Understanding the impacts of issue types and employee–organization relationships on employees’ problem perceptions and communicative behaviors

2019 ◽  
Vol 24 (3) ◽  
pp. 553-568
Author(s):  
Yeunjae Lee ◽  
Katie Haejung Kim ◽  
Jeong-Nam Kim
Keyword(s):  
Public Relations ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Internal Communication ◽  
Corporate Communication ◽  
Full Time ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Communicative Behaviors ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Communicative Actions ◽  
The Impact

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of different types of corporate issues and employee–organization relationships (EORs) on employees’ perceptions of the issues and on their communicative actions. Specifically, this study investigates how employees who have experienced an internal or an external issue within their organizations differently perceive the organizational issue and engage in positive and/or negative communicative behaviors. Design/methodology/approach An online survey was conducted with 363 full-time employees in large-sized companies in the USA who have experienced any internal or external issues within the past six months. Findings Employees are more cognitively aware of and feel more involved and less constrained in solving an internal company issue than an external one. Experiencing internal issues has led employees to share negative information about their organization externally. The quality of EORs pre-issue significantly increases employees’ involvement and positive communication behavior and decreases constraint levels and negative communication behaviors regarding an issue. Practical implications Corporate communication and public relations practitioners should incorporate strategic internal communication strategies to preemptively manage internal issues and to avoid them from evolving into internal crises. Originality/value This study is among the first to distinguish internal and external issues perceived by internal stakeholders and to examine their impacts on employees’ issue-specific perceptions and communicative behaviors. This study also provides significant practical guidelines for corporate communication practitioners and leaders by explicating the strategic role of issue type and employee behaviors in issue management.

Exploring the impacts of relationship on employees’ communicative behaviors during issue periods based on employee position

2017 ◽  
Vol 22 (4) ◽  
pp. 542-555 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yeunjae Lee
Keyword(s):  
Public Relations ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Relationship Building ◽  
Employee Relations ◽  
Full Time ◽  
Exchange Relationship ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Communicative Behaviors ◽  
The Usa ◽  
High Level

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine different communicative behaviors employees engage in according to their position level and the impacts of relationship they perceive. By comparing the behaviors and perceptions of low-, middle-, and high-level employees, the study investigates when and why employees become active in communicative behaviors about an organizational issue. Design/methodology/approach A quantitative online survey was conducted with 412 full-time employees in medium- and large-sized corporations with more than 300 employees in the USA. Findings Results show that those who are the most likely to be active not only in expressing ideas (i.e. voice) to solve an issue but also in forwarding positive information about their organization (i.e. megaphoning) are high-level employees. The findings also reveal distinct impacts of two types of relationship – communal and exchange relationship – on behaviors of employees in different positions. Research limitations/implications The study extended the understanding of relational approach by exploring the consequences of two types of relationship in the context of employee relations, and filled the research gap on relationships and issue management studies in public relations from an internal perspective. Practical implications To encourage employees to engage actively in positive megaphoning and voice during issue periods and to minimize the threats by reducing employees’ negative megaphoning behavior, the study suggested different relationship-building strategies based on employees’ position levels. Originality/value The current work examined the distinct impacts of organization-employee relationships on employees’ internal and external communicative behaviors based on their position level within an organization, especially focusing on employees’ role as potential advocates or adversaries for an organization during periods of an organizational crisis.

Enhancing employees’ knowledge sharing through diversity-oriented leadership and strategic internal communication during the COVID-19 outbreak

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yeunjae Lee ◽  
Weiting Tao ◽  
Jo-Yun Queenie Li ◽  
Ruoyu Sun
Keyword(s):  
Knowledge Sharing ◽  
Crisis Communication ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Internal Communication ◽  
Full Time ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Knowledge Sharing Behavior ◽  
Needs Satisfaction ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Sharing Behavior

Purpose This study aims to examine the effects of diversity-oriented leadership and strategic internal communication on employees’ knowledge-sharing behavior during a crisis situation, coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak in particular. Integrating knowledge sharing research with internal crisis communication literature as well as self-determination theory, the mediating roles of employees’ intrinsic needs satisfaction are also identified. Design/methodology/approach An online survey was conducted with 490 full-time employees in the USA across industry sectors during the COVID-19 outbreak. Findings Results suggest that diversity-oriented leadership contributes to transparent internal communication during a crisis and increases employees’ satisfaction of autonomy, competence and relatedness needs. Transparent internal communication also increases employees’ intrinsic needs satisfaction, which in turn fosters their job engagement and knowledge-sharing behavior during the crisis. Originality/value This study is one of the earliest studies to demonstrate the effectiveness of diversity-oriented leadership and strategic internal crisis communication in enhancing employees’ knowledge-sharing behavior, especially in the context of COVID-19.

Enhancing employee advocacy on social media: the value of internal relationship management approach

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yeunjae Lee ◽  
Katie Haejung Kim
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Relationship Management ◽  
Internal Communication ◽  
Integrative Model ◽  
Management Approach ◽  
Full Time ◽  
Theoretical Understanding ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Usa

PurposeTo advance the theoretical understanding of employees' advocacy on social media, this study aims to propose and test an integrative model that incorporates individual and organizational antecedents. Drawing from the relationship management theory in public relations and online behavior literature, the model specifically examines the collective impacts of the social media-related behavioral motivations of individuals and the quality of employee–organization relationship (EOR) on their positive information-sharing intentions about their company on personal social media.Design/methodology/approachAn online survey was conducted with 419 full-time employees in the USA who use social media.FindingsThe results of an online survey with full-time employees in the USA showed that the EOR influenced by symmetrical internal communication significantly increases employees' advocacy intentions and social media-related motivations. Considerable and distinct effects of individuals' positive behavioral motivations on social media (i.e. self-enhancement, altruism, enjoyment) on advocacy intentions are also found.Originality/valueThis study is among the first attempts to test the value of strategic internal communication and relationship management approach in enhancing employee advocacy on the digital environment, social media and their motives of using such channel for benefiting their company.

The impacts of CEO leadership behaviors on employees' affective commitment and scouting behavior: the mediating role of symmetrical internal communication

2022 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yeunjae Lee ◽  
Jarim Kim
Keyword(s):  
Public Relations ◽  
Affective Commitment ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
The United States ◽  
Internal Communication ◽  
Full Time ◽  
Senior Leadership ◽  
Theoretical Understanding ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Symmetrical Communication

PurposeThis study aimed to examine how senior leadership influences corporate communication and employees' attitudinal and behavioral outcomes. Using two-way symmetrical communication model in public relations and leadership theory, it investigated the effects of CEOs' task- and relationship-oriented leadership on symmetrical internal communication, employees' organizational commitment and communicative behaviors.Design/methodology/approachAn online survey was conducted with 417 full-time employees working in various industries in the United States.FindingsThe results showed that CEOs' relationship-oriented leadership significantly influenced symmetrical internal communication, which, in turn, increased affective commitment and employees' scouting behavior. CEOs' task-oriented communication had no significant effect on symmetrical communication.Originality/valueThis study advances theoretical understanding of two-way symmetrical communication in relation to senior leadership and provides practical insights for corporate leaders and public relations practitioners regarding how to improve employee outcomes through CEOs' strategic leadership and internal communication practices.

scholarly journals Multidisciplinarity in internal communication and the challenges ahead

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Milena Araújo ◽  
Sandra Miranda
Keyword(s):  
Public Relations ◽  
Organizational Communication ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Internal Communication ◽  
Corporate Communication ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Communication Practices ◽  
Professional Fields ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Practical Implications

PurposeConsidering the impact internal communication has on the performance of organizations, studies about internal communication are revisited in order to generate a deeper understanding about the disciplines that shape the topic and the main trends influencing both the academic and professional fields.Design/methodology/approachDeparting from a communicational background, the authors integrate dispersed contributions from disciplines such as organizational communication, public relations, corporate communication and marketing communications, to the literature on internal communication.FindingsThe significant role played by internal communication is supported by scholars with different theoretical backgrounds. Despite the clear differences between disciplines, the defense of a strategized internal communication and a focus on the employee is widely accepted.Practical implicationsBoth scholars and practitioners will need to keep adapting to a reality where: internal communication practices are not only managerial but also dependent on the inputs of the employees; the ability to listen and collect feedback is sacred, and internal communication plans are expected to be strategically implemented and measured.Originality/valueBy showing the plurality of disciplines that influence internal communication, a strategized multidisciplinary focus on the topic is encouraged.

Examining the Effects of Internal Communication and Emotional Culture on Employees’ Organizational Identification

2020 ◽  
pp. 232948842091406 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cen April Yue ◽  
Linjuan Rita Men ◽  
Mary Ann Ferguson
Keyword(s):  
Organizational Identification ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Meaning Making ◽  
The United States ◽  
Internal Communication ◽  
Full Time ◽  
Emotional Culture ◽  
Motivating Language ◽  
Employee Identification ◽  
The Impact

As one of the first empirical attempts investigating the emerging role of positive emotional culture within organizations, the study examined how a symmetrical internal communication system and leaders’ use of motivating language contribute to fostering a positive emotional culture featured by joy, companionate love, pride, and gratitude. Furthermore, the study examined the linkage between a positive emotional culture and employees’ organizational identification. A quantitative online survey was conducted with 482 full-time employees in the United States. Results showed that both symmetrical internal communication and leaders’ use of motivating language, including meaning making, empathetic, and direction-giving languages, induced employees’ perception of a positive emotional culture of joy, companionate love, pride, and gratitude, which in turn enhanced employees’ organizational identification. Positive emotional culture fully mediated the impact of corporate and leadership communications on employee identification with the organization. Theoretical and practical implications of the findings are discussed.

Unpacking the relationship between organizational culture and excellent leadership in public relations

2014 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
pp. 363-385 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juan Meng
Keyword(s):  
Organizational Culture ◽  
Public Relations ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Structural Model ◽  
Leadership Effectiveness ◽  
Reciprocal Relationship ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Excellent Leadership ◽  
The Relationship

Purpose – By looking into the relationship between organizational culture and excellent leadership in public relations, the purpose of this paper is bifold: first, how and to what extent organizational culture can affect leadership effectiveness in communication management; and second, what possible impact excellent leadership in public relations may generate to reshape organizational culture in a way to further support the value of public relations. Design/methodology/approach – An online survey was distributed to a randomly selected group of 1,000 senior public relations executives in the USA by using the PR executive database of Heyman Associates, a PR executive search firm in New York City. A final sample of 222 senior public relations executives was recruited. This group of respondents mirrored the characteristics of senior executives in the public relations profession in the USA. Findings – The results identified the reciprocal relationship between organizational culture and excellent leadership in public relations. The testing of a non-recursive structural model confirmed that organizational culture generates a direct, positive effect on the achievement of excellent leadership in public relations. More importantly, excellent leadership in public relations also influences organizational culture by reshaping it in a favorable way to support public relations efforts in the organization. Originality/value – There is insufficient empirical research linking public relations leadership and organizational culture, although it is agreed these two institutional conditions are critical. Thus, this study unpacked the independent and dependent roles of organizational culture in influencing leadership effectiveness in public relations, which may generate implications for both research and practice purposes.

Fun in the workplace and training climate: impact on the turnover of young adults in the hospitality industry

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Organizational Support ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Climate Impact ◽  
Management Support ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Individual Level ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Training Climate ◽  
The Impact ◽  
And Training

Purpose The purpose of this study is to examine the impact of fun in the workplace and training climate on turnover in a European context. Design/methodology/approach Data is gathered from the responses of 902 hotels, restaurant and café workers from Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands to an online survey alongside organizational records of turnover. All employees work part-time and are primarily of college age. This is then analyzed using logistic regression. Findings The findings reported suggest that management support for fun and co-worker socializing at the office level are negatively and significantly related to turnover but not fun activities. In addition, individual level job support is significantly related to turnover but not manager support and organizational support. Practical implications Therefore, to promote retention managers should encourage the integration of employees with one another, promote fun on the job and create meaningful job responsibilities for young employees. Originality/value This paper has an original approach by examining the impact of fun in the workplace on turnover in a setting outside the USA and by examining this in relation to training climate.

The impact of COVID-19 on teachers' mental health

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shoshana Cohen-Fraade ◽  
Maura Donahue
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Public School ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Anxiety And Depression ◽  
Full Time ◽  
Public School Teachers ◽  
School Teachers ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Teachers Experiences ◽  
The Impact

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine teachers’ experiences with mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic. Design/methodology/approach The authors administered an online survey to full-time public school teachers simultaneously enrolled in a master’s degree program in education. Out of 455 teachers who were sent the survey, 96 completed it, resulting in a 21.1% survey completion rate. The survey was composed of both quantitative and qualitative items which assessed teachers’ self-perceptions about their mental health before and during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as their use of mental health resources. Most questions were drawn from the Patient Health Questionnaire-4 (PHQ-4), so focused primarily on symptoms of depression and anxiety. Findings The results of the survey indicated that overall, teachers felt an increase in symptoms of anxiety and depression between March 2020 and February 2021. A noteworthy percentage of participants said they were seeking mental health supports. Research limitations/implications This study was conducted with teachers in an alternative certification program, so their experiences might not be widely generalizable to teachers enrolled in traditional pathways to certification. Originality/value While some research has been conducted on mental health, less has been conducted with public school teachers and even less has assessed the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aims to add to the existing literature about teachers' experiences with anxiety and depression, as well as the specific impact of COVID-19.

Dynamics of millennial employees' communicative behaviors in the workplace: the role of inclusive leadership and symmetrical organizational communication

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yeunjae Lee
Keyword(s):  
Social Exchange ◽  
Social Exchange Theory ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Internal Communication ◽  
Communication Model ◽  
Inclusive Leadership ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Information Behaviors ◽  
Communicative Behaviors ◽  
Symmetrical Communication

PurposeWith a focus on millennial employees, this study investigates how employees engage in two types of employees' communicative behaviors (ECBs), that is, their voluntary communicative efforts to acquire and circulate tasks and managerial information (i.e. scouting) and to share and discuss positive and negative aspects of their organization with internal members (i.e. internal megaphoning). Through the lens of social exchange theory (SET) and symmetrical communication model, this study examines the effects of inclusive leadership and internal communication on active information behaviors of employees within their companies.Design/methodology/approachAn online survey was conducted with fulltime millennial employees working across various industry sectors in the US.FindingsSymmetrical internal communication influenced by inclusive leadership enhances employees' scouting behavior as well as positive internal megaphoning behavior. Positive and negative internal megaphoning with supervisors increases the scouting behavior of employees, whereas negative internal megaphoning with peers does not have a significant effect.Originality/valueThis study is among the first attempts to examine the effectiveness of leadership and strategic internal communication on millennial employees' diverse types of communicative behaviors.

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