Examining How Supervisor/Employee Communication Affects Employee Intentions To Leave an Organization

Author

• Courtney R. Malengo, Gonzaga University

Date of Award

2016

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Specialization

Communication and Leadership

School or Department

School of Leadership Studies

First Advisor

Dr. Heather Crandall

Second Advisor

Dr. Lunell Haught

Abstract

Americans who are full-time employees spend more hours at work than they do with family and loved ones. Management articles and research lament organizational communication woes, specifically amongst employees and their supervisors. This study explores supervisor/employee communication and the affect it has on employees’ decisions to stay or leave an organization. Specifically, the study examines how satisfied employees are with their respective supervisor and their organization, correlating findings to Deetz’s organizational communication theory and Graen & Uhl-Bien’s leader-member exchange theory. Respondents included 132 adults, 18 years and older, 58.4% were female and 41.6% were male, largely spanning the nonprofit/association and health care/pharmaceutical industries. The study affirmed the importance of the supervisor/employee relationship and its potential to impact an employee’s overall job satisfaction and tenure within an organization. Employees who have regular, ongoing communication and collaboration with supervisors, and believe they are cared about as an individual, report intentions to stay longer at an organization.

Comments

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Recommended Citation

Malengo, Courtney R., "Examining How Supervisor/Employee Communication Affects Employee Intentions To Leave an Organization" (2016). Communication & Leadership Dissertations and Theses. 412.
https://repository.gonzaga.edu/comlead_etds/412