Abstract

Effective internal communication is a vital strategic enabler that ensures smooth information flow and a shared understanding of organizational issues. The productivity of employees is largely dependent on the effectiveness of communication because employees are the executors of strategy, and therefore it is important for them to receive information and provide feedback in a clear, seamless, and efficient manner. However, despite the centrality of internal communication as demonstrated in the existing research, communication barriers such as poor quality of information, delayed communication, distortion of information, poor feedback mechanisms, bureaucratic channels, and unclear messages are still evident in organizations affecting the productivity of employees. This study sought to examine the role of effective internal corporate communication as a tool for enhancing employee productivity, using the case of Plan International Kenya. the study sought to interrogate this by asking the question, what is the nature of the communication and feedback mechanism between management and employees at Plan International Kenya? and was guided by the Two-Factor theory and adopted a qualitative case study research design. The target population was all the staff at Plan International Kenya, from which 30 participants were selected using the purposive sampling technique. Data was collected through Key Informant Interviews. Data saturation was achieved at the 14^th interview. Analysis of data was carried out using thematic analysis. The findings revealed that the nature of communication at Plan International Kenya was largely top-down and that were major gaps in the practice of open communication in the organization.

Key Words: Corporate Communication, Employee Productivity, Plan International, Kenya

^JCMR Journal of Communication and Media Research, Vol. 14, No. 2, October 2022, pp. 69-78

© Association of Media and Communication Researchers of Nigeria (AMCRON).

About the authors

*    Martin Kuria Githinji, Ph.D., is a communication expert and lecturer in the Department of Communication, Media Film and Theater Studies, School of Performing and Creative Arts, Kenyatta University, Kenya. His research interests include media studies, corporate communication and development communication.

**Ann Waihuini Njuguna is a communications specialist in strategic and technical communications handling corporate communications, branding, campaigns, behaviour change communication and communication for development. She works with Options Consultancy as the Head of Communications for The Girl Generation-Support to Africa Led Movement to end Female Genital Mutilation/Cut. Prior to joining Options Consultancy, Ann worked at Plan International Kenya.

Article Citation

Githinji, M.K. & Njuguna, A.W. (2022). Internal corporate communication and employee productivity in Kenya: The case of Plan International Kenya. Journal of Communication and Media Research, 14 (2): 69-78.

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