THE CAUSES AND EFFECTS OF COMMUNICATION BREAKDOWN IN AN ORGANIZATION

1.1 Introduction

Communication can mostly be facilitated through language and language is purely abstract in nature thus a well spoken language earns benefits and purpose of communication. The more an individual increases its vocabulary, the like/she visualize his words, object and phrase. Many people attach difficult meaning to gesture communication and as such it poses problem. Effective communication is a key component to business success it helps meet challenges such as advances in technology, growth of globalization and workplace diversity (Boveel et al., 2004). It equally, defines most organizations in terms of their marketing campaigns, productive interpersonal relationships among co-workers and successful customer service resolutions (Dortok, 2006).

As a prelude to other parts of this study, this chapter will discuss the background upon which this study was initiated, the statement of problems that led to this study, the Aim and Objectives of the study. Others are Significance of the study, Scope of work, Research hypothesis and questions, Limitations of the Study and Definition of technical terms.

1.2 Background of Study

Communication has been widely accepted by scholars and academics as the lifeblood of an organization. This is because communication is needed for exchanging information and opinions, making plans and proposals, reaching agreement, executing decisions, sending and fulfilling orders and conducting sales (Alysa, 2005; Blalock, 2005; Kotler, 2006). Communication is the means by which firms attempt to inform, persuade and remind consumers directly or indirectly about the products and brands that they sell. This form of communicating to the customers does not just deal with the products and brands but also deal with the image of the company to the consumers (Kotler, 2006).

Communication is derived from the Latin word “communis” meaning common. Communication is the activity or the process of expressing ideas and feelings (Bonner and Chaney, 2002).

Communication is also defined as the process of sending and receiving messages. They further explained that communication is only effective when the message is understood, and when it stimulates action or encourages the receiver to think in so many ways (Bovee and Thill, 2005). Productivity is about the effective and efficient use of all resources. Resources available for organizations to achieve productivity include time, people, knowledge, information, finance, equipment, space, energy, and materials. It is now a must that not only production, finance and business processes, but also communication processes are managed strategically.

Accordingly, the assumption that a company‘s interaction with its stakeholders is what makes up its corporate image and this interaction has an impact on the company‘s business productivity. Communication is more than mere thought, speech or document. It is a process that involves thought and action and it is on-going. It occupies more time than any other activity and often makes the difference between success and failure for the organization as a whole (Adler and Elmhorst, 2005).

Practitioners and researchers point to education and communication as the key for corporations to transform the behavior of their employees toward embracing and accepting diversity. They continue that a diverse workforce that effectively communicates can take advantage of the strengths, talents, and differences in the workplace. This eliminates communication barriers and develops employees to their fullest potential, and also increase productivity (Okoro and Washington, 2012).

Management of business resources is essential that a manager understands the requirements of customer demands. This can be achieved by explaining the requirements of customers to employees; establish a well-defined communication plan that clearly identifies work to be performed; and define and implement distinct methodologies to be used in the completion of all activities and tasks efficiently (Teng, 2013). Conductively, however effective communication brings about efficiency, mutual understanding and effectiveness. Communication in an organization flows in different directions it can be from the management to the employee or from employee to management. The information that flows from management to employee is usually instructions, queries or question and filing of forms for making decisions.

Therefore, in Lagos State Military Hospital where the research was carried out, the activities that was conducted is to investigate the Causes and Effects of Communication Breakdown in an Organization.

1.3 Statement of Problems

Investigation revealed that in spite of the roles of effective communication in improving organizational performance, it is a pity that some pay lip service to the maintenance of effective communication systems. The attitude of management and workers undermine the level of production. Many system of communication have been operated in the offices which have nothing to do with productivity level just because the right system is not used at the right time to the right person (Chudi, 2013).

1.4 Aim and Objectives of Study

The aim of the study is to investigate the Causes and Effects of Communication Breakdown in an Organization. In achieving this aim, the following specific objectives were laid out as follows:

1. To access the contribution and important role played by effective communication in an organization towards enhancing production and profitability.
2. To determine if Barrier in communication Breakdown have effects on organizational productivity
3. To identify the existing communication barriers in an organization.
4. To identify the possible barriers that lead to communication breakdown.
5. To ascertain and identify the problems of ineffective communication and to suggest possible solution so as to achieve better communication network in an enterprise.

1.5 Research Questions

The study came up with research questions so as to be able to ascertain the above stated objectives. The specific research questions for the study are stated below as follows:

• Are there existing communication barriers in an organization?
• Does Barrier in communication Breakdown have effects on organizational productivity?
• What is the contribution and important role played by effective communication in an organization towards enhancing production and profitability?
• What are the possible barriers that lead to communication breakdown?

1.6 Research Hypothesis

In order to pursue the objective of this study, the following generalized statements have been designed to guide and aids in obtaining the result for the experiment to be conducted. For this work, the null hypothesis will be represented with H0 while the alternative hypothesis will be represented with hypothesis H1.

Hypothesis One

• H0: The wrong choice of communication has no impact on low productivity
• H1: The wrong choice of communication has an impact on low productivity

Hypothesis Two

• H0: Barrier in communication Breakdown has no effect on organization productivity
• H2: Barrier in communication Breakdown has an effect on organization productivity

Hypothesis Three

• H0: There is no huge significance between effective communication and workers productivity in an organization.
• H3: There is a huge significance between effective communication and workers productivity in an organization.

Hypothesis Four

• H0: Ineffective communication has no impact on workers’ productivity in an organization
• H4: Ineffective communication has an impact on workers’ productivity in an organization

1.7 Significance of Study

The relevance and need for effective communication in an organization cannot be overemphasized; this research work will be of good help both to the researchers and to the military hospital.

To the researcher, it is a requirement for the award of national diploma in business administration and management, while to the military hospital ,it will provide its findings and recommendations. It will help to suggest a communication means that will guarantee high productivity of the workers thereby enhancing intending to work on related topics.

1.8 Scope of Study

The scope of the research is focused on the Causes and Effects of Communication Breakdown in an Organization using Military Hospital in Ikeja, Lagos State as a case study.

1.9 Limitations of the Study

During the course of this study, many things militated against its completion, some of which are:

1. Time Constraint: The time frame given to accomplish this project was very short due to school academic calendar and it was carried out under pressure which made the researcher not to implement some necessary features.
2. Research material: availability of research material is a major setback to the scope of the study.
3. Frequent power failure: This made the researcher append more money on fuel to ensure sustainable power.
4. Financial Constraint: Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire and interview).

1.10 Definition of Terms

Information: Information are processed data or result from logical manipulation of data which allows decision making.

Effect: The power to produce an outcome or achieve a result.

Communication: According to Udeze 2000, this is the act of impacting a communication or understanding to another person with the purpose of implementing an action that is coordinated towards a common end.

Productivity: It is the measure of how well resources are brought together in organization and utilized for accomplishing a set of result.

Organisation: According to Advanced learner dictionary, the person or committee who make up a body for the purpose of administering something.