Impacts of Effective Communication on Managing Rumour During Change in Higher Institutions in Ekiti State, Nigeria

Rumour management is an essential aspect of organisational change. Previous studies have focused on rumour management in corporate organisations in the energy, banking and health sectors with little attention on educational institutions. This study, therefore, is designed to identify the causes and channels of rumour and also investigate the strategies of managing them during times of change in higher institutions in Ekiti State. Uncertainty Reduction Theory is adopted. The study employs survey research design, and two Ekiti State owned universities – Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti (EKSU), and Bamidele Olumilua University of Education, Science and Technology, Ikere (BOUESTI) are selected. 350 respondents are selected from both institutions; the two universities’ Public Relations Officers and six union leaders are interviewed. Cases of rumours identified include non-payment of salary, staff disengagement and overstaffing. The causes of rumours found out are lack of regular communication, change in administrative heads and uncertainty. The study further finds out that 104 respondents representing 30.1% of its respondents agree that social media are the channels through which rumour starts and spreads during change, and 113, 32.7% of the respondents agree that effective communication by management during change process is a strategy that can reduce anxiety and uncertainty that may lead to rumour in higher institutions in times of change. The study recommends that management of higher institutions should learn how to be transparent and maintain good relationship with employees through regular and effective communication especially during times of change.