The relationship between threshold communication skills, communication apprehension, communication competence, and managerial performance: A path analysis

This dissertation examined the effects of threshold communication skills upon managerial performance, the mediating effects of communication competence upon that relationship, and the effects of communication apprehension on the relationships between threshold communication skills, communication competence, and managerial performance. This study differed from other studies of communication skills in several ways. First, it was an attempt to relate threshold communication skills to managerial performance in an organizational setting. Second, it utilized superiors' analysis of subordinate managers' performance as an outcome variable. Third, the large sample size increased the potential for generalizability of the results of the study. Finally, this was a first attempt at a establishing a direct relationship between threshold communication skills and managerial performance.; Surveys were received from managers and their superiors and communication skills tests were administered to the managers from a large, international Fortune 100 corporation. Path analysis utilizing LISREL was used to analyze the data. The results of the analysis showed only a weak relationship between threshold communication skills, communication competence, and managerial performance. Only reading comprehension appeared to have a relationship to managerial performance but as mediated by communication competence. Moderating effects of communication apprehension were supported to a minor degree. Expected muting and enhancing effects of high-levels and low-levels of communication apprehension were present, yet unpredicted results emerged.