A follow-up analysis of internal communication in the local subsidiary of a multinational corporation. Case: Lufthansa Cargo
Ivanova, Anastasiia (2018)
Metropolia Ammattikorkeakoulu
2018
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Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-201804305925
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-201804305925
Tiivistelmä
Internal communication gained significance after scholars discovered that companies’ financial and strategic performance depends on its effectiveness. This fact increased actuality of the topic, which inspired the author to conduct internal communication research for the case company, where she worked as an intern.
The following research is a follow-up analysis on the previous thesis in 2010. The research question aims to discover key internal communication trends that occurred in the case company after 2010, when the previous research was conducted. The objective is to detect the weak and strong points in Lufthansa Cargo and provide recommendations to management, if needed.
Selected research methods were exploratory research and qualitative approach. Semi-structured interviews were chosen as the sampling technique and the study was conducted over a six-month period. The study did not cover the whole case company but rather focused on the local subsidiary, namely the Helsinki office. Hence, the author considered only those challenges or aspects coming from the head office, which strongly related to the Helsinki office.
The research showed that state of internal communication has visibly improved during the last 8 years. Lack of communication interactivity as well as coordination issues were resolved by the group leader and by the unexpected effects of organisational change. Current positive trends include two-way communication process, channel richness and effective meeting structure. Information overload, inconsistent communication channels and organisational structure were some of the factors identified as challenges affecting internal communication of the Helsinki office.
In conclusion, only few recommendations were provided to management. Some of these include possible channel amount reduction and more group activities and trainings involving operational team.
The following research is a follow-up analysis on the previous thesis in 2010. The research question aims to discover key internal communication trends that occurred in the case company after 2010, when the previous research was conducted. The objective is to detect the weak and strong points in Lufthansa Cargo and provide recommendations to management, if needed.
Selected research methods were exploratory research and qualitative approach. Semi-structured interviews were chosen as the sampling technique and the study was conducted over a six-month period. The study did not cover the whole case company but rather focused on the local subsidiary, namely the Helsinki office. Hence, the author considered only those challenges or aspects coming from the head office, which strongly related to the Helsinki office.
The research showed that state of internal communication has visibly improved during the last 8 years. Lack of communication interactivity as well as coordination issues were resolved by the group leader and by the unexpected effects of organisational change. Current positive trends include two-way communication process, channel richness and effective meeting structure. Information overload, inconsistent communication channels and organisational structure were some of the factors identified as challenges affecting internal communication of the Helsinki office.
In conclusion, only few recommendations were provided to management. Some of these include possible channel amount reduction and more group activities and trainings involving operational team.