Effective Communication and Productivity in Nigerian Agricultural Research Institute using Lake Chad Basin Research Institute as a Case-Study

Abstract

The study looked at effective communication and productivity in Nigerian Agricultural Research Institute using Lake Chad Basin Research Institute as a case-study. All the staff of Lake Chad Basin Research Institute numbering 272 were administered with questionnaire. A total of 267 questionnaires were completed and returned. The study found out that, majority 135 (50.56%) of the respondents said they used both the written and verbal communication in the Institute. Majority 186 (69.66%) of the respondents said they preferred upward communication, while minority 81 (30.34%) of the respondents said they preferred horizontal communication. A total of 143 (53.56%) of the respondents said instructions from supervisors were the type of information communicated through the communication channels.  Another 129 (48.32%) of the respondents agreed there is a relationship between effective communication and job performance. The study also revealed that, unclear statements, omissions, language difference, gender difference, lack of organization idea and awkward sentence structure were barriers to communication among staff of the institute. Also respondents said listening, wandering around, use of e-mail communication, following due process, trust between managers and subordinates and provision of telephone would minimized barriers to communication among staff of the Institute. The study among other things recommended the use of meetings on a regular basis between supervisors and subordinates, to promote understanding between the supervisors and subordinates. The study then concluded that, Lake Chad Basin Research Institute management must ensure that communication between supervisors and subordinates is concise, precise and without distortion if their objectives are to be realized.

Keywords: Effective communication, Lake Chad Research Institute, Management, Productivity, Organizational Communication