1.1 Introduction
Effective communication is a key component to business success it helps meet challenges such as advances in technology, growth of globalization and workplace diversity. Productivity entails 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 (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. The business market environment conditions are continuously changing. The competition is heating up; information is being disseminated faster than ever thanks to developing technology (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, Limitation of the study and Definition of 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).
As business is becoming more and more complex, organizations are tending to group together and to increase in size. Establishments in the same group of companies may frequently be separated geographically by considerable distance. Therefore, it is impossible to hold effective meetings or to contact all interested parties. Consequently, a good communications is essential to the effective operation of any organization. This is because of its persuasive nature.
According to Bovee and Thill (2005), communication is 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).
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 Nigeria where the research was carried out, the activities that was conducted is to examine the Role of Communication in Enhancing Productivity in an Organization.
1.3 Statement of Problems
Investigation revealed that poor communication in the area under review may lead to conflict at the detriment of efficient and effective communication and the ultimate success of the organization concern. 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 examine the Role of Communication in Enhancing Productivity in an Organization using Nigerian Bottling Company in Abia State as a case study. In achieving this aim, the following specific objectives were laid out as follows:
- To evaluate ways of improving effective communication in an organization;
- To evaluate the roles of communication in the area under review;
- To determines barriers to effective communication in an organization; and
- To examine the significant relationship between communication and productivity in an organization.
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:
- Can wrong choice of communication channel lead to low productivity?
- Does barrier in communication has effects on productivity?
- What are the benefits of effective communication to workers productivity in an organization?
- How can one identify ineffective communication on workers’ productivity in an organization?
- Is there any significant relationship between communication and productivity in an organization?
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 has no effect on productivity
- H2: Barrier in communication has an effect on 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 study will specifically benefit Nigerian Bottling Company, the employees and the consumers at large for the organization. It will experience meeting up with its production, sales and profit targets without any bottleneck for the employees, materials will always be available for continuous production without a delay. Huge financial returns will occur to boost their wages and bonuses. The consumers will enjoy quantity and quality goods and services on schedule.
To the researcher, it is a requirement for the award of national diploma in business administration and management, while to the Nigerian Bottling Company; 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 Role of Communication in Enhancing Productivity in an Organization using Nigerian Bottling Company in Abia State as a case study.
