Contribution of Interpersonal Communication between Employed Breastfeeding Mothers and their Managers on Work Productivity: A case of Isuzu - Kenya

Abstract

This was a qualitative study exploring the contribution of interpersonal communication between managers and employed breastfeeding mothers on work productivity in Isuzu East Africa-Kenya. The study sought to: establish the type of interpersonal communication applied between the employed breastfeeding mothers and their managers in relation to work productivity, establish reasons behind the choices of methods of interpersonal communication used, regarding work productivity, analyse the responses of each type of interpersonal communication used and determine the outcomes of the preferred interpersonal communication methods on work productivity. The study was guided by the uses and gratifications theory and the Shannon and Weaver Model of communication. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews and analysed through interpretational approach and presented according to themes informed by study objectives The respondents of this study were ten employed breastfeeding mothers from Isuzu East Africa Kenya who had benefitted from breastfeeding facilities at Isuzu East Africa and had children under four years and two supervisors who have directly supervised the employed nursing mothers. Respondents were selected using the random purposeful sampling. The study findings established that the respondents use face to face and mobile or telephone communication to communicate and that wellbeing, happiness and effectiveness are some of the outcomes they experienced when using their chosen forms of interpersonal communication. They also highlighted that the urgency of the situation at hand, physical elements, and time dictate on why they choose particular methods of interpersonal communication to communicate. The study recommends for sensitization of mid-level managers and breastfeeding employed mothers on the importance of interpersonal communication at the workplace and its role in ensuring work productivity.