Influence of Communication Structure on Employee Performance in Selected Large Manufacturing Businesses in Eritrea

Abstract

Purpose: This research is intended to determine the influence of communication structure on employee performance in selected large manufacturing businesses in Eritrea. Manufacturing organizations, particularly the manufacturing businesses in Eritrea, face challenges in terms of increasing productivity. Having suitable communication structure can play a role and supports employees to achieve the required level of performance in the manufacturing businesses. Methodology: The study used a quantitative research design to obtain a quantitative data. The target population for this study was employees of the selected large manufacturing businesses in Eritrea with a population size of 4175 employees. The sample size considered in this study was 365 employees, which was statistically determined using Taro Yamane formula. They were selected from each selected large manufacturing businesses using proportionately stratified random sampling technique. Data was then collected using questionnaire and analyzed using both the descriptive analysis (percentage) and inferential statistical analysis (correlation, regression and ANOVA) methods. SPSS as a tool was used to conduct the descriptive and inferential statistical analysis. The analyzed data was then presented in tabular form and interpreted statistically.  Findings: The study finding indicate that there was a significant positive relationship between communication structure and employee performance. The study concluded that communication structure did have influence on employee performance in the selected large manufacturing businesses in Eritrea. Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: Organizational communication as a field is gaining interests in the scientific/academic community because it is very essential in all dimensions of organization’s performance. So, as this study shown that communication structure has a direct influence on employee performance in selected large manufacturing businesses in Eritrea, it has a contribution to the theoretical concepts on the field of communication and can be used as a base for further study/research. Also, the study noted that since communication structure determines the flow of information in an organization, effective communication structure is a prerequisite for improved employee performance. Thus, this study revealed that it is important to have a relevant communication policy that address to have effective communication structure through which effective information flows achieved and thus ensures improved employee performance in manufacturing sectors.