ABSTRACT
This research project it titled “the Role of
Communication in Enhancing labour-Management Relations (A case study of
Academic Pres Plc, Lagos). The study has assessed the role of communication
within the context of labour-management relationship, practice, but with
special focus on the employees of Academic Press Plc. Lagos, as a case.
Communication is household word which tends to facilitate understanding and
co-operation in the conduct of human activities. Furthermore, communication is
a vital tool in achieving organizational goods and enhancing industrial
harmony. Management needs to communicate effectively with workers in order to
get the desired results from their
efforts. Also, workers have to understand the policies and objectives of
management, if they must be efficient and effective in the fulfillment of their
job responsibilities. Hence, workers expect to be informed at all time about
issues that generally affect them.
This
study was primarily embarked upon to discover how communication can be sued to
create a better atmosphere for labour and management to co-exist and operate
peacefully and profitably in the purist of the set goals and objectives of the
organization. In addition, the study
also sought to find out the extent to
which any existence of communication gap would do good or harm to the
operations of various organizations, using Academic Press Plc, as a case
example. The copious literature was reviewed to analyze the views of different
scholars and researchers on the definition, role and application of
communication in labour management. This historical background of the study organization
was also particularly studies to familiarizes both the researcher and readers
with the mode of operation, origin and the human resources policy of that
organization. The details of these are provided in chapter Two of this Research
Report.
The
substantive issues of methodology and data processes are fully elaborated in
Chapter Three. In Chapter Four, the research data are presented, analyzed and
interpreted. In the analysis of data, particular use was made of the
chi-square(x2) statistic, in the testing of research hypotheses and
the determination of statistical relationship among the research variables.
Essentially, the questionnaires instrument, and the associated social
interviews had served well the needs of data gathering and research
objectively. The usage of a combination of research methods, that is, pure
survey strategies (e.g standard questionnaires and interviewing)along with
documentary analysis and extended observation f employee behavior, as well as
other industrial phenomena, had increased the robustness of data collected and
the overall quality of these data. Thus, the adopted research techniques for
this research had represented the best possible in the field circumstances.
Finally,
various recommendations are made in chapter Five for further research and for
policy implementation for mutual benefits that are derivable by the corporate
organization, the workforces and both the employee – based associations, and
the employers groups in Nigeria.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
Cover page i
Certification ii
Dedication iii
Acknowledgment iv
Abstract v
Table of
content viii
CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION
1.1 General backdrop of the research problem 1
1.2 Statement of the research problem 6
1.3 The purpose of the research study 9
1.4 Relevance of the research study 9
1.5. Scope and limitation of the research study 10
1.6 Research hypotheses 10
1.7 Definition of terms 11
CHAPTER TWO: REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE
2.1 Relationship between organization
management
and communication tell an listen approach
problem
solving
approach 13
2.2 Communication process and its nature in the
organization
process 25
2.3 Communication and organization theories 30
2.4 Communication channels downward
Communication
channel 37
2.5 Communication and industrial relations 38
2.6 Communication problem / barriers 40
CHAPTER THREE: METHODOLOGY
3.1 chapter review 44
3.2 Population of study 44
3.3 Sample size 45
3.4 Sampling techniques 45
3.5 Research instruments 45
3.6 Methods of data analysis 46
3.7 Historical background 46
3.8 Work force structure 48
3.9 Mode of operation 49
3.10
Organization structure 50
3.11 Grading / groups 52
CHAPTER FOUR: DATA ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION
4.1 Introduction 54
4.2 Background / descriptive information 55
4.2.1 Job designation 55
4.2.2 Age 56
4.2.3 Sex 57
4.2.4 Marital status 57
4.2.5 Education 58
4.3 Hypothesis testing 59
4.3.1 Hypothesis One 59
4.3.2 Hypothesis Two 62
4.3.3 Hypothesis Three 65
CHAPTER FIVE: SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION
5.1 Summary of research findings 68
5.2 Conclusion 70
5.3 Recommendations 75
Bibliography 79
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background to the Study
Maurice Cumming (1980) describes communication as the process of
conveying messages, facts, ideals, attitudes, opinions from one person to another so that they are
understood. Communication is a household word which brings about understanding
and co-operation in all aspects of human activity. This fact is supported by
McCauley (1981) who states that men are never so likely to settle a question
rightly as when they discuss it freely. The word "communication" is
derived from the Latin word "communicare" meaning 'to share', and
from the French word “communs” meaning ‘common’. Communication is a vital tool
in achieving organizational goals and enhancing industrial peace. Management
must communicate effectively with workers, in order to get the desired results
from their efforts. Also workers have to
understand the policies and objective of management if they must be efficient
and effective in carryout their duties.
Workers expects to be informed at all times on the issues that is affecting
them, to secure their loyalty and co-operation, their views must be
communicated on the issues that affecting their interest either as a group or
individual.
Management
must also communicate among themselves, if there must be cohesion in the
overall implementation of managerial polices within the organization. There us
no doubt that without communication, human interaction will be impossible. It
will result in the paralysis of social, economic and political activities in the
societies. Through communication, we have been able to share knowledge and
combine efforts. This ability has enabled us to develop and expand our store of
knowledge as well as our technology and culture. Without the capacity to
communicate at an advanced 'level, mankind would never have progressed
beyond the primal state.
Communication is important in all facets of
human endeavour. To this end, Stoner and Wankel (2008) have asserted that
communication is the process by which people express themselves, and through
which an individual gets others to understand what he feels, thinks, wants,
and needs, as well as accept them and take action, if necessary.
As a matter of
fact, there can be no business transaction's or daily activities without the necessary need to pass on or exchange information
between the sender and the receiver of that information. Communication can, therefore,
be regarded as the 'locomotive
of management.
In most indusial
organization, two principal actors are identified. These are the management or employers and the union or
workers. The government thus acts as the third pity in the industrial relations
system, and their roles, influence the economic growth of nay organization and
the nation in general.
Therefore,
the achievement of organizational objectives can only be realized through team
work efforts of the three actors, not by sole
efforts of any of three actors which necessitates human interactions and sharing or ideals. Thus, in these
situation that warrant human interaction,
there is the possibility of group differences based on varying emotions,' misconceptions, negative perception of ideas, opinions,
views, etc. There is need to harmonize the apparent
conflict of interests of both the employers and employees. Thus, it is paramount that healthy labour-management
relations should be based on the spirit
of reciprocity and on the existence of adequate and effective communication. It is against this background that an in achieving
understanding and co-operation in the work place.
1.2 PROBLEM OF THE STUDY
The study problem stems from, the existing unhealthy relationship
between labour and management in most small and large organizations.
Relationships between many employers of labour and their employees sometimes
remain strained. The labour situation in this country is more of the practice
of 'take it or leave it'; it is also antagonism from the union or labour. The
two parties often see each other as gaining or winning when and where the other
loses, rather than as partners working towards the success of not only the
organization but of themselves.
Poor communication is a problem, which has given rise to many sad
and unfortunate situations.
At a particular time, it may be struggle for job security, while
turning a deaf ear to organizational production targets. Although some organization
have good communication policies to enhance better understanding among the
labour force, communication problems sill persist in many others because of one
or more of the following reason. Often deliberately or accidentally. Inadequate
or misleading information about the company’s labour policies are given to
immediate or line supervisors for transmission to subordinates. Important
information improperly communicated, while neglecting the sue of workers
representative, often causes rancor between union members and management.
Also, perhaps due to poor communication network, management’s
deliberations and resolutions on future matter affecting employees carelessly,
leak through the grape vine or rumour.
This often results to rumour mongering, distortion of information and
possible causes of industrial disharmony. Improper communication methods can be
seen in some organization where “tale
severs” (i.e those who act as spies in an office) are used to get or give out
information resulting to rumour mongering and discontentment in working
environment. They are many other problems related to communication are to be
consider in this study.
1.3 THE PURPOSE OF
THE RESEARCH STUDY
The purpose of the study is to discuss how communication can be
used to create a better atmosphere for labour and management to operate peace
fully and profitably while pursuing the same organization set goals and
objectives, furthermore, it intends to find to the operations of an
organisation like academy press Plc. Also in order to reduce factors which can
bring dicharmony in labour relations,
this study intends to identify how communication can help management and labour
to approach each other as partners in the production business rather than a mere master-servant. It is also
designed to examine that extent to which
communication can minimize worker’s confrontational attitude to
management. Most importantly is how communication can reduce labour turn over
and stabilize the labour force and evaluate its roles one reducing accidents
and thereby stimulating increased efficiency of productivity.
1.4 RELEVANCE
OF THE RESEARCH STUDY
Man6 organization do not seen to recognize communicator as a tool
for achieving organizational goals and enhancing industrial peace. Often times,
are discovers that communication is taken for granted by some organization in
their corporate planning strategies. With this development and because of the
import role constant and effective communication plays in an organization, it
is envisaged that data collection from there will provide a basis for sold
argument in providing or disproving any assumption or hypothesis formulated for
the purpose of a debate. This study will assist managers, supervisors and all
the staff in apprising the role of communication in an organization.
1.5 SCOPE AND LIMITATION OF THE RESEARCH STUDY
The scope of this research is restricted to Academy press Plc,
Ilupeju. It will also cover various channels of communication, types of
relationship between the labour and management in this organization and an
examination of the environment that distorts or influence free flow of
communication.
1.6 RESEARCH HYPOTHESES
Three hypotheses are earmarked for testing in this research.
These are:
1. That, effective
communication will tend to promote/increase
2.
That, constant communication
may not prevent poor working relations and increase mutual trust. (i.e. that,
there is no significant relationship
between constant communications and good working condition and mutual trust).
3. That, establishing a good rapport between
-labour and management may not avert possible
strikes and lockouts.
HI: That increased
productivity and efficiency may be fully achieved with the aid of
communication
HO: That increased productivity and efficiency may
not be fully achieved with the aid communication
HI: That constant communication may prevent poor
working relationship and increase mutual trust
Ho: That constant communication may not prevent
poor working relationship and increase mutual trust
HO: That establishing a good rapport between the
labour and
management may avert possible strikes and lockouts.
HI: That establishing a good rapport between the
labour and
management may not avert possible strikes and lockouts.
1.7 DEFINITION OF TERMS
The following terms are defined for the purpose of celerity.
a.
Communication:- Appleby
(1981) defined communication as the means where by people in an organization
exchange information
regarding the-operation of an enterprise i.e. the inter changing of id3eas,
facts and emotions by two or more person by the use of words, letters, symbols
or speech.
b.
Effective: This means to be productive or been capable of producing.
c.
Efficient: Producing effectively
and with the least waste of effort, to be competent.
d.
Impact: Means the effect on
organizational success.
e.
Organization: Is an entity comprising
a number of people working collectively towards achieving a common goal.
f.
Sender: The individual or person
that conceives an idea at first
g.
Receiver: The person that the
idea conceived is sent to or person who decodes the idea.
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