When Meaning Fails: The Effect of Semantic Noise on Team Performance through Communication Effectiveness

This study examines the role of semantic noise in influencing team performance within multigenerational workplaces. Although communication barriers have been widely studied, limited attention has been given to semantic noise defined as differences in meaning interpretation as a key mechanism affecting team outcomes, particularly across generational cohorts. Drawing on communication theory and generational cohort perspectives, this study proposes a mediated–moderated model in which communication effectiveness mediates the relationship between semantic noise and team performance, while generational differences (Generation Z and Millennials) act as a moderating factor. A quantitative approach was employed using a cross-sectional survey design, with data collected from employees working in multigenerational teams. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to test both direct and indirect relationships among variables. The findings indicate that semantic noise negatively affects communication effectiveness, which in turn positively influences team performance, confirming its mediating role. In addition, generational differences significantly moderate the relationship, such that the negative impact of semantic noise becomes stronger in teams with greater generational diversity. This study contributes to the organizational communication literature by positioning semantic noise as a critical construct in understanding team dynamics and by emphasizing the role of generational differences in shaping communication outcomes. Practically, the findings highlight the importance of developing adaptive communication strategies to reduce meaning discrepancies and improve team effectiveness in diverse workplace environments.