XYZ Company: Factors Impacting Communication in the Workplace Report

This report, prepared as an executive summary for the Director of Communications at Company XYZ, examines three key factors impacting communication in today's workplace. The analysis, based on research from academic and industry journals, identifies perceived proximity, employee-supervisor relationships, and organizational change as critical elements. The report highlights how shared values, trust, and effective communication during periods of change significantly influence workplace dynamics. The student uses at least two of the three sources to support the claims, arguments and ideas in the report. The report emphasizes the importance of fostering open communication channels and understanding these factors for organizational success. This assignment is available on Desklib, a platform providing AI-powered study tools for students.

Running head: MANAGEMENT COMMUNICATION
Management Communication
Name of the Student:
Name of the University:
Author Note:

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To: The Director of Communication
From:
XYZ Company
Date:
Topic: Factors Impacting on Communication in Today’s Workplace
Communication is most essential for the success of any business. In a work environment
establishing an effective communication among the employees as well as between the
employee and supervisor is extremely important for the successful running of the
organization. There are certain factors that affect communication in a work environment.
Among these factors, perceived proximity, employee-supervisor relationship and
organizational change are most influential.
Similarity in Thought and Socio-cultural Background
According to O'Leary, Wilson and Metiu (2014), the most important factor that affect
communication is perceived proximity. It has been found out by the researchers that if the
employees of an organization know or feel that they share any proximity or commonness
with another employee, communication between them becomes easier. This perception of
similarity could be many things. A shared view or values, shared locality, culture, religion
and practices are all parts of perceived proximity. Earlier, people believed that geographical
proximity created a peer sense or relational value among the employees (Husain 2013). This
proved to be incorrect later on. The study finds that if connections are found among the
employees regarding work commitment and work ethics, morals and values, shared familial
responsibility created a deep bond among people in workplace. The bond thus created

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becomes so deep that the conversations might take place from miles away. Another aspect
that comes to the surface that this factor also leads to a kindled interest in working with these
peers.
Employee-Supervisor Relationship
It is believed by the researchers as well as the managers of large organizations that the
relationship shared between the staffs and the managers have immense impact on the
communication in a workplace. According to Payne (2014), “Dissent expression is an
important form of employee communication practice that has the potential to improve
workplaces and work lives.” The factor that enable the employees to express their
disagreements is trust on their supervisor. If the supervisor has been able to instill the belief
within his subordinates that he is open to criticism and new ideas and any opinion that the
employees expressed would not be considered negatively, the employees too will feel
confident to come forward. This practice is necessary as this instills good organizational
practice and reduces the rate of attrition in an organization and facilitate change. This concept
is echoed by O'Leary, Wilson and Metiu (2014) where the similarity
Organizational Change
According to Husain (2013), the communication quality in a workplace has impact on many
organizational aspect. The author states that through effective communication, an
organization can facilitate change. The process of change is an extremely confusing and
unstable stage for any organization. The employees fear for their job and the managers and
owners fears for the survival of the organization. In this situation, with effective
communication, the managers and leaders can assure the employees as well as the stake
holders, they can communicate the rationale of the change and the methodology that they will

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adopt. Payne (2014), too, explore the impact of the factor of ‘trust’ instilled by the leaders, on
the employees.

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References
Husain, Z., 2013. Effective communication brings successful organizational change. The
Business & Management Review, 3(2), p.43.
O'Leary, M.B., Wilson, J.M. and Metiu, A., 2014. Beyond being there: The symbolic role of
communication and identification in perceptions of proximity to geographically dispersed
colleagues. MIS quarterly, 38(4), pp.1219-1243.
Payne, H.J., 2014. Examining the relationship between trust in supervisor–employee
relationships and workplace dissent expression. Communication research reports, 31(2),
pp.131-140.