COMMUNICATION SATISFACTION QUESTIONNAIRE
The final instrument that was used in the systems analysis of Sigma Pi Fraternity was a communication satisfaction questionnaire originally developed by Cal W. Downs and Micha D. Hazen in 1977. Its job is to actually provide information to figure the different levels of satisfaction. This is done through a series of questions, which are answered by the members of the organization. Different questions fall under different types of satisfaction. The numbers reported are then added together for the total. The total is then compared to a satisfaction range score list. This instrument breaks satisfaction down into eight types:
1. Relation With Subordinates: the extent to which superiors are open to ideas, the extent to which they listen, and the extent to which they offer guidance for solving job-related problems.
2. Media Quality: the extent to which individuals receive information about the immediate work environment.
3. Organizational Integration: the extent to which communication in the organization motivates and stimulates workers to meet organizational goals to identify with the organization.
4. Communication Climate: the extent to which meetings are well organized, written directives are short and clear, and the amount of communication in the organization is about right.
5. Horizontal Communication: the extent to which the grapevine is active and horizontal communication is accurate and free flowing.
6. Corporate Perspective: the extent to which information about the organization as a whole is adequate.
7. Relation With Supervisor: the extent to which subordinates are responsive to downward communication and anticipate supervisor’s needs.
8. Personal Feedback: the extent to which workers feel that they know how they are being judged and how their performance is being appraised.
Score List Breakdown
5-9 = Very Satisfied
9-13 = Satisfied
14-18 = Somewhat Satisfied
22-26 = Somewhat Dissatisfied
27-31 = Dissatisfied
32-35 = Very Dissatisfied
Results and Recommendations
The following are the results averaged from the communication satisfaction questionnaire taken by the analysis subjects of Sigma Pi Fraternity.
Relation With Subordinates – 11
The fraternity appears to be fairly pleased with communication between their executive council and all of the other members of the group. This is an important statistic especially because as stated earlier, this whole analysis had its data gathered from Sigma Pi’s executive council. The fraternity might want to make sure that this view is same with all members.
Media Quality – 33
The organization’s members at first weren’t quite sure if this section even applied to them, but upon slight explanation by the facilitator of the questionnaire (myself) the group realized that all of their media was produced on a national basis, and most of it is directed toward their alumni. Further they realized that even when parts which were beneficial to them, the media was only available four times a year. It provides very little if any benefit to the active members of the fraternity. The suggestion to be made here is two-part: (1) Produce their own local media to fit their needs; and (2) Contact the editors of the national media being produced, and voice their concerns.
Organizational Integration – 6
This section of the questionnaire relates back to earlier found information about the organization. It looks back at the fact that Sigma Pi feels that they are very goal directed, and achieve all goal which they set.
Communication Climate – 6
Once again this information is found in earlier studies. Here shows the same; that the organization is well organized, and that the amount of communication is sufficient.
Horizontal Communication – 23
This section shows the group to be somewhat unhappy with the level of communication occurring on the same level within the fraternity. This was made somewhat apparent earlier by the network analysis. Due to the cliques and only two bridges between them, it seems that communication has a hard time reaching other brothers. To help remedy this problem, I would suggest that the organization try to incorporate the cliques together in any way possible.
Corporate Perspective – 18
This section of the communication satisfaction seemed a little hard for the members to answer. Most of the questions that fit under this section dealt with corporations, instead of fraternities. The members did seem pleased with the information that they have about their financial standing, and the successes and failures of the organization. The reason for such an indecisive number here is due to the misunderstanding of the questions involving unions, and government action. My recommendation would be for the members of Sigma Pi to better understand their fraternity’s business aspects. It seems that in many cases, such as government actions, they are indecisive due to ignorance of the subject matter.
Relation With Supervisor – 9
As with the above section dealing with the subordinates, the members also are very satisfied with the relations to the supervisor. This data might be slightly biased due to the subjects questioned (the executive council of the fraternity), but along with the other information provided earlier, I highly doubt it.
Personal Feedback –7
The members again find satisfaction in another section of communication. They feel very sure on how they are being judged by other members and what defines a job well done.
CONCLUSION
Within this systems analysis, there have been four separate instruments used to bring in data about Sigma Pi Fraternity. Through the use of the CCI, the OCP, the Network Analysis, and the Communication Satisfaction Questionnaire, I have come up with several recommendations to help Sigma Pi improve their communication system. These recommendations were:
1. Members need to devote a little more effort outwards to the public. Being a men’s social fraternity, being more sociable with those outside their ranks would help them to better fulfill the definition of what they are.
2. Take time to consider growth options such as revisions on their recruitment, or member retention rate. Remember, if an organization is not growing, it is dying.
3. Emphasize the importance of the activities that the organization offers to its members.
4. Members should be more supportive to each other.
5. Be cautious of the bridges, and remember to include the isolate more.
6. Better understand the fraternity’s business aspects.
7. Incorporate cliques together in any way possible.
8. Produce own local media to fit needs.
9. Contact the editors of the national media being produced, and voice concerns.
If Sigma Pi follows the suggestions made in this organizational communication system analysis, it is my prediction that they will be able to take their organization to a higher level. They will be taking something good, and making it better.
REFERENCES
1. Organizational Communication, 3rd edition; Pace R. Wayne, Faules Don F.; 1994; Prentice Hall Englewood Cliffs, NJ 07632
FIGURE 1
Bibliography
REFERENCES
1. Organizational Communication, 3rd edition; Pace R. Wayne, Faules Don F.; 1994; Prentice Hall Englewood Cliffs, NJ 07632