This study assessed the role of communication flow in creating industrial harmony in tertiary educational institutions in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. The research method used for data collection was opinion survey. Personal interviews were conducted with the management and union leaders in the institutions. Purposive and systematic sampling procedures were used for selecting samples for the study. The data collected from personal interviews were analyzed qualitatively using explanation building based on the research question. The data from the questionnaire were analyzed in simple percentages and the hypotheses were tested using Pearson Product Moment Correlation. The major findings were: the prevalent communication flow patterns in the tertiary educational institutions in Akwa Ibom State of Nigeria are formal and informal. The communication flow patterns are characterized by vertical downward, upward and horizontal flow patterns. Vertical downward flow dominates. Between 65% to 70% of respondents in the three tertiary institutions perceived that communication flow patterns are inadequate to guarantee institutional harmony in the tertiary institutions. The hypotheses tested show that effective communication flow patterns influence institutional harmony positively. It was recommended that communication audit should be carried periodically followed by communication training to maintain effective communication flow. Furthermore, the management of these institutions should encourage their employees to participate effectively in decision making
Keywords: Communication Flow, Communication Flow Patterns, Institutional Harmony, communication
