Enhancing communication efficiency : case Normiopaste Oy

Abstract

This thesis was conducted for Normiopaste Oy, a Finnish company specialising in traffic and infrastructure production with its main premises located in Tampere, Finland. The company which has been operating for 37 years has currently gone through significant managerial changes. New management is seeking to review and enhance its internal communication processes. The primary focus of this study was placed on evaluating and improving communication between four critical departments: sales, design, production, and dispatch.

A mixed method approach is employed in this research, combining both quantitative and qualitative data collection. Surveys were administrated across all four departments to quantitatively assess the existing information flow, with key areas where communication is lacking being identified. Additionally, in-depth interviews were conducted with representatives from each department to provide qualitative insights into the specific challenges and inefficiencies encountered in daily operations. The findings from both methods are then analysed within a theoretical framework to develop actionable recommendations.

The results indicated several critical issues, including poor communication at the employee level and insufficient utilisation of information technology tools which are found to hamper efficient communication across departments. Notably, communication between the design and sales departments is identified as particularly problematic, often requiring follow-ups due to missing or unclear information.

Based on these findings, several recommendations are made to improve internal communication at Normiopaste Oy. Chief among these is the adoption of the supply chain operations reference (SCOR) framework, which would provide a structured approach to standardising communication processes. Additionally, the integration of IT solutions, such as Microsoft SharePoint, is suggested to facilitate better information sharing and maintain transparency across departments. The implementation of these strategies is expected to reduce lead times, improve clarity in communication, and ultimately support the company in reaching its full operational potential.