Abstract:
When a Filipino enters an organization, he brings with him his O\Vn
value system. Given the fact that most Filipino values arise and obtain their
strength around the system of kinship, it is basically the value orientation of
kinship which provides some sense of psychological security to the Filipino and
leads him to be adaptive of the varying demands of his environment.
Consequently, this orientation generate employee practices or behavior which
could greatly influence organizational activities.
Kinship is said to be the basic element of the Filipino social structure and
it is through this structural unit of society that much local authority, rights and
obligations and modes of interactions are expressed, defined, ordered, and
systematized. For the Filipino, obligations to the family are of the highest order
and the concept "blood is thicker than water" is highly regarded. Aside from the
real kinship is compadrinazgo, often called the compadre system. It is a ritual
kinship that is pertinent to the structural principles and norms of the Filipino.
To the Filipino, kinship is a protection shell. His sense of i1rner security
lies not on a tough-minded sense of individuality but on a consciousness that he
has relatives whom he can always turn to in times of need. If one is not available.
he draws himself close to someone whom he can establish a· relationship that is
close to kinship.
One aspect of organizational activities that may be hard hit by the
presence of kinship system is the relationship between members of the
organization. Under such relationships, processes concerning communication
flow, task delegation and the building of informal relationships can be found.
In view of this, the study focused on the influence of kinship system on
working relationships as perceived by the organization, specifically, by the
Ambata Shell Station. The researcher believed that it is through the careful
analysis of the influence of such that managers be able to lead certain courses of
action which could avoid adverse consequences emanating from the misdirection
of the said Filipino orientation.
The Laswell Formula's concept of "effect in the communication process"
and all the variables in Schramm Model of Communication were adapted,
combined and modified by the researcher to explore the study further.
The researcher employed a descriptive method of the study to answer the
problem. Since Ambata Shell Station is a small company, the researcher
conducted the study in the form of census. The whole organization consists of the
manager, assistant manager and 30 employees were asked to participate. The
modes of data gathering were employed in the form of survey questionnaire and
interview schedule. Descriptive statistics in the form of frequency and percentage
was applied in analyzing the data.
Results showed that Ambata shell Station, having majority of its
population as kin and hiring employees through their affiliation with the top
bosses or recommendations from the managers' network of alliance, gives so
much importance on kinship system.
The communication flow in the company tends to be fluid wherein both
the upper and lower level workers can initiate office communication, there is
trust, on the part of the superiors, in assigning work to their employees and that
informal relationships are palpable because of the already established bonding
among the superiors and the sub-ordinates.
The value orientation of kinship turned out to provide comfort and
security on the employees in the workplace and enable them to amass support and
cooperation from their superiors. It also motivates the employees to finish the
work assigned to them on time. The subtle approach of the superiors in making
reprimands is perceived to enhance and strengthen the relationship they have with
their sub-ordinates.
As a whole, most of the employees of Ambata Shell Station believe that
the kinship system orientation influence their working relationships. Kinship
system is seen to affect the sub-ordinates, the superiors and the organization
positively.