The purpose of this study was to investigate the associations among organizational culture, employee communication strategies, and employee- organization relationships. This study examined the direct and indirect influences of organizational culture o...
The purpose of this study was to investigate the associations among organizational culture, employee communication strategies, and employee- organization relationships. This study examined the direct and indirect influences of organizational culture on employee-organization relationships using internal communication strategies as a mediating factor.
Data were collected by conducting a survey of 481 employees in 19 organizations in South Korea from Oct 15 to Oct 31, 2007. Hypotheses of this study were tested by using multiple regression analysis(MRA) and structural equation modeling(SEM).
Findings of this study showed that organizational culture was a critical and significant antecedent of employee-organization relationships. More specifically, clan culture and developmental culture were more positively related to the four relationship outcomes(trust, commitment, satisfaction, and control mutuality) than hierarchical culture and market culture.
As was suggested in previous research, employee communication strategies were differently implemented according to the varying types of organizational culture. At the same time, communication strategies had considerable influence on the quality of internal relationships. First, clan culture and developmental culture were more conducive to the implementation of symmetrical employee communication strategies than hierarchial culture and market culture. Second, the more symmetrical employee communication strategies were used in organizations, the more positive employees' perception of employee-organization relationships. In addition, employee communication strategies mediated the effects of organization culture on employees' evaluation of trust, commitment, satisfaction, and control mutuality.
This empirical study showed that the organizational culture can be an important factor in developing reciprocal relationships between organizations and its employees. This study also showed how specific communication strategies can affect the quality of employee-organization relationships, which may provide PR practitioners guideline on how to strategically manage internal communication.