Exploring the Influence of Management Communication Behaviors
Transcript Of Exploring the Influence of Management Communication Behaviors
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
Walden University
ScholarWorks
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Collection
2016
Exploring the Influence of Management Communication Behaviors on Employee Engagement
Alicia J. Hart
Walden University
Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations Part of the Communication Commons
This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Collection at ScholarWorks. It has been accepted for inclusion in Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks. For more information, please contact [email protected]
Walden University
College of Management and Technology
This is to certify that the doctoral study by Alicia Hart
has been found to be complete and satisfactory in all respects, and that any and all revisions required by the review committee have been made. Review Committee
Dr. Anne Davis, Committee Chairperson, Doctor of Business Administration Faculty Dr. Annie Brown, Committee Member, Doctor of Business Administration Faculty Dr. Kathleen Barclay, University Reviewer, Doctor of Business Administration Faculty
Chief Academic Officer Eric Riedel, Ph.D.
Walden University 2016
Abstract Exploring the Influence of Management Communication Behaviors on Employee
Engagement by
Alicia Janee Hart
MBA, Strayer University, 2010 BS, Hampton University, 2004
Doctoral Study Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Business Administration
Walden University April 2016
Abstract An engaged workforce can increase organizational productivity and decrease employee turnover. Current research on employee engagement exists, yet little research exists on how the communication behaviors of management affect employee engagement. Guided by the conceptual framework of systems theory and communications theory, an exploration of the influence of management communication behaviors on employee engagement was conducted. A descriptive research design helped explore the influence of management communication behaviors on employee engagement within local, government entities of the Tidewater, Virginia, area. Data included semistructured interviews with 23 participants (11 managers and 12 employees). Data analysis occurred using the modified van Kaam method, which resulted in 4 emergent themes including (a) open, respectful, and transparent communication; (b) positive communication promoted an engaged workforce; (c) favorable communication increased engagement; and (d) negative communication decreased engagement. The results of the study may contribute to positive social change by providing managers a tool to reduce turnover in organizations, which, in turn, may lower the local unemployment rate. Indicators of economic cycles with low rates of unemployment include greater economic activity, stronger demand for workers, and a higher demand for goods and services. A lower unemployment rate may lessen the overall burden on government and society.
Exploring the Influence of Management Communication Behaviors on Employee Engagement by
Alicia Janee Hart
MBA, Strayer University, 2010 BS, Hampton University, 2004
Doctoral Study Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Business Administration
Walden University April 2016
Dedication This study is dedicated to my mother, for her unwavering love, guidance and encouragement without which I could not have achieved this goal.
Acknowledgments I would like to thank God, for without His guidance I would not have been able to complete this journey. I would like to thank my parents, Elton and Julie Gibbs and Anthony Hart for instilling the importance of education in my heart from a young age. I would also like to thank the Walden University faculty and staff for all of the support offered to me during this process. I would like to extend a special thank you to Dr. Anne Davis; the positive and continual feedback allowed me to finish this study without much frustration.
Table of Contents List of Tables ..................................................................................................................... iv Section 1: Foundation of the Study......................................................................................1
Background of the Problem ...........................................................................................1 Problem Statement .........................................................................................................2 Purpose Statement..........................................................................................................2 Nature of the Study ........................................................................................................3 Research Question .........................................................................................................5 Interview Questions .......................................................................................................5 Conceptual Framework ..................................................................................................6 Operational Definitions..................................................................................................8 Assumptions, Limitations, and Delimitations................................................................9
Assumptions............................................................................................................ 9 Limitations .............................................................................................................. 9 Delimitations......................................................................................................... 10 Significance of the Study .............................................................................................10 Contribution to Business Practice ......................................................................... 10 Implications for Social Change............................................................................. 11 A Review of the Professional and Academic Literature..............................................11 Theories................................................................................................................. 13 Managerial Communication.................................................................................. 15 Managerial Communication Behaviors ................................................................ 19
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Managerial Interpersonal Skills ............................................................................ 23 Crisis Communication Behaviors ......................................................................... 24 Employee Engagement ......................................................................................... 26 Transition .....................................................................................................................36 Section 2: The Project ........................................................................................................38 Purpose Statement........................................................................................................38 Role of the Researcher .................................................................................................39 Participants ...................................................................................................................40 Research Method and Design ......................................................................................42 Research Method .................................................................................................. 42 Research Design.................................................................................................... 45 Population and Sampling .............................................................................................48 Ethical Research...........................................................................................................51 Data Collection Instruments ........................................................................................53 Data Collection Technique ..........................................................................................54 Data Organization Technique ......................................................................................58 Data Analysis ...............................................................................................................59 Reliability and Validity................................................................................................65 Reliability.............................................................................................................. 65 Validity ................................................................................................................. 67 Transition and Summary..............................................................................................68 Section 3: Application to Professional Practice and Implications for Change ..................69
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Introduction ..................................................................................................................69 Presentation of the Findings.........................................................................................69
Emergent Theme 1: Open, Respectful, and Transparent Communication ........... 71 Emergent Theme 2: Positive Communication Promotes an Engaged
Workforce ................................................................................................. 73 Emergent Theme 3: Favorable Communication Increases Engagement .............. 74 Emergent Theme 4: Negative Communication Decreases Engagement .............. 76 Applications to Professional Practice ..........................................................................79 Implications for Social Change....................................................................................81 Recommendations for Action ......................................................................................81 Recommendations for Further Research......................................................................83 Summary and Study Conclusions ................................................................................85 References ..........................................................................................................................87 Appendix A: Interview Questions ...................................................................................110
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Walden University
ScholarWorks
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Collection
2016
Exploring the Influence of Management Communication Behaviors on Employee Engagement
Alicia J. Hart
Walden University
Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations Part of the Communication Commons
This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Collection at ScholarWorks. It has been accepted for inclusion in Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks. For more information, please contact [email protected]
Walden University
College of Management and Technology
This is to certify that the doctoral study by Alicia Hart
has been found to be complete and satisfactory in all respects, and that any and all revisions required by the review committee have been made. Review Committee
Dr. Anne Davis, Committee Chairperson, Doctor of Business Administration Faculty Dr. Annie Brown, Committee Member, Doctor of Business Administration Faculty Dr. Kathleen Barclay, University Reviewer, Doctor of Business Administration Faculty
Chief Academic Officer Eric Riedel, Ph.D.
Walden University 2016
Abstract Exploring the Influence of Management Communication Behaviors on Employee
Engagement by
Alicia Janee Hart
MBA, Strayer University, 2010 BS, Hampton University, 2004
Doctoral Study Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Business Administration
Walden University April 2016
Abstract An engaged workforce can increase organizational productivity and decrease employee turnover. Current research on employee engagement exists, yet little research exists on how the communication behaviors of management affect employee engagement. Guided by the conceptual framework of systems theory and communications theory, an exploration of the influence of management communication behaviors on employee engagement was conducted. A descriptive research design helped explore the influence of management communication behaviors on employee engagement within local, government entities of the Tidewater, Virginia, area. Data included semistructured interviews with 23 participants (11 managers and 12 employees). Data analysis occurred using the modified van Kaam method, which resulted in 4 emergent themes including (a) open, respectful, and transparent communication; (b) positive communication promoted an engaged workforce; (c) favorable communication increased engagement; and (d) negative communication decreased engagement. The results of the study may contribute to positive social change by providing managers a tool to reduce turnover in organizations, which, in turn, may lower the local unemployment rate. Indicators of economic cycles with low rates of unemployment include greater economic activity, stronger demand for workers, and a higher demand for goods and services. A lower unemployment rate may lessen the overall burden on government and society.
Exploring the Influence of Management Communication Behaviors on Employee Engagement by
Alicia Janee Hart
MBA, Strayer University, 2010 BS, Hampton University, 2004
Doctoral Study Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Business Administration
Walden University April 2016
Dedication This study is dedicated to my mother, for her unwavering love, guidance and encouragement without which I could not have achieved this goal.
Acknowledgments I would like to thank God, for without His guidance I would not have been able to complete this journey. I would like to thank my parents, Elton and Julie Gibbs and Anthony Hart for instilling the importance of education in my heart from a young age. I would also like to thank the Walden University faculty and staff for all of the support offered to me during this process. I would like to extend a special thank you to Dr. Anne Davis; the positive and continual feedback allowed me to finish this study without much frustration.
Table of Contents List of Tables ..................................................................................................................... iv Section 1: Foundation of the Study......................................................................................1
Background of the Problem ...........................................................................................1 Problem Statement .........................................................................................................2 Purpose Statement..........................................................................................................2 Nature of the Study ........................................................................................................3 Research Question .........................................................................................................5 Interview Questions .......................................................................................................5 Conceptual Framework ..................................................................................................6 Operational Definitions..................................................................................................8 Assumptions, Limitations, and Delimitations................................................................9
Assumptions............................................................................................................ 9 Limitations .............................................................................................................. 9 Delimitations......................................................................................................... 10 Significance of the Study .............................................................................................10 Contribution to Business Practice ......................................................................... 10 Implications for Social Change............................................................................. 11 A Review of the Professional and Academic Literature..............................................11 Theories................................................................................................................. 13 Managerial Communication.................................................................................. 15 Managerial Communication Behaviors ................................................................ 19
i
Managerial Interpersonal Skills ............................................................................ 23 Crisis Communication Behaviors ......................................................................... 24 Employee Engagement ......................................................................................... 26 Transition .....................................................................................................................36 Section 2: The Project ........................................................................................................38 Purpose Statement........................................................................................................38 Role of the Researcher .................................................................................................39 Participants ...................................................................................................................40 Research Method and Design ......................................................................................42 Research Method .................................................................................................. 42 Research Design.................................................................................................... 45 Population and Sampling .............................................................................................48 Ethical Research...........................................................................................................51 Data Collection Instruments ........................................................................................53 Data Collection Technique ..........................................................................................54 Data Organization Technique ......................................................................................58 Data Analysis ...............................................................................................................59 Reliability and Validity................................................................................................65 Reliability.............................................................................................................. 65 Validity ................................................................................................................. 67 Transition and Summary..............................................................................................68 Section 3: Application to Professional Practice and Implications for Change ..................69
ii
Introduction ..................................................................................................................69 Presentation of the Findings.........................................................................................69
Emergent Theme 1: Open, Respectful, and Transparent Communication ........... 71 Emergent Theme 2: Positive Communication Promotes an Engaged
Workforce ................................................................................................. 73 Emergent Theme 3: Favorable Communication Increases Engagement .............. 74 Emergent Theme 4: Negative Communication Decreases Engagement .............. 76 Applications to Professional Practice ..........................................................................79 Implications for Social Change....................................................................................81 Recommendations for Action ......................................................................................81 Recommendations for Further Research......................................................................83 Summary and Study Conclusions ................................................................................85 References ..........................................................................................................................87 Appendix A: Interview Questions ...................................................................................110
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