Saudi Aramco’s four communication flows may be classified as upward, downward, horizontal, and diagonal. Upward communication refers to the movement of messages from the employees to their top management. During this form of communication, employees provide feedback regarding any issues they may have encountered (Al Ridhawi et al., 2020). One notable example of upward communication in Saudi Aramco is when a junior employee points out a safety measure issue in a specific work area that might cause hazards. Communication can allow the organization to act quickly by providing a safe environment.
Downward communication, on the other hand, involves the flow of information from the top management to the employees. It includes feedback, announcements, and procedures (Al Ridhawi et al., 2020). In Saudi Aramco, this communication flow could occur if managers assign tasks to their employees and give them clear directions on how they should be completed. Proper downward communication is essential since it provides the top management with an appropriate clarity of objectives, leading to a high production level.
Horizontal communication involves exchanging information among employees of similar departments. This collaboration creates an atmosphere that promotes the exchange of ideas among peers (Al Ridhawi et al., 2020). An example of horizontal communication in Saudi Aramco is when engineers from different departments collaborate on a project and discuss technical solutions to their challenges. As such, horizontal communication promotes innovation, leading to successful projects.
Lastly, diagonal communication occurs when individuals from different organizational departments communicate. This can involve executives discussing strategic plans with cross-departmental teams working on a project (Al Ridhawi et al., 2020). In Saudi Aramco, diagonal communication could occur when top executives meet with field workers to get ideas about the operational problems the field workers are facing. This form of communication is an efficient tool that broadly shares ideas and experiences, facilitates good decision-making, and builds a more inclusive organizational culture.
In terms of communication effectiveness within Saudi Aramco, a few areas need improvement. Although several channels of upward, downward, horizontal, and diagonal communications are established and used, their effective utilization is essential. During particular occasions, the employees could feel reluctant to give feedback or suggest anything out of the notion that their opinions will not be taken seriously or due to fear of repercussion (Al Buainain et al., 2022). The organization can address this issue by having a culture that allows and measures open communication. Doing periodic employee surveys, establishing anonymous feedback mechanisms, and rewarding those who come up with valuable ideas encourage an upward flow of communication.
Similarly, downward communication can sometimes need more feedback. To make downward communication more effective, managers should provide clear instructions, ensure regular updates on project progress, and solicit worker feedback. This would empower employees to be more encouraged and feel necessary for their actions; thus, their engagement and productivity would be increased.
The impacts of the four flows of communication in Saudi Aramco are significant. Effective upward communication, for example, allows employees to voice their concerns and contribute to a safer work environment. When the employee voice is given space and support, employees tend to be more committed to work, and their highest performance is most likely to be achieved (Al Ridhawi et al., 2020). When done right, upward communication ensures that the employees are given the correct information and guidance to perform their tasks effectively. Clear directions help reduce mistakes and efficiency and create a sense of belonging for the organization.
Horizontal communication is a fundamental tool that fosters collaboration and knowledge sharing among departments. As a result, employees get to share ideas, learn from each other, and work together for a common goal. This release of energy in work strengthens dynamics, increases employee job satisfaction, and improves project outcomes (Ridhawi et al., 2020). Diagonal communication, although less frequent, is also essential as it promotes a more inclusive organizational culture. When the staff from various levels of departments communicate with one another, different perspectives and ideas can be raised, leading to better decisions and innovations.
To ensure that a few changes are implemented to improve the atmosphere and more effective communication flows in Saudi Aramco, this organization should implement training programs to help update the employees’ communication skills. This affirmation empowers the employees to articulate their messages more effectively, creating positive communication (Al Buainain et al., 2022). Furthermore, executing recurrent communication audits may assist in determining the existence of any downfalls or difficulties in the communication process and taking countermeasures if necessary. In addition, setting up a dedicated communication committee or team can also be conducive to monitoring and improving the communication standards of the whole organization.
In conclusion, Saudi Aramco, one of the largest oil companies globally, is based on four communication flows: upwards, downwards, horizontal, and diagonally. While effective communication exists within this organization, there is still room for improvement. Within Saudi Aramco, introducing an open communication culture, clear instructions and feedback, teamwork promotion, and diagonal communication can improve communication efficiency and create a better working environment for all staff members.
References
Al Buainain, S., Abdelrahim, Y., & Zafer, A. (2022, March). Factors that Impact a Company’s Digitalization and Employee Skills: The Case of Saudi Aramco. In International Conference on Business and Technology (pp. 806–816). Cham: Springer International Publishing.
Al Ridhawi, I., Otoum, S., Aloqaily, M., Jararweh, Y., & Baker, T. (2020). Providing secure and reliable communication for following generation networks in smart cities. Sustainable Cities and Society, 56, 102080.
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