Employee's perception on superior's power and status as related to superior/subordinate relationship and communication pattern among th employees of Bhutan Broadcasting Service Corporation

Abstract

This study’s aim is to evaluate different patterns of communication among employees in the Bhutan Broadcasting Service Corporation (BBSC). The study will also lead to the understanding of the characteristics of supervisors and subordinates along with their relationship that are related to the communication pattern in the BBSC. The independent variables (IV) in this study are information load on the subordinate, subordinates’ attitude towards supervisor, supervisors’ use of power and status perceived by the subordinates, and their relationship variables of trust and level of exchange. Communication pattern such as upward, downward and horizontal communication are dependent variables (DV). A combination of both quantitative and qualitative research method was used for the collection of the data in this research. For quantitative method, a total of 94 respondents which included 69 male subordinates and 25 female subordinates from BBSC took part in the research. The participants completed the survey questionnaires with five point likert scale. The data were analyzed by using Pearson correlation. For qualitative method, an in-depth interview was conducted with three General Managers via telephone. Results showed no relationship between independent variables (information load, subordinates’ attitude, supervisors’ power and status, and level of exchange) and dependent variables (downward, upward, and horizontal communication). However, result showed that trust between the supervisor and subordinate will enhance the upward flow of information within the BBSC. The quantitative results were consistent with the qualitative results.