Self-Disclosure and Interpersonal Relationship in a Family Business Corporation

Abstract

One distinct characteristic, which humans have, is the need to interact. Humans are social beings. Through the process of being in contact with others, humans learn things about other people and in part know things about themselves. People are only able to connect with others if they can have an accurate knowledge of other people’s qualities, beliefs and emotions. However, when one is not able to connect with others, there is the possibility of people being confined to impressions. A person may disclose personal information about himself to let other people understand more his actions and the things that he communicates. Self-disclosure is vital for the creation of relationships. And, relationships are based on what is communicated in every interaction. One _ specific context wherein self-disclosure may influence communication behavior and relationships is in business organizations. In this situation, employees interact with each other everyday. However, what if a certain family owns the organization and family members also work within the organization? Will this in a way in a way, affect the behaviors and relationships of employees - family and non-family members? The consideration of the levels of self-disclosure, taken in the context of a family business organization, may help in the assessment of relationships among its employees. The objective of the study is to determine the effect of the levels of self-disclosure by the employees of a family business organization on their interpersonal relationships. This can be determined by determining the process of self-disclosure of the family and non-family members and learn to whom they are able to disclose more information. The level of self-disclosure of the employees was used to assess the interpersonal relationship of the employees. The study was descriptive in nature and it was a case study. The variables that were studied are the level of self-disclosure and the interpersonal relationship. This study focused on the dyadic, lateral relationships between the employees in a family business organization. The productivity level of the employees based on the relationships in the organization was not studied. Observations were not implemented. Thus, the relationships and interactions were not examined to further validate the relationships in the organization. The interview schedule was used as the major tool for data gathering. This is instrument was employed to be able have the respondents explain and expand more their answers. The analysis of the data that was gathered was qualitative in nature. Majority of the respondents stated that they are able to communicate with their coworkers everyday. The range of topics discussed is wide. Both family and non-family members communicate with each other regarding work and things that are not related to it. Meaning, trivial topics are also discussed. They are able joke around and communicate comfortably if the topics are not too personal. On the other hand, the depth of the information conveyed varies. Majority of the family members are only able to disclose deeper information to their relatives while majority of the non-family members relay personal details to other non-family members. The reasons behind these are that the family members trust more their relatives. They believe that there is loyalty among the family members. Moreso, they are afraid that they are going to be betrayed by the non-family members. On the other hand, the non-family members, think that the people who can understand them more and relate with their sentiments are also the other non-family members. Thus, they bond more with the non-family members. The effect of these disclosures on the relationships of the employees is that, the non-family members bond more with the nonfamily members. This is also the same with the family members. The relationship between the family and non-family members are casual and shallow. Based on the results of the study, the researcher concluded that: (1) The family members disclose more intimate and personal information to family members as well, (2) The non-family members disclose more intimate and personal information to other non-family members, (3) The family members communicate information with high breadth to all employees in the organization. On the other hand, the depth of information family members convey to their relatives is high while for the non-family members low, (4) The Non-family members communicate information with high breadth to all employees in the organization. On the other hand, the depth of information Non-family members convey to their family members is low while for the other non-family members high, (5) The relationship among family members is intimate. This also holds true for the relationship among non-family members. The relationship between family and non-family members is casual.