Enhancing employee communication to support onboarding: developing an intranet. Case Electronic Arts Finland Oy
Zaeske, Cassandra (2019)
Zaeske, Cassandra
2019
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Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2019053113732
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2019053113732
Tiivistelmä
In late 2017 a need to enhance employee communication during onboarding, in addition to a missing platform for internal knowledge sharing were detected at Electronic Arts (EA) Finland Oy. The thesis objective was to create a new communication platform - an intranet - by the end of 2018 to enhance employee communication to specifically support the local onboarding process. The intranet’s impact on employee communication both for new hires and the entire staff, as well as content and functionality requirements were evaluated during this project.
A comprehensive literature review was completed around the phenomena of employee communication, employee engagement, as well as onboarding in order to support the research and development work. The theoretical framework is exploring existing research to explain the relevance and connection between these topics.
The mixed method case study was chosen to conduct the thesis project in order to deepen the understanding behind the research phenomenon. Data was gathered in form of a staff survey, in-depth interviews, as well as observations. Based on the analysed data the development work around the intranet was planned and implemented, after which the effects of the developments were evaluated in form of a panel discussion.
In conclusion, the research objective was achieved as employee communication at EA Finland was enhanced by creating the intranet from the onboarding point of view. The intranet proved to lower levels of uncertainty and stress of new hires and supported learning and knowledge sharing generally. Positive effects on employee engagement levels are possible, but not confirmed by this research directly.
Content that was considered relevant to be added to the intranet was information on local work practices, processes, employee services and benefits as well as the work community. Quick links to the global intranet, a section to share conference trip summaries as well as page tags were desired content improvements to support the entire staff better going forward. Efforts in keeping the page content up to date were also considered important in future. The only relevant communication functionality on the intranet was considered to be commenting from both the general employee and the new hire perspectives.
Further research is suggested to be conducted around the possible effects of the entire onboarding program on employee engagement levels, as well as the impacts of a new hire mentor program. In addition, effects of leadership communication could be studied as part of enhancing employee communication overall at EA Finland.
A comprehensive literature review was completed around the phenomena of employee communication, employee engagement, as well as onboarding in order to support the research and development work. The theoretical framework is exploring existing research to explain the relevance and connection between these topics.
The mixed method case study was chosen to conduct the thesis project in order to deepen the understanding behind the research phenomenon. Data was gathered in form of a staff survey, in-depth interviews, as well as observations. Based on the analysed data the development work around the intranet was planned and implemented, after which the effects of the developments were evaluated in form of a panel discussion.
In conclusion, the research objective was achieved as employee communication at EA Finland was enhanced by creating the intranet from the onboarding point of view. The intranet proved to lower levels of uncertainty and stress of new hires and supported learning and knowledge sharing generally. Positive effects on employee engagement levels are possible, but not confirmed by this research directly.
Content that was considered relevant to be added to the intranet was information on local work practices, processes, employee services and benefits as well as the work community. Quick links to the global intranet, a section to share conference trip summaries as well as page tags were desired content improvements to support the entire staff better going forward. Efforts in keeping the page content up to date were also considered important in future. The only relevant communication functionality on the intranet was considered to be commenting from both the general employee and the new hire perspectives.
Further research is suggested to be conducted around the possible effects of the entire onboarding program on employee engagement levels, as well as the impacts of a new hire mentor program. In addition, effects of leadership communication could be studied as part of enhancing employee communication overall at EA Finland.