The Impact of Interpersonal Communication on Employee Relations: A Case Study of Starnet Innovations Limited in Enugu

Abstract

This study examines the impact of interpersonal communication on employee relations at Starnet Innovations Limited, a rapidly growing tech company in Nigeria. The research combines quantitative surveys and qualitative interviews with 20 employees across various organisational levels. It uses a mixed-methods approach. Key findings reveal a strong positive correlation between communication quality and job satisfaction (r = 0.76, p<0.001), while digital tool adoption shows a positive impact on employee engagement (R² = 0.54, p < 0.001). However, qualitative data identify significant challenges in maintaining effective communication in a hybrid work environment, particularly regarding equal participation and informal interactions. The study proposes recommendations that include enhanced leadership communication transparency and optimised digital tool usage. This research contributes to the existing literature by providing empirical evidence on communication dynamics in a hybrid work setting within an African tech company context.