Abstract
Objective: The main objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of internal communication (IC) of organisations on the quality of the individual–organisation relationship, specifically with regard to the effects generated with respect to individual performance (IP) in a pandemic framework. In this sense, the study intends to evaluate the effects of IC on the employee’s IP, having as a mediator perceived organisational support (POS). Methodology: To achieve the aforementioned objectives, a cross-sectional quantitative study was prepared, data for which were collected during a period of confinement that took place between 9 February and 15 March 2021. A total of 340 individuals of both sexes participated in the study. Genders were 67.6% female and 32.4% male, with ages ranging from 25 years to over 61 years, from all districts of Portugal and the Islands. Results: The main results obtained showed that IC was positively and significantly correlated with POS and also with IP, and that there was also a total mediation effect of POS in the relationship between IC and IP. Practical implications: These results seem to support the need for organisations to invest in their internal communication practices as a way of stimulating strong and fruitful relationships between workers and the organisation. Internal communication seems to be a relevant indicator for the management of proximity relationships with workers, especially in adverse contexts, like the ones experienced during the pandemic crisis. Well-developed internal communication supports and practices seem to be a valid path towards developing bonds leading to improved performance.
Highlights
In December 2019, hospitals in the Chinese city of Wuhan recorded the first cases of pneumonia with an unknown cause, which was later confirmed to be an acute respiratory disease caused by the Sars-Cov-2 virus, a new type of coronavirus (Mesquita et al 2020).On 30 January 2020, with a growing number of infections inside and outside China, theWorld Health Organisation (WHO) declared a global public health emergency (Velavan andMeyer 2020)
It was found that internal communication (IC) is positively and significantly correlated with perceived organisational support (POS) (r = 0.48; sig. ≤ 0.05) and with the individual performance (IP) (r = 0.24; sig. ≤ 0.05)
On the basis of this data, it can be concluded that there is a relationship between IC and POS, suggesting that Hypothesis 1 may be verified
Summary
In December 2019, hospitals in the Chinese city of Wuhan recorded the first cases of pneumonia with an unknown cause, which was later confirmed to be an acute respiratory disease caused by the Sars-Cov-2 virus, a new type of coronavirus (Mesquita et al 2020).On 30 January 2020, with a growing number of infections inside and outside China, theWorld Health Organisation (WHO) declared a global public health emergency (Velavan andMeyer 2020). Within the context of an economic crisis, organisations have been subject to several challenges, including the strategic planning they will use to deal with their employees, taking into account the impact of COVID-19 on the work context. Communication has become digital and telecommuting, regardless of the family context, has been and continues to be a new reality for many employees (DeFilippis et al 2020). It is in this context that other issues, namely in relation to how the organisation establishes perceived organisational support (POS), maintaining a positive record of well-being, and individual performance (IP) within the new context. To find answers to these uncertainties, it is important to analyse the relevance of the internal communication (IC) approach to the individual–organisation relationship
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
