Orokor, Florence Abuoma (Ph.D)
COMPUTER-MEDIATED COMMUNICATION AND PERFORMANCE OF TELECOMMUNICATION COMPANIES IN RIVERS STATE, NIGERIA.
ABSTRACT
Communication in today's organization plays an important role in overall organizational performance. This study investigated the extent to which computer-mediated communication has allowed individuals to interact through electronics rather than face-to-face. Every organization wants to improve its efficiency in order to survive and complete favorably. This study examined the relationship between computer- mediated communication and organizational performance. The objective of this study was to examine how dimensions of computer-mediated communication such as social media usage, cloud computing usage, and virtual meeting influence the measures of organizational performance. Research questions were raised and three (3) hypotheses were employed for the study. The study adopted a cross-sectional survey research design. The study population comprised nine hundred and six (906) staff of the four (4) quoted telecommunication companies, Rivers State chapter, Nigeria; and the sample size for the study was two hundred and seventy seven (277) employees of the telecommunication companies which was determined using the Taro Yamane formula. Primary and secondary data was collected from participants with the help of a structured, pretested questionnaire. Quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistical method using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) computer software version 23.0 and presented in textual forms and tables. Spearman's Rank Order Correlation Coefficient was computed to test the hypotheses. Findings reveal that if computer-mediated communication tools are adopted and embraced in the organization it will enhance performance. The study concluded that computer-mediated communication positively performance of telecommunication companies in Rivers State. Consequently, the study recommended that management should invest resources more on computer-mediated communication tools such as social media platform usage, cloud computing usage and virtual meeting in order to compete favorably with its rivals and remain relevant in the green environment today. The study contributed to knowledge by providing a better understanding of the dynamics of computer-mediated communication that drives telecommunication firms. Further research should examine the relationship between computer-mediated communication and organizational performance in another geographical location.
