Poor Communication in Organizations: A Literature Review

This literature review explores the problem of poor communication in organizations, its impact, and potential solutions. It examines various industries and highlights the importance of effective communication for successful teamwork and business outcomes. The review also discusses research questions, methodology, and practical implications for addressing communication barriers.

Literature Review
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Table of Contents
Literature Review........................................................................................................................................2
Research Problem....................................................................................................................................2
Examination of Organizations..................................................................................................................2
Research Questions.................................................................................................................................2
Methodology...........................................................................................................................................2
Suggestion from Data..............................................................................................................................3
Strengths and Weaknesses of the Research............................................................................................3
Practical Implications...............................................................................................................................4
References...................................................................................................................................................6

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Literature Review
Research Problem
The research problem highlighted within the articles is, ‘poor communication processes’ in
different organizations. Poor communication in organizations occurs, because of confusion
regarding the work processes. There might be constant silence from some of the team members
during meetings, and this gives rise to several miscommunications. Some people might provide
suggestions to few issues but fail to address them adequately. Some might give false consent by
nodding their head, showing their agreement without actually agreeing.
Examination of Organizations
The articles examines the organizational problem of ‘poor communication’ in various
organizations such as hospitals, airlines, construction and art museum. In every organization,
communication is essential for teamwork. For a successful business, meeting deadlines and
achieving the targets, good communication is found to be necessary. When stress, unmet
expectations, dissatisfied clients, family issues and health problems combine together, it leads to
poor communication in the organizations. The lack of proper communication in organizations
could lead to poor performance, poor teamwork, and lower confidence which finally reduces the
profit. It can also lead to misunderstandings or miscommunication and creates conflict among the
employees.
Research Questions
1. Does poor communication have any impact on the organizations?
2. Does poor communication render the communication gap between the managers and the
employees of the organizations?
3. How does poor communication affect the managers and the employees of the organizations?
4. Does lack of communication have adverse effects on the productivity of employees?
Methodology
Various authors have examined the research question, on the basis of qualitative methodology.
The authors of some articles have used in-depth interviews as the research method. The in-depth
interviews are best for gathering information on the personal histories, experiences, and
perspective of the individuals, especially when a sensitive topic like poor communication in

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organizations is being discussed. A literature review is a critical analysis of different articles,
books and other sources related to the research topic. It also consists of current information
which includes relevant findings, theoretical and practical contributions to the research topic.
Suggestion from Data
The data suggested that the organizations have to pay attention to remove communication
barriers in global organizations. The organization must focus on the key issues and target, which
are the most critical areas for action. It is essential for an organization to create a baseline to
enhance effective communication that measures success and progress. The senior leaders of an
organization should make smart decisions that would help them to achieve communication and
business outcomes. It is significant to leverage communication resources in a systematic way that
would help understand how communication is working in different functions, divisions, and
geographies.
The act of measuring, plays an essential role in improving the poor communication.
Communication measurement is another effective way to improve communication that helps an
organization to engage and connect with the employees. It is highly recommended from the data
collected, that the managers of an organization must schedule regular time to communicate with
the employees regarding any such issues based on organizational activities. The organizations
have to pay attention to remove the communication barriers. It is essential to understand the
communication barriers in global organizations and try to overcome these barriers between the
diverse workforces.
Strengths and Weaknesses of the Research
As cited by Gamil, & Rahman, (2018), the researchers have found that due to the lack of
successful communication many projects gets failed. Lack of regular communication between
the construction parties is found to be the primary cause of poor communication. In the
construction organizations, communication is controlled through communication channels. As
stated by Hedman & Valo, (2015), the management teams from seven international organizations
have said that challenges in communication are related to teams meetings, leadership styles and
decisions making process. Informal communication has a major function in building trust and
effective practices of communication. As mentioned by Jenifer & Raman, (2015), the effective

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communication with various cultural people is extremely challenging. The intercultural
communication can provide more opportunities to promote global peace and prosperity.
Sethi & Rani, (2017) has stated that barriers in language, workplace environment, culture, and
work overload can lead to poor communication in hospitals. These barriers could be overcome
by increasing awareness among the nurses and patients along with proper workplace
environment. According to Skjeggestad, Gerwing & Gulbrandsen, (2017), the newly employed
doctors in a Norwegian hospital are concerned by poor communication due to barriers in a
language with their colleagues. In the words of Sthapit & Jiménez-Barreto, (2018), the poor
communication among the guests and host was the main reasons in the destruction of customer
value in Airbnb. It has led to losses of resources, time and money.
As mentioned by Thomson, Outram, Gilligan & Levett-Jones, (2015), achieving safe and quality
hospital depends on the successful communication among all the staffs of the hospital. As cited
by Ughetto, (2017), communication with various audiences is essential for the museum curators.
Lack of communication can lead to conflicts on the roles of the curators as well as the legitimate
activities of their employees. As stated by van Rosse, de Bruijne, Suurmond, Essink-Bot &
Wagner, (2016), the language barriers in the health care have shown a wide variety of risks for
the patients. It can be a treat in the quality of the health care. According to Waisbord, (2015), the
three issues of communication which needs attention are fragmentation, policy advocacy, and
effective support.
Practical Implications
The findings of the research on poor communication can provide a good platform to further
investigate the causes and its impacts on the local practitioners of the construction industry. The
management teams need to communicate and create reflective practices for developing effective
practices of communication. The newly employed doctors who are not local residents can get the
benefit if they receive support in understanding the language barriers. Adequate training in
intercultural communication and acquaintance to other cultures is necessary to remove the
language barriers.
The nurses have to be adequately trained in proper communication skills. The host must actively
communicate with the guests, check them in, and solve their query and deals with their issues.
Finding new solutions in the hospitals can reduce the communication gaps. Recognizing

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workplace identities and various targets can improve the professional communication and
increase the feeling of worth. It is essential to address the communication challenges to
smoothen the professional relationships and engage in more crucial debates to solve the issues of
poor communication in the global organizations.

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References
Gamil, Y., & Rahman, I. A. (2018). Identification of Causes and Effects of Poor Communication
in Construction Industry: A Theoretical Review. Emerging Science Journal, 1(4), 1-9
Hedman, E., & Valo, M. (2015). Communication challenges are facing management teams.
Leadership & Organization Development Journal, 36(8), 1012-1024.
Jenifer, R. D., & Raman, G. P. (2015). Cross-cultural communication barriers in the
workplace. International Journal of Management, 6(1), 348-351.
Sethi, D., & Rani, M. K. (2017). Communication Barrier in Health Care Setting as Perceived by
Nurses and Patient. International Journal of Nursing Education, 9(4), 32-35
Skjeggestad, E., Gerwing, J., & Gulbrandsen, P. (2017). Language barriers and professional
identity: A qualitative interview study of newly employed international medical doctors
and Norwegian colleagues. Patient education and counseling, 100(8), 1466-1472.
Sthapit, E., & Jiménez-Barreto, J. (2018). You never know what you will get in an Airbnb: poor
communication destroys value for guests. Current Issues in Tourism, 1-4.
Thomson, K., Outram, S., Gilligan, C., & Levett-Jones, T. (2015). Interprofessional experiences
of recent healthcare graduates: A social psychology perspective on the barriers to
effective communication, teamwork, and patient-centered care. Journal of
interprofessional care, 29(6), 634-640.
Ughetto, P. (2017). Scholars and poor communicators? Old Masters exhibitions as a scientific
practice and communication activity for art museum curators. Current Sociology, 65(3),
376-394.
Van Rosse, F., de Bruijne, M., Suurmond, J., Essink-Bot, M. L., & Wagner, C. (2016). Language
barriers and patient safety risks in hospital care. Mixed methods study. International
journal of nursing studies, 54, 45-53.
Waisbord, S. (2015). Three challenges for communication and global social
change. Communication Theory, 25(2), 144-165.