The Moderating Impact of Communication on Employee Performance: A Case Study of Multimedia University of Kenya

Abstract

Communication is central to organizational life; it does not just serve as a medium through which information flows; communication has been a way of creating, maintaining, as well as reworking culture. In the context of institutions of higher learning whereby the academic and administrative personnel work in a complicated cultural setting, communication is especially critical in determining the performance outcomes. This paper discusses the moderating role of communication on the performance of employees at Multimedia University of Kenya (MMU). Based on a convergent mixed methods design, the analysis of the responses of 194 staff members along with eight departmental heads who participated in interviews was presented. The results indicate that the presence of clear, open, and two-way communication channels could play an important role in turning the organizational values, leadership styles, and work processes into employee performance. The relationship between culture and performance was observed to be strengthened through communication as it helps to increase role clarity, trust, collaboration, and motivation. On the other hand, the cultural alignment was compromised by poor communication and disengagement was formed, which in turn stripped performance. The article puts these findings in the broader context of the organizational communication and cultural theories with an important role that institutionalization of the feedback system, teaching leaders communicative skills, and use of digital platforms as a means to achieve transparency and inclusiveness. Management and policymakers in higher education have been recommended to incorporate communication in the strategic culture-building efforts.