COMMUNICATION STRATEGIES AND ORGANISATIONAL PERFORMANCE IN SELECTED TEACHING HOSPITALSHOSPITAL IN OYO STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

Communication is an important element that defines the performance of an organisation particularly in healthcare environment. However, ineffective communication is a major obstacle to the performance of many teaching hospitals, including those found in Oyo State. Where such inefficiencies have a direct impact on employee morale, disrupt coordination, and compromise service delivery. This study aimed to assess the effects of horizontal, vertical, and diagonal communication strategies on the organisational performances of selected teaching hospitals in Oyo State, Nigeria. A cross-sectional survey design was adopted. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire comprising 337 clinical and administrative workers of Bowen and Ladoke Akintola University Teaching Hospitals. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse data, Pearson correlation, chi-square test and multiple regression analysis. The horizontal communication (b = 0.497, p = 0.001) and the diagonal communication (b = 0.236, p = 0.002) have significant positive effects on organisational performance. Vertical communication (b = 0.045, p = 0.484) did not feature a statistically significant effect. The research concluded that horizontal and diagonal communication strategies are strong facilitators of organisational performance, which enhances interdepartmental cooperation, patient care outcomes, and operational efficiency. To maintain performance improvement, hospital management is advised to make investments in cross-functional team frameworks and organized peer-level communication platforms.