Acta Scientiarum Polonorum
Silvarum Colendarum Ratio et Industria Lignaria

Communication in an organisation encompasses the flow of information and knowledge between all parts and participants of the organisation and between its environment. The aim of the study was to assess the level of usefulness and use of communication in human resources management on the example of a selected forest district, to identify the needs there and to indicate the direction of further development in this area. The study was carried out with a group of 7 persons holding managerial positions (head forester, deputy forester, chief accountant, secretary, supervisory engineers, deputy commander of the Forest Guard Post), who are employees of the selected forest district. The subject of the study was the issue of communication in human resources management. A diagnostic survey method was applied using a face-to-face interview and a questionnaire. The questionnaire was developed with 11 questions which included the understanding of the term ‘communication’ in the surveyed forest inspectorate, as well as the meaning, purpose and forms of communication, the skills possessed and the tools used in this area, as well as the gaps and needs that still exist in the area of communication. The survey was conducted in August 2024. The survey was
a pilot study. The term ‘communication’ was understood much more broadly than just the flow of information by all participants in the study. Analysing the respondents' answers, an individual approach to the role of communication was observed in terms of its usefulness for management in individual departments or in the entire unit. When asked about internal communication, the respondents understood it as an element enabling the proper functioning of individual departments, making it possible to learn the strengths and weaknesses of specific employees, influencing more effective work and eliminating various types of mistakes and errors. External communication, on the other hand, according to those participating in the survey, enabled proper cooperation with customers, contractors and other external entities and was of key importance in building a positive external image.  Those participating in the research felt that they had the right communication skills and tools. Public speaking and diplomacy were a challenge for many of them, as well as the need to be more familiar with electronic communication. Individuals struggled with giving and enforcing instructions and face-to-face communication. When it came to modes of communication, reflexively, participants in the study indicated a cooperative mode with the intention of agreement. In the unit studied, employees knew and appreciated the role of properly functioning communication in human resources management. They showed a willingness to collaborate and co-create. Managers perceived the need to further develop communication skills in order to increase the effectiveness of teams and the forest district through: harmonious collaboration, good relationships and relationship building, efficiency and effectiveness in working together, co-creating solutions relevant to the changing conditions and needs of the organisation's environment, and improving public speaking skills and other forms of external communication.