Communication and building positive relationships within project teams in non-governmental organizations

Purpose: The aim of the study was to understand the role of communication and building positive relations in the NGO project team and to answer the following questions: (1) what factors and behaviors influence positive relations in the NGO project team? and (2) to what extent direct and indirect communication affect the efficiency of information flow? Design/methodology/approach: The authors conducted a case study in a selected project team operating in a non-governmental organization in Poland. Findings: The results of the study allow one to better understand the specific challenges the selected NGO project team was facing. Thus, they add new knowledge to the issues on effective communication and building positive relationships in NGO project teams. Moreover, the case study outcomes set the guidelines for further in-depth studies of a quantitative nature. Research limitations/implications: Being aware of the limitations resulting from the deliberate selection of the project team for the study, an analysis of the answers obtained was undertaken, the results of which allow one to present the issues of communication and building positive relationships within project teams in non-governmental organizations. In order to make generalizations, further in-depth research in this area should be carried out. Practical implications: In non-governmental organizations, authorities and project managers should increase their competences in the field of effective communication and building positive relationships in project teams in order to successfully implement projects. Social implications: Knowledge of the methods of effective communication and building positive relationships in project teams allows to increase awareness among members of non-governmental organizations of how the ways of working and team involvement affect the success of projects. Originality/value: A case study was conducted in a selected project team operating in an NGO on the importance of communication and building positive relationships. The article is addressed to people involved in NGO project management research and to third-sector entities.