Assessing the Role of Organizational Culture in Shaping Internal Communication Practices: The Case of Ati
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Date
2024-10
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
This study aims to assess the role of organizational culture in shaping the internal
communication practices within the Ethiopian Agricultural Transformation Institute (ATI),
using the Competing Values Framework (CVF) as its theoretical foundation. Despite the
critical role of communication in development-oriented organizations, limited research has
examined how organizational culture influences communication dynamics, particularly in the
Ethiopian context. This study addresses this gap by investigating the relationship between c
ultural dimensions and communication practices at ATI.
A quantitative research approach was employed, utilizing structured questionnaires
distributed to 195 respondents selected through stratified random sampling. The findings
reveal a mixed cultural environment at ATI, with dominant characteristics reflecting Clan and
Adhocracy cultures—emphasizing collaboration, innovation, and risk-taking—alongside
Market and Hierarchy cultures, which prioritize results and structured processes. Correlation
analysis demonstrates that communication practices are strongly and positively associated
with dominant characteristics (r = 0.798), moderately associated with employee management
(r = 0.543) and organizational glue (r = 0.567), and weakly associated with organizational
leadership (r = 0.398). Regression analysis further highlights that dominant characteristics (β
= 0.860) and organizational glue (β = 0.390) significantly enhance communication practices,
contributing to improved knowledge-sharing, alignment, and organizational productivity.
The study recommends strategies to strengthen communication practices, including improving
team alignment, fostering trust and respect, enhancing work climates, and promoting
continuous, unbiased information exchange. By addressing the interplay between
organizational culture and communication, this research provides valuable insights for
developmental institutions aiming to optimize communication practices and foster a cohesive,
goal-oriented culture.
This work fills a critical gap in understanding how culture shapes communication in
development-focused organizations, offering both theoretical contributions and practical
recommendations for enhancing communication effectiveness in similar institutional contexts.
Key words: organizational culture, communication practice, Competing Value Framework
(CVF), Dominant Characteristics, organizational Leadership, Organizational glue, Employee
management.
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Keywords
Ethiopian Agricultural Transformation