New Patterns of Internal Communication in Public Organization: A Case Study of Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Given the nature of public organizations environments compared to private organizations, integrating the use of social media platforms in internal communication follows a slow-based trend compared to private organizations. This paper examines the use of new patterns instead of traditional ways of communication for internal communication within public organizations from employees’ perspective. Using a quantitative research approach and adopting the systems theory, which offers a means of conceptualizing the functions within an organization, this research uses Saudi Arabia as a case study to survey selected sample of public employees in the country and to test the hypotheses of the relationship between the new pattern of communication (i.e. social media) and work efficiency, productivity and employee engagement, as well as whether public organization employees prefer to use modern / new pattern of communications in all aspects of internal communication. This paper establishes three main findings which are: there is a significant positive relationship between the use of modern/new pattern of communication and work efficiency and productivity, public organizations’ employees prefer to use modern/new pattern of communication in all aspects of internal communication and there is no significant positive relationship between employee engagement through social media and improved relationships in the organization. A list of recommendations based on the study’s findings were established to be considered by public administration leaders (specially in Saudi Arabia). Finally, limitations of this study along with future research suggestions were provided.