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A STUDY INVESTIGATING THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PERCEIVED COMMUNICATOR STYLE AND PERCEIVED DOWNWARD COMMUNICATION AND PERCEIVED SUPERVISORY PERFORMANCE, SATISFACTION WITH ONE'S SUPERVISOR, QUALITY OF SUPERIOR-SUBORDINATE RELATIONSHIP AND QUALITY OF SUPERVISORY COMMUNICATION
Abstract
This study investigated aspects of superior-subordinate communication that contribute to effectiveness and satisfaction in organizations. Adopting the premise that superior-to-subordinate communication involves two interdependent components--the substance of the downward communication and the communicator style of the downward communicator--this study sought to identify aspects of perceived communicator style and perceived downward communication that contribute to perceived performance of the supervisor, satisfaction with one's supervisor, quality of superior-subordinate relationship and quality of supervisory communication. Instruments were developed to measure perceived communicator style, perceived downward communication, perceived supervisory performance, satisfaction with one's supervisor, quality of superior-subordinate relationship and quality of supervisory communication. A pilot study utilizing 248 subjects was conducted to examine the reliability and content validity of the instruments. The pilot study indicated that all instruments had acceptable reliability and validity estimates. Two hundred and forty-seven (247) subordinates from various for-profit organizations participated in the research study by completing questionnaires evaluating their superiors. Reliability and validity checks were completed for all instruments. Multiple regression analysis indicated that the predictor variables Communicator Image, Job Instructions and Performance Feedback best predicted Perceived Supervisory Performance. The predictor variables Performance Feedback, Communicator Image, Dominance, Organizational Procedures and Practices and Dramatic best predicted Satisfaction with One's Supervisor. The predictor variables Communicator Image, Performance Feedback, Organizational Goals, Dominance and Job Rationale best predicted Quality of Superior-Subordinate Relationship. The predictor variables Performance Feedback, Job Instructions, Communicator Image and Organizational Goals best predicted Quality of Supervisory Communication. The results support the premise that superior-subordinate communication is made up of two interdependent components. The results indicate that the instruments developed for this study are appropriate for investigating superior-subordinate communication and relationships. Finally, the results delineate those aspects of perceived communicator style and perceived downward communication that contribute to perceived supervisory performance, satisfaction with one's supervisor, quality of superior-subordinate relationship and quality of supervisory communication.
Subject Area
Communication
Recommended Citation
COOLEY, DAVID MITCHEL, "A STUDY INVESTIGATING THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PERCEIVED COMMUNICATOR STYLE AND PERCEIVED DOWNWARD COMMUNICATION AND PERCEIVED SUPERVISORY PERFORMANCE, SATISFACTION WITH ONE'S SUPERVISOR, QUALITY OF SUPERIOR-SUBORDINATE RELATIONSHIP AND QUALITY OF SUPERVISORY COMMUNICATION" (1986). ETD collection for University of Nebraska-Lincoln. AAI8704545.
https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/dissertations/AAI8704545