Social Communication Satisfaction and Pandemic Effects: A Case Study of Office Employees at Berjaya Langkawi Resort.

Abstract

Keywords:

Social,

Communication,

Satisfaction,

Pandemic,

Berjaya Resort

This study investigated the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on social communication satisfaction among office employees at Berjaya Langkawi Beach and Spa Resort. Pandemics, like COVID-19, lead to measures such as movement control orders, significantly impacting social interaction and potentially causing loneliness and isolation. The research aimed to examine the relationship between the pandemic's impact and social communication satisfaction, and to identify any differences based on age and gender. A quantitative research design was employed, utilizing a questionnaire distributed to 108 employees out of 150 targeted, who experienced working from home. The questionnaire collected data on respondent background, the effects of the pandemic, and social communication satisfaction. Instrument reliability was confirmed through a pre-test, with acceptable Cronbach's alpha values for all variables (Effects of Pandemic = .802; Social Communication Satisfaction = .761). Findings revealed a significant positive relationship between the impact of the pandemic and social communication satisfaction (r = .326**, p < 0.05), indicating that pandemic conditions indeed affect communication satisfaction. While no significant difference in social communication satisfaction was found based on age (F = .636, p > .05), a significant difference was observed based on gender (Sig. = .000), implying that gender plays a role in social communication satisfaction during the pandemic. This research underscores the importance of social connection as a fundamental human need, consistent with Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs, and contributes valuable insights into pandemic-related communication challenges for future studies.