Superior and subordinate perceptions of communication during performance appraisal interviews

Abstract

The present study investigates the relationship between superior and subordinate perceptions of management communication style in relation to self‐reported levels of communication satisfaction. Subjects responded to a questionnaire in reference to a recent performance appraisal interview. Results indicate that perceptions of management communication style are not related to a superiors’ level of communication satisfaction while a positive, significant relationship between these two variables was found for subordinates. Conclusions that can be drawn from this study suggest that the style of communication utilized during an interaction is more salient to subordinates than superiors. Further, superiors’ levels of communication satisfaction do not appear to be correlated with styles of communication (MCS) perceived to have been utilized during a specific interaction. Therefore, comparatively, superiors and subordinates appear to be affected differently by the style of communication utilized during the performance appraisal interview.