A Qualitative Study on the Dynamics of Vertical Communication at the Pematang Setrak Village Office, Teluk Mengkudu District, Serdang Bedagai Regency

Abstract

Organizational communication serves as the core foundation for coordination within village government environments. In practice, however, one-way communication dominance, information asymmetry, and psychological or cultural barriers are frequently observed. This study aims to qualitatively analyze the dynamics of vertical communication (patterns, barriers, and strategies) between superiors and subordinates at the Pematang Setrak Village Office, Teluk Mengkudu District, Serdang Bedagai Regency. The research method employed is a descriptive qualitative approach utilizing thematic analysis. Primary data were gathered through in-depth interviews, participatory observation, and documentation. The research informants included the village head, village secretary, heads of affairs (kaur), heads of sections (kasi), hamlet heads, and administrative staff. The results indicate that the Village Head implements a combination of communication patterns, dominated by informal channels at 70% and formal channels at 30%. The flow of instructions and reporting is structured hierarchically through the Village Secretary. The primary barriers identified include the local Javanese-Sumatran (pujakesuma) culture which triggers feelings of reluctance (ewuh pakewuh), gaps in age and digital literacy, limited coordination time, signal constraints for hamlet heads, and semantic distortions in digital instructions. To overcome these, implemented strategies include a democratic-participatory approach via coffee mornings, a document filtering system, and to-the-point reporting.