Exploring the Impact of Effective Internal Communication Strategies on Employee Morale, Productivity, and Organizational Culture
Main Article Content
Abstract
This exploratory investigation examines the complex interplay between internal communication strategies and their ramifications on employee morale, productivity, and organizational culture, particularly within the domain of Public Relations (PR). In the realm of contemporary organizational management, internal communication strategies play a pivotal role in enhancing employee engagement, morale, productivity, and in shaping the organizational culture. This research delves into the effects of these strategies within a private university situated in Lagos, Nigeria. The facilitation of effective internal communication cultivates employee engagement, fortifies morale, and aligns organizational objectives, consequently leading to enhanced productivity. Nevertheless, numerous organizations encounter challenges in the proficient implementation of these strategies. The study accentuates the importance of strategic, ethical, and leadership-oriented communication practices in nurturing a positive organizational culture, which ultimately contributes to the overarching success of the organization. This paper investigates the strategic significance of internal communication in amplifying employee engagement, morale, productivity, and in molding organizational culture. Utilizing Social Identity Theory and Organizational Identification as a theoretical framework, the study scrutinizes how communication strategies engender a sense of belonging among employees, which favourably influences their attitudes and behaviours. The research, conducted at a private university in Lagos, Nigeria, through comprehensive interviews with seven employees encompassing both non-teaching and academic staff, reveals a disconnection between internal communication practices and employee engagement, thereby underscoring the necessity for more inclusive and transparent communication methodologies.
Article Details
How to Cite
Okunade, J. K. (2025). Exploring the Impact of Effective Internal Communication Strategies on Employee Morale, Productivity, and Organizational Culture. Lakhomi Journal Scientific Journal of Culture, 6(1), 1-11. https://doi.org/10.33258/lakhomi.v6i1.1272
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References
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Aondover, E. M., & Akin-Odukoya, O. (2024). Trends and Dynamics of Popular Culture and Media Messages on Public Transport Literature in Nigeria. Lakhomi Journal Scientific Journal of Culture, 5(3), 183-195.
Aondover, E. M., Maradun, L. U., & Yar’Adua, S. M. (2022). Mediatization of the net and internetization of the print media in Northern Nigeria. Unisia, 40(2), 335-356.
Aondover, E. M., Yar’Adua, S. M., & Aondover, P. O. (2025). Influence of Digital Images on the Propagation of Fake News on Twitter in Russia and Ukraine Crisis. Budapest International Research and Critics Institute-Journal (BIRCI-Journal), 8(1), 59-74.
Aondover, P. O., Aondover, E. M., & Babele, A. M. (2022). Two nations, same technology, different outcomes: Analysis of technology application in Africa and America. Journal of Educational Research and Review, 1(1), 001-008.
Ashforth, B. E., & Mael, F. (1989). Social identity theory and the organization. Academy of Management Review, 14(1), 20-39.
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Cameron, G. T., & McCollum, K. (2018). Internal Communication during Change. In The International Encyclopedia of Strategic Communication (pp. 1-11). Wiley.
Chari, S., Peng, M. W., & Weber, Y. (2016). Trust and firm performance: A cross-national examination. Organization Science, 27(1), 145-164.
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Hile, M. M., Msughter, A. E., & Aliyu, M. A. (2023). Secularism and Ethical Issues in Media Practice as a Bane for National Development. SIASAT, 8(3), 166-177.
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Men, L. R., & Rahimi, R. (2018). The impact of internal communication and employee engagement on perception of organizational reputation. Journal of Communication Management, 22(4), 395-413.
Mojaye, E. M., & Aondover, E. M. (2022). Theoretical perspectives in world information systems: A propositional appraisal of new media-communication imperatives. Journal of Communication and Media Research, 14(1), 100-106.
Morsing, M., & Schultz, M. (2019). The communicative organization in a globalized world. In K. Sriramesh, A. Zerfass, & J.-N. Kim (Eds.), The Routledge handbook of strategic communication (pp. 139-153). Routledge.
Msughter, A. E., Perpetua, A. O., & Itiafa, A. L. (2023). Artificial Intelligence and the Media: Revisiting Digital Dichotomy Theory. In Information Systems Management. IntechOpen.
Msughter, A. E., Yar’Adua, S. M., & Ogechi, A. P. (2022). Information seeking behavior on Covid-19 vaccine among residents of Fagge Local Government Area of Kano, Nigeria. Journal of Positive School Psychology, 6(9), 2526-2541.
Onyejelem, T. E., & Aondover, E. M. (2024). Digital Generative Multimedia Tool Theory (DGMTT): A Theoretical Postulation. Journalism, 14(3), 189-204.
Onyejelem, T. E., & Aondover, E. M. (2024). Digital Generative Multimedia Tool Theory (DGMTT): A Theoretical Postulation in the Era of Artificial Intelligence. Adv Mach Lear Art Inte, 5(2), 01-09.
Ruppel, C. P., & Harrington, M. K. (2020). “We know what it feels like to be ignored”: The impact of perceived silence on internal communication and employee attitudes during organizational change. Management Communication Quarterly, 34(3), 358-386.
Saks, A. M. (2016). Antecedents and consequences of employee engagement revisited. Journal of Organizational Effectiveness: People and Performance, 3(2), 141-165.
Schultz, M., & Hatch, M. J. (2019). The role of internal communication in the creation of corporate culture. Corporate Reputation Review, 22(1), 34-40.
Suchman, M. C. (2017). Corporate communication ethics: A case for proportionality and dialogue. In K. Sriramesh, A. Zerfass, & J.-N. Kim (Eds.), The Routledge handbook of strategic communication (pp. 62-74). Routledge.
Tajfel, H., & Turner, J. C. (1979). An integrative theory of intergroup conflict. In The Social Psychology of Intergroup Relations (pp. 33-47). Brooks/Cole.
Tang, Q., & Tang, M. (2017). Internal communication and job satisfaction: The mediating effect of organizational identification. Public Relations Review, 43(5), 1042-1052.
Vitalis, P. O., Aondover, E. M., Ogunbola, O., Onyejelem, T. E., & Ridwan, M. (2025). Accessing Digital Divide and Implications in Nigeria: The Media Dimension. Budapest International Research and Critics Institute-Journal (BIRCI-Journal), 8(1), 1-12.
Vitalis, P. O., Aondover, E. M., Ogunbola, O., Onyejelem, T. E., & Ridwan, M. (2025). Accessing Digital Divide and Implications in Nigeria: The Media Dimension. Budapest International Research and Critics Institute-Journal (BIRCI-Journal), 8(1), 1-12.
Wang, S., & Kassing, J. W. (2017). Social media and internal communication: A study of Chinese corporations. Public Relations Review, 43(3), 641-651.
Welch, C., & Welch, D. (2019). The global “war for talent”: A ‘theory about everything’? Journal of World Business, 54(4), 360-371.
Aliyu, M. A., Msughter, A. E., & Nneka, A. Q. (2023). Comparative Study of National Development Plans in Nigeria and India: Media Dimension. SIASAT, 8(4), 202-212.
Alsharo, M., Alrawashdeh, S., Al-Qeed, M. A., & Matarneh, E. (2020). The Impact of Internal Communication on Organizational Productivity in Commercial Banks. International Journal of Business and Management, 15(5), 150-162.
Aondover, E. M., & Akin-Odukoya, O. (2024). Trends and Dynamics of Popular Culture and Media Messages on Public Transport Literature in Nigeria. Lakhomi Journal Scientific Journal of Culture, 5(3), 183-195.
Aondover, E. M., Maradun, L. U., & Yar’Adua, S. M. (2022). Mediatization of the net and internetization of the print media in Northern Nigeria. Unisia, 40(2), 335-356.
Aondover, E. M., Yar’Adua, S. M., & Aondover, P. O. (2025). Influence of Digital Images on the Propagation of Fake News on Twitter in Russia and Ukraine Crisis. Budapest International Research and Critics Institute-Journal (BIRCI-Journal), 8(1), 59-74.
Aondover, P. O., Aondover, E. M., & Babele, A. M. (2022). Two nations, same technology, different outcomes: Analysis of technology application in Africa and America. Journal of Educational Research and Review, 1(1), 001-008.
Ashforth, B. E., & Mael, F. (1989). Social identity theory and the organization. Academy of Management Review, 14(1), 20-39.
Bowen, S. A. (2019). The Role of Internal Communication in Managing Change and Fostering Employee Engagement. Journal of Organizational Change Management, 32(2), 195-214.
Cameron, G. T., & McCollum, K. (2018). Internal Communication during Change. In The International Encyclopedia of Strategic Communication (pp. 1-11). Wiley.
Chari, S., Peng, M. W., & Weber, Y. (2016). Trust and firm performance: A cross-national examination. Organization Science, 27(1), 145-164.
Dinh, J. E., Lord, R. G., Gardner, W. L., Meuser, J. D., Liden, R. C., & Hu, J. (2017). Leadership theory and research in the new millennium: Current theoretical trends and changing perspectives. The Leadership Quarterly, 28(1), 36-62.
Eisenberg, E. M. (2017). Ambiguity as strategy in organizational communication. In K. Sriramesh, A. Zerfass, & J.-N. Kim (Eds.), The Routledge handbook of strategic communication (pp. 266-279). Routledge.
Farooq, O., Payaud, M., & Merunka, D. (2018). The impact of corporate social responsibility on organizational commitment: Exploring multiple mediation mechanisms. Journal of Business Ethics, 150(3), 787-800.
Groysberg, B., & Slind, M. (2017). Leadership is a conversation. Harvard Business Review, 95(6), 76-84.
Grunig, J. E., & Grunig, L. A. (2017). Excellence theory in public relations: Past, present, and future. In The Future of Excellence in Public Relations and Communication Management: Challenges for the Next Generation (pp. 71-90). Routledge.
Hartley, J., & Cabooter, E. (2019). Organizational culture and management. In S. A. Rynes, B. Gerhart, & M. Minette (Eds.), The Routledge companion to employment relations (pp. 303-314). Routledge.
Hile, M. M., Msughter, A. E., & Aliyu, M. A. (2023). Secularism and Ethical Issues in Media Practice as a Bane for National Development. SIASAT, 8(3), 166-177.
Huang, Y., & Cornelissen, J. P. (2019). The political role of organizational communication: The case of corporate social responsibility. In K. Sriramesh, A. Zerfass, & J.-N. Kim (Eds.), The Routledge handbook of strategic communication (pp. 189-202). Routledge.
Idris, M. K., & Msughter, A. E. (2022). Sources of Information on National Issues among Border Communities in Yobe State, Nigeria. ASEAN Journal of Community Engagement, 6(1), 22-47.
Kitchen, P. J., & Schultz, D. E. (2017). IMC: Past, present, and future. In K. Sriramesh, A. Zerfass, & J.-N. Kim (Eds.), The Routledge handbook of strategic communication (pp. 17-28). Routledge.
Maikaba, B., & Msughter, A. E. (2019). Digital Media and Cultural Globalisation: The Fate of African Value System. Humanities and Social Sciences, 12(1), 214-220.
Mazzei, A., & Kim, S. (2018). The communicative constitution of organization, organizing, and organizationality. In K. Sriramesh, A. Zerfass, & J.-N. Kim (Eds.), The Routledge handbook of strategic communication (pp. 39-52). Routledge.
Men, L. R. (2017). Strategic internal communication: Transformational leadership, communication channels, and employee satisfaction. Management Communication Quarterly, 31(2), 264-283.
Men, L. R., & Rahimi, R. (2018). The impact of internal communication and employee engagement on perception of organizational reputation. Journal of Communication Management, 22(4), 395-413.
Mojaye, E. M., & Aondover, E. M. (2022). Theoretical perspectives in world information systems: A propositional appraisal of new media-communication imperatives. Journal of Communication and Media Research, 14(1), 100-106.
Morsing, M., & Schultz, M. (2019). The communicative organization in a globalized world. In K. Sriramesh, A. Zerfass, & J.-N. Kim (Eds.), The Routledge handbook of strategic communication (pp. 139-153). Routledge.
Msughter, A. E., Perpetua, A. O., & Itiafa, A. L. (2023). Artificial Intelligence and the Media: Revisiting Digital Dichotomy Theory. In Information Systems Management. IntechOpen.
Msughter, A. E., Yar’Adua, S. M., & Ogechi, A. P. (2022). Information seeking behavior on Covid-19 vaccine among residents of Fagge Local Government Area of Kano, Nigeria. Journal of Positive School Psychology, 6(9), 2526-2541.
Onyejelem, T. E., & Aondover, E. M. (2024). Digital Generative Multimedia Tool Theory (DGMTT): A Theoretical Postulation. Journalism, 14(3), 189-204.
Onyejelem, T. E., & Aondover, E. M. (2024). Digital Generative Multimedia Tool Theory (DGMTT): A Theoretical Postulation in the Era of Artificial Intelligence. Adv Mach Lear Art Inte, 5(2), 01-09.
Ruppel, C. P., & Harrington, M. K. (2020). “We know what it feels like to be ignored”: The impact of perceived silence on internal communication and employee attitudes during organizational change. Management Communication Quarterly, 34(3), 358-386.
Saks, A. M. (2016). Antecedents and consequences of employee engagement revisited. Journal of Organizational Effectiveness: People and Performance, 3(2), 141-165.
Schultz, M., & Hatch, M. J. (2019). The role of internal communication in the creation of corporate culture. Corporate Reputation Review, 22(1), 34-40.
Suchman, M. C. (2017). Corporate communication ethics: A case for proportionality and dialogue. In K. Sriramesh, A. Zerfass, & J.-N. Kim (Eds.), The Routledge handbook of strategic communication (pp. 62-74). Routledge.
Tajfel, H., & Turner, J. C. (1979). An integrative theory of intergroup conflict. In The Social Psychology of Intergroup Relations (pp. 33-47). Brooks/Cole.
Tang, Q., & Tang, M. (2017). Internal communication and job satisfaction: The mediating effect of organizational identification. Public Relations Review, 43(5), 1042-1052.
Vitalis, P. O., Aondover, E. M., Ogunbola, O., Onyejelem, T. E., & Ridwan, M. (2025). Accessing Digital Divide and Implications in Nigeria: The Media Dimension. Budapest International Research and Critics Institute-Journal (BIRCI-Journal), 8(1), 1-12.
Vitalis, P. O., Aondover, E. M., Ogunbola, O., Onyejelem, T. E., & Ridwan, M. (2025). Accessing Digital Divide and Implications in Nigeria: The Media Dimension. Budapest International Research and Critics Institute-Journal (BIRCI-Journal), 8(1), 1-12.
Wang, S., & Kassing, J. W. (2017). Social media and internal communication: A study of Chinese corporations. Public Relations Review, 43(3), 641-651.
Welch, C., & Welch, D. (2019). The global “war for talent”: A ‘theory about everything’? Journal of World Business, 54(4), 360-371.