 2012)
As a management tool, communication Managerial communication must take
intends to establish good interpersonal into account a number of conditions:
relationships, non-confrontational and based ‒ a concise and precise formulation
on the achievement of common goals: to of the message to be understood
increase the level of skills, the need to easily and in full;
mobilize employees on the path of changing ‒ rapid transmission of the message;
goals, in order to exploit to the fullest of their ‒ fluency and assurance of
work force the evolution of forms of reversibility of communication;
production. It resembles some of the factors ‒ use of a common language of the
that could explain the objective of increasing transmitter and receiver;
the role of communication.

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‒ simplifying the communication their organization and only 10 % of
channels; the time, to communicate with
‒ ensuring flexibility and superiors.
adaptability of the system of ‒ Informational role, whereby
communication to be used in any managers collected information
situation (Burnside-Lawry, 2011). from colleagues, from subordinates
Only effective communication can and through other contacts, trying to
enable the successful completion of these keep themselves informed about
requirements, which are necessary for anything that might affect their work
conducting tool organization. According to and responsibility. Also, they in
some authors, communication management is turn, disseminate, and provide
a form of interpersonal leadership, a tool with important information.
which the manager may exercise specific ‒ The role of decision-making:
powers: forecasting, training, organization, managers implement new projects,
coordination, control, evaluation. According allocate resources on individuals
to these boundaries of communication and work compartments within the
management, the manager can arrange tasks organization. Some of the decisions
in a more efficient manner, he can are taken in private, but they are
communicate more easily with employees, based on information that has been
have a starting point in making decisions, a disclosed before.
well developed plan. Analyzing the three roles, a common
Furthermore, the managerial result is obtained, namely the importance of
communication has a triple role: communication in the organization without
‒ Interpersonal role: managers act as which things might not work. Lack of
leaders of the organization, communication may cause certain problems
interacting with peers, subordinates, to achieving the objectives of the company.
customers from the organization and Employees are the most important
from outside. Specialized studies resource of the organization, and the way in
mention that managers use about which they are actively involved in
45 % of the time for communication, attaining the strategic objectives of the
in discussions with colleagues at the company for which they work is crucial to
same hierarchical level, 45 % get the expected performance of top
communicating with employees in management (Kandlousi et al. 2010).

Figure no. 2 Communication Process Management


(Source: Beattie, & Ellis, 2014)

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3. Communication Process Internal professional communication has
Management been challenged over the last decade,
The motivated and dedicated gradually passing from the internal
employees are the dream of any employer communication programs intended
because they are the ones that increase the exclusively for the dissemination of
productivity of the company, maintain a information within the organization,
positive working environment and based on whether uni-or bi-directional, to programs
collaboration and teamwork, are loyal to the of involvement and motivation of
company. In short, they are the ones who employees (Miller, 2012).
ensure the long-term success of the In general terms, communication
organization (Frandsen, Johansen and Pang, inside a company:
2013). – creates job satisfaction: organizations
Motivating employees, however, is that encourage a distribution of information
not an easy thing to get. Motivation, from between seniors and subordinates, as well as
the psychological point of view, is the basis between employees of the same departments;
of each individual’s behavior, both in the a good feedback brings only benefits,
sphere of personal and professional. When motivates employees to work better and
we talk about an employee’s behavior at makes them feel valuable to the company;
work, motivation has strict concerning the open communication prevents the occurrence
manner in which it perceives its role within of conflicts and helps solving them faster.
the organization, with the way in which his When a conflict is resolved through
work is appreciated, both in terms of value discussion, employees develop mutual
(the fact that he receives a salary for his respect, which leads to an their development,
work), and the social aspect (the way in both professionally and personally;
which his work is regarded by others) but – grows productivity; effective
also with human relations established in the communication in the workplace is an
professional area. important issue for the success or failure of
In addition to human resource the organization; managers need to define,
policies that are implemented in any to explain thoroughly the objectives to be
organization in terms of financial packages, accomplished, communicate to employees
career plans, training programs and the responsibilities and duties that have to
professional development, internal be met; if the line ahead is clear, the
communication programs have a very employees will know exactly what they
important role in enhancing the motivation have to do and how to focus on that,
of employees. The explanation is simple: leading to increased productivity;
numerous studies have shown that, at the – uses resources more effectively:
international level, great importance is when problems, crises and conflicts arise in
given to the non-financial factors, such as: an organization, due to the lack of
the relationship between professional life communication between employees,
and private life and quality relationships unnecessary delays in the daily routine
with coworkers. Internal communication occur; it comes down to a resource leak and
programs contain increasingly more often end up in decreasing the overall
such factors of non-financial motivation. productivity.

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Figure no. 3 The positive engagement model (communication perspective)
(Source: Ruck & Welch, 2012)

As leader or manager in an information flow in the largest part of the


organization, the person in charge needs to head of the group: the concern to inform the
make him/her understood, and to send the collaborators in the work and to inform
information to arrive at the receiver in time, them correctly, the ability to create
in order to be processed; if it is lost then the conditions for all to be able to express
fault will occur at the organizational level. themselves freely. In this sense, permissive
Effective communication involves position communication is expressed
expressing the content and intention of the through the fact that it does not interfere
transmitter to the receiver provided that the with the stifling premature criticism of an
receiver may have understood the message opposite view, but also gives the possibility
and that between receiver and transmitter of discussion (Ledbetter, 2014).
there are certain differences. It is pointless This open attitude towards the
using the mind to dominate the heart. dynamics of group discussion is not an
We act more on the basis of what we feel instinctive human ability, but, on the
instead of based on what we think. contrary, it requires adequate training for
If employees do not maintain harmonious those who have status and leadership
feelings among them, emotional barriers responsibilities. Most problems encountered
will appear. Communication is primarily a in the process of communication lies in the
matter of confidence and acceptance of issues of credibility. Each sees the world
ideas and feelings of others. If we manage through their own systems of reference-
to leave aside the spirit of adversity, social influenced by feelings, beliefs and behavior.
norms, exaggerated attention to building Many problems of credibility can be solved if
their own images, we save a lot of energy at least one of the parties concerned, realizes
and time. A large part of the decision- that at the basis there is only a problem of
making process in the organization requires perception, the latter must investigate the
working in teams. Driving groups allows matter so as to understand (King, 2015).
the purchase of information, information Verbal communication is used in
that is required for efficient management. everyday life, but also in human
In this context, if the working party relationships within an organization. Verbal
must act to be effective, it requires ensuring communication is to be treated as an
open communication between participants integral part of every person’s
and the responsibility rests with the responsibility towards the people around it.

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Figure no. 4 The relationship between types of managerial problems
and managerial decisions (communication perspective)
(Source: Slatten, Göran & Sander, 2011)

Language represents natural language expressing our heartfelt feelings, we present


but there are other artificial languages, such the standpoint of starting to demonstrate a
as sign-used by deaf and dumb or computer clear understanding of other points of view.
language. Communication is more a matter of trust
The spoken language is the one that and acceptance of others, their feelings and
helps us communicate with our fellow ideas that are different and that, from their
human beings in different circumstances: in point of view, have the same intellect (Ruck
the family, at school, among friends, at & Welch, 2012).
work, etc. The way we use language From a theoretical point of view,
to make it efficient is what makes us motivation and performance are two separate
good communicators. In relationships, concepts. Managers are interested first in their
communication plays an especially employees to attain the company’s important
important role. It depends on how we professional objectives. It focuses on concrete
communicate the organization’s mission, as results, quality and low costs. Successful
part of which they can be achieved, and we completion of these targets is the result of a
have a successful career that we choose. series of factors, which may include: effort,
Regardless of the place of work, no matter time and the effective engagement of people.
who is our basic professional band, which The effectiveness of the decisions
helps us take decisions, express thoughts, depends on the quality and dedication of the
ideas, feelings, attitudes and so we are people, and is achieved by dedication and
understood and appreciated. involvement. The change process provides
To communicate ideas or feelings, we the opportunity to use two-thirds of our
use sounds and symbols, with a generally energy on reducing restrictive forces and a
accepted sense, which are called words. third on the driving forces of growth.
Effective communication requires skills, Because each situation is different, we have
and their development requires practice. to study the restrictive nature of the forces
Wanting to express both content and and try turning as more of these into driving
intention, we are learning the language of forces. Involving him and others, some of
logic and emotion-the latter being by far the the driving forces that already exist in
most powerful and most motivating effect. normal people can be found here. When the
We listen with our eyes first, and with our proposed driving forces synchronize with
heart and only then with the ears. We seek the internal motivations and impulses of
to understand the intent of communication team members, we have a team that solves
without prejudice. Allowing extra time and the problems together.
patience, trying to understand and

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4. Organizational Culture and comfortably penetrate in the cultures where
Communication there is low confidence. In order for the
The culture in which confidence is members of the team to function, they must
created by high upright people (who make have fundamental skills in communication
promises to them and to others, and keep (the ability to understand thoroughly the
them), mature (balances the courage and others and being understood by them) and
self-respect, are able to express their ideas organization (ability to plan, act and do)
and feelings with courage, balanced by and in resolving problems synergically (the
respect for the ideas and feelings of others) ability to arrive at solutions that represent a
and with the mentality of abundance (we third alternative). A manager can provide
assume that there are enough resources for strategic direction and vision, can motivate
everyone, have a deep appreciation for and build a team based on mutual respect,
other people and consider solutions that which are complementary for each other,
represent a third alternative have an whether we are talking more about
unlimited potential). People of character are efficiency than performance, about
free to interact with genuine synergy and direction and results than the methods,
creativity, and therefore they can systems and procedures.

Figure no. 5 Organizational culture and communication


(Source: Kandlousi, et al, 2010)
Communication is an asset available to Organizational communication can be
each organization and must be harnessed for divided in two directions: inside
the purpose of attaining the aims set out communication and outside communication.
which are of major importance. This asset is Inside communication proposes that
seen, on the one hand, as a series of products, information transmission triggers the
services, brands, and performance, part of fulfilment, by the staff of those activities,
respecting the objectives of the organization while ensuring a stimulation of the employees
and on the other hand even as personality. towards their adhesion to the objectives of the
Permanent contact with the developing organization. Outside communication implies
organization creates connections: whether contacts which have the object of business
you are with your customers, suppliers, through connections with suppliers,
competitors, employees, or other audiences, distributors, consumers, public opinion,
all of which cannot exist without a together with the promotion of these ties.
communicative potential (Slatten, Göran and Communication is a relational
Sander, 2011). process, in which two or more parties shall

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exchange information, understand and informs all those interested in information
influence each other; it is an indispensable about the activities and actions undertaken
element for the optimal operation of any (Vidales Gonzáles, 2011).
human collectivities. This consists of the Communication between employers
transmission, receipt, storage, processing and and employees will be more efficient if, after
use of information. Communication is also a a period of three months of employment,
functional way of psycho-social interaction of employees were asked to complete a
people, achieved by means of symbols and questionnaire regarding satisfaction at work.
meanings of the generalised social-reality, in Then, these questionnaires should be applied
order to obtain stability in times of changes of to all employees each year, the answers being
individual and group behavior. Effective interpreted by specialists. Another effective
communication requires specialized method of communication and, at the same
personnel in the field of communication, time, a way to improve the performance of
which deals with communication of your employees and your organization’s
information both internally and externally. development would be the existence of a
Internal communication aims to send, program with employees so that when they
by audiences, suitable messages on which have something to say they can confidently
the organization wishes to serve in society. go to the employer and discuss openly about
Effective internal communication will any concern.
certainly result in the welding of the team In order to achieve the desired
working in a harmonious relationship objectives, employers need to be aware that
between the employee and the employer, people are less predictable and less
whereas it offers everyone the chance to get manipulated, and managers need to work
to know each other, get to know the with people requesting more wisdom, energy
organization’s objectives in working and experience than to work with lifeless
effectively, to work, to actively participate things. Therefore, the relationship between
in all activities within the Organization, to employee and employer acts as a factor of
be more motivated, etc. As an instrument of utmost motivation for the employee.
internal communication, through which the Employers must not omit employee
Organization informs, reminds, announces acknowledgements when required. Everyone
projects, policies, actions, activities etc., a wants to be appreciated, wants to see that his
periodic newsletter can be used, sent via progress does not remain unnoticed, so that
e-mail or on paper. recognition, preferably in public, of his merits
External communication refers to matter enormously. Being appreciated, the
communication management strategy, employee will be more motivated, more
which any organisation applies for the effective, more efficient, and this only
purpose of communicating messages to the requires resources of time, not necessarily
general public. Any kind of information, money.
consultation, advertisement, brochure,
letter, and any form of contact between 5. Conclusions
persons or things in your organization and The communication process in a
those outside it is or should be part of the company is therefore an essential
communication strategy. External management tool, a particular complexity
communication takes into account: the of the management system. The role of
identity of the organization, the communication as a management tool is to
organization’s image, brand identity/brand, facilitate relationships between people, to
integrated campaigns. Through them, the establish an environment beneficial to the
organization/institution is known and internal development of the organization.

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Managers must be aware that perseverance which they must acquire or refine to obtain
in learning how to communicate should be the expected results set in the company’s
a top priority for them, being the main skill objectives.

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