ABSTRACT
The diversity in the workplace makes the communication even more varied and dynamic than expected. Considering the role of communication in group performance, it could be said that there are several changes that occur to affect the normal process. Communication processes that occur in group performance are specialized. It is directed to a standardized goal – to achieve superior performance. Performance is dependent in an effective, timely, and efficient communication.
In the aviation specialization, communication is absolute. It is focused on every person’s ability to communicate or the process of transferring a message to other person. Every individual that is involved in the management of the organization plays a significant part in the overall communication process of the group. Given that communication in aviation specialization is highly essential especially in achieving excellent group performance, there is certainly a need to know what changes had occurred recently. These changes in the communication strategies, methods or procedures contribute to the potential success or even failure of communication process itself.
This paper discusses the major changes that occurred in the communication strategies, methods or procedures of aviation specialization that includes multi-crew environment. The discussion is based on theories and observation and reinforced by relevant literature from published sources.
INTRODUCTION
In order for an industry to be more competitive in the global marketplace, the management must always see to it that they exercise a management system and strategy that would sustain the capability, strength and competitive position. It is essential that the management team and organization should be open minded in considering changes so as to cope and adapt to the latest development that are happening inside and outside their operating environment. Industries which consider changes with their management system or any other critical aspects of their business operation are those industries which are aware of the positive benefits that these changes may bring (Yee, 1998). In many ways, change can make work easier, pave the way for future innovations or generally improve people’s lives. Similarly, change has been adapted by various work organizations for varied reasons.
Meanwhile, it is well-known that communication certainly affects business functions and operations. The ability to communicate of the persons involved in a particular business transaction will, by at large, determine the outcomes or results. For instance, success in sales and service depends upon effective communication. Managers who are leaders should be competent in communicating to people. Teams, which are the basis of an organization, are formed through the process of communication. Effective communications is a ‘life-skill’ upon which sound relationships are established.
Communication serves a number of functions for the organization (Brown, 2001). In production, communication plays its role in the direction, coordination, and control of tasks and activities. It deals with the what, when, and how of the process. Consequently, communication serves as the pathway through which suggestions and insights that would generate change and new ideas in the system are discussed. Communication also keeps and preserves values and relationships necessary to keep the system of the organization collectively.
Effective communication is a necessity in the workplace (Sims, 2002). Researchers and practitioners have long recognized communication skills are critical to job performance, career advancement, and organizational success (Aranoff, 1989; Eckert and Allen, 1986; Harper, 1987). Similarly, Eckhouse (1994) suggested that communication serves four major functions within a group or organization: control, motivation, emotional expression, and information. When employee, for instance, are required to first communicate any job-related grievance to their immediate boss, to follow their job description, or to comply with company policies, communication is performing a control function. On the other hand, communication fosters motivation by clarifying to employees what is to be done, how well they are doing, and what can be done to improve performance. For many employees, their work group is a primary source for social interaction. Feelings of satisfaction and frustrations within the group or organization are being expressed through communication. Thus, communication provides a release for the emotional expression of feelings and for fulfillment of social needs. Lastly, the final function of communication is related to its role in facilitating decision making. It provides the information that individuals and groups need to make decision by transmitting the data to identify and evaluate alternative choices.
The Communication Process
Communication may be defined as the transmission of meaning and information from one person to another (Donatelle and Davis, 1998). While the transmission itself may appear to be a simple task, the interpretation of the message being relayed through communication poses a challenge. In general, communication becomes effective when both parties involved are honest and open to share information and have the ability to decipher the meaning of their messages. Effective communication must always practice as it is significant to individual health as well as for the creation of positive relationships. Specifically, the ability to communicate directly affects an individual’s stress levels, self-esteem and relationship quality (Donatelle and Davis, 1998; Fetro, 1992).
The process of communication can be done through a number of styles. However, regardless on whether the style applied is verbal or nonverbal, the communication process always involves a sender and a receiver. This process involves five steps: 1) idea struck the sender, 2) the sender then encodes the message, 3) the message is carried through a channel, 4) the receiver will have the message decoded, and 5) a feedback will be given by the receiver (Donatelle and Davis, 1998).
As people exchange ideas, a lot of barriers may affect their communication process. Among the common and observable barriers of communication are ineffective listening skills, inconsistent verbal or nonverbal messages, resistance to change, individual bias, time limitations, distractions, personal assumptions as well as differences in race, culture, age, and religion. Regardless of such identified barriers in the communication process, communication still plays a great role in good group performance (Brown, 2001) especially to the operational functions present in the organization like the aviation industry.
Major Changes in the Communication Strategies, Methods or Procedures
Communication within a group or inter-professional team goes beyond the concepts of effective speaking or listening, or what is commonly considered as linear communication (Harris, 1993). It is an interactive model which deals with feedback and reciprocal exchanges. According to surveys focusing on areas of improvement among corporations, communication is usually ranked first as an important element within the organization (Harris, 1993). Specifically, communication is recognized as an important aspect of an organization as it keeps employees well-informed and open to communication channels. Moreover, organizational communication enables the employees to comply with company standards, leading to efficiency and accuracy.
In aviation, a great deal of effort was put forth in the gathering of data about the capabilities and limitations of humans and the development of guidelines for the design of displays and controls, environmental systems, equipment, and communication systems (Garland, et al., 1999). Specifically, the communication strategies, methods or procedures that occurred in the aviation specialization recently are the following:
Integration of modern equipment that facilitate clearer and better communication;
Improved ability of aviation people in speaking the English language;
Development of internal set of standards that is directed to communication process;
Increased knowledge and understanding in verbal, non-verbal, and symbolic means of communication in performance of given individual functions and responsibilities.
The integration of modern equipment in the operational functions of the industry paved way to clearer and better communication process. For instance, the simple telephone conversation as a means of confirming something to a certain individual before is superseded by a faster and convenient way now – through clicking a button or computer mouse. The technological revolution possessing new scales of values and appropriate economic, technical and legal structures is coming into being. This new situation is affecting the various regions of the world in different ways, depending on their levels of development and their perception of the future (Schmandt, et al., 1991). The advent of highly automated aircraft with "glass cockpits" has extended the capabilities of the aircraft but also changed the nature and type of tasks that have to be performed by the crew (Amalberti and Sarter, 2000; Sarter and Woods, 1994; Sarter and Woods, 1992). The basic processes in information and resource management, task scheduling, and programming skills of onboard computers now complement the psychomotor skills of the pilot. The continuing expansion of air travel necessitates the use of even more advanced technologies in order to accommodate the expected levels of traffic while at the same time maintaining safety. Technologies like the digital datalink play a key role in realizing such advancement (Amalberti and Sarter, 2000).
There are several cases that caused disastrous incidents to pilots who lack the ability to communicate fluently using the English language. In order to avoid this in the future, there is an increasing awareness and development in the English speaking ability of the overall crew. As evidence, the aviation schools worldwide upgraded their existing curriculum not only in relation to the technical aspects but also to the communication skills of their students. There are standard examinations and testing for aspiring pilots and overall crew that evaluate the ability to express their selves using the English language.
Furthermore, within the industry itself, the presence of developmental set of standards that is directed to the communication ability of every member of the crew is apparent. For instance, booklets and handouts are distributed among members. Also, the existence of quarterly trainings and team building experiences changes the communication strategies, methods or procedures. It indeed upgrades it and makes it par excellence and world class.
Lastly, the increase knowledge and understanding of crew in terms of verbal, non-verbal, and symbolic communication changes the old ways. Now, a simple hand gesture or body language is interpreted and understood correctly. Signals are perceivable and enhanced now.
Other relative factors in communication like listening is also develop as a product of change in communication strategies, methods, or procedures. Listening is actively done rather than passively. In relation to conflict, communication focuses on what is write rather than who is right. Hence, objectivity thrives.
CONCLUSION
All in all, effective communication is present in the aviation specialization especially in areas that are multi-crew in nature. The changes in the communication strategies, methods, or procedures range from the integration of modern technology, improvement in speaking the English language, development of internal set of standards in terms of communication, and increased knowledge in relation to verbal, non-verbal and symbolic communication. These changes contributed to the eventual development and success of the industry. Meanwhile, several researches in aviation are mostly managerial in nature. It only deals with the human resource management and less importance is given in the communication aspect.
As a conclusion, the aviation industry today is now ready to take off into further horizons and boundless possibilities. In order to fulfill this, I recommend a significant effort in delving into studies that focus on the deeper role of communication in the said industry. A closer look and detailed scrutiny in the known importance of communication strategies, methods and procedures in every industry like aviation is crucial. Set with the aims to improved the group performance and armed with the changes in the traditional communication strategies, methods or procedures, the only question now is how far will the ‘plane’ go?
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