CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of the Study
Communication is the art of expressing ideas, feelings, knowledge and skills, especially through various media or channels of transmission to the audience whose feedback enables the sender gain knowledge of the receiver’s opinion, and vice-versa for continuous flow of information. It is a process of information exchange within, between, or amongst individuals, groups, associations, organizations and Nations.
By and large, the process usually follows the source message Channels Receiver Effect model known as the SMCRE. However, professor Harold Lasswell had reduced this process into a five question model that he categorized as follows: Who?; Says What?; In which Chanel?; To Whom?; With what effect?;. The SMCRE model and the Lasswell typology are the same in structure, Des Wilson (2005:p 62-63).
On the other hand, an organization is a social entity such as an institution or an association that has a collective goal and is linked to an external environment, (Wikipedia).
Hence, Organizational Communication can be referred to as the process and means through which information is shared within the internal and the external environments of an organization.
The activities of a social institution are always diverse and also requires correlation and much communication, following patterned routes and forms, McQuail (2005).
A good communication network is the elixir to the achievement of goals set out by an organization is it large or small.
From the above assertion, it should be realized that an important factor for the effective and efficient management of an institution is embedded in the strength of its communication system both in its internal and external environment.
This research work is carried out to examine the role of organizational communication in tertiary institutions of learning, using the University of Benin as a case study.
1.2 Statement of Research Problem
The process of organizing and managing tertiary institutions in Nigeria has posed serious challenges and problem for the administrators, be it private or Government owned tertiary institution.
Poor communication system seems to have created a series of internal and external misunderstandings which pave way for crisis and contradictions between the various groups and hierarchy that constitute the tertiary institutions which has created a severe dent in the educational system in the Nigerian State.
This is a glaring problem in the educational system in Nigeria, resulting mostly from their perceived inefficient, ineffective, inappropriate and inadequate communication network in the tertiary institutions.
Moreover, this has posed a lot of concern to a vast majority of people. The frequent strike actions and protests that have become the order of the day could be attributed to the poor use of communication for the resolution of conflict in institutions. Thus the peaceful and successful management of tertiary institutions for the standardized impartation of knowledge for academic powers and excellence on students, who are the future leaders, appear lost.
Inadequate communication network in Nigeria has been labeled the major reason for the fall in the academic standard of education in the Country. It is not certain what constitute the barrier to poor organizational communication culture in higher institutions and what systematic procedures that can be adopted for effectiveness.
It is against this backdrop that the researcher decided to examine the role of organizational communication in tertiary institutions of learning in Nigeria, using the University of Benin as a case study.
1.3 Objectives of the Study
1. The study is specifically concerned with examining the role of organizational communication in tertiary institutions of learning in Nigeria, using the University of Benin as a case study.
2. To identify and evaluate the barriers to effective communication in the organizational communication system in tertiary institutions.
3. To evaluate systematic procedures of achieving a balanced organizational communication system in tertiary institutions of learning.
4. To do an appraisal and analysis of organizational communication in tertiary institutions in Nigeria in recent times as regards to the role of the Nigerian Students.
1.4 Research Questions
1. What role does organizational communication play in tertiary institutions of learning in Nigeria, especially in the University of Benin?
2. What are the basic problems associated with effective organizational communication system in tertiary institutions?
3. What are the procedures for an effective communication system in enhancing proper management?
4. Have the Nigerian citizenry been able to adjust to the present educational system in the Country, as regards the organizational communication in the institutions of higher learning?