Exploring Internal Communication Practice, There Role and Impact on Employees’ Engagment: The Case of Authority for Civil Society Organzations
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Date
2024-09
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Addis Abeba University
Abstract
This study aimed to explore the practices, roles, and challenges of internal organizational communication to enhance employee engagement at the Authority for Civil Society Organizations (ACSO). A mixed-methods approach was employed, combining both qualitative and quantitative research methods. For the quantitative component, five scale-based questionnaires were developed and distributed to a sample of 220 participants, selected through purposive sampling. Of the 220 questionnaires issued, 195 were completed appropriately, yielding an 88.63% response rate. Qualitative data was collected through interviews to assess the communication patterns and channels used within the organization. The study focused on examining the practices, roles, and challenges of internal communication at ACSO. The analysis revealed that the practice of internal communication at ACSO was moderate, with a pooled mean value of 3.12. Organizational communication played several key roles, including promoting positive communication within work areas, involving all employees in the communication process, fostering a positive work culture, and enhancing work satisfaction (pooled mean value 3.92). The challenges identified by respondents were significant, with a pooled mean value of 3.56, including issues such as under productiveness, limited satisfaction, delayed information dissemination, lack of effective communication platforms, and unclear or incomplete messages. Interviews revealed that communication patterns at ACSO predominantly follow a top-down structure, with text-based communication via social media and in-person interactions being the most common methods used for communication among employees. Based on the findings, the study recommends that both employees and management at ACSO prioritize the use of effective communication techniques at all levels of the organization. Furthermore, ACSO should assess its communication strengths and weaknesses, focusing on addressing the identified challenges to enhance overall communication effectiveness.