Thesis (MTech (Public Relations Management))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2011. / The purpose of this limited scope research study is to investigate the research question "What are the internal communication needs of the Cape Town based employees at Metropolitan Health Group?" The research will investigate whether the current internal communication practise/s and communication content at Metropolitan Health Group satisfy the needs of employees. The research will be informed by the Downs and Hazen (1977:72) factor analytic study of communication satisfaction which concluded that "the concept of satisfaction can be a useful tool in an audit of organisational communication."

Thesis (MTech (Public Relations Management))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2016. / This research reports on the findings from a study that explores how the principles of corporate communication strategies outlined in public relations theory align to public relations practice. Using the theoretical framework of strategic public relations within corporate communication strategies, this qualitative research seeks to understand what theoretical principles inform corporate communication strategies and how public relations practitioners develop and implement these strategies. The findings suggest that public relations practitioners have a more practical approach than a theoretical approach to public relations practice. This study identifies the importance of increasing the credibility of the discipline as public relations practitioners are able to constantly improve and adjust their strategies according to what works and what does not. Measurement and evaluation in application of corporate communication strategies increases research in public relations practice which will in due course influence public relations theory. Further study is recommended in increasing the knowledge of public relations practitioners regarding the theory of communication strategies which will assist in improving the status of public relations and the perceived value of the profession.

Virtual teams are defined as geographically dispersed teams who work together across time and space using information and communication technologies to accomplish one or more organisational tasks (Piccoli, Powell, & Ives, 2004). As virtual team members are physically distributed, they often need to work together as teams without ever meeting each other using only technology and electronic communication to collaborate, communicate and share information. Previous studies have shown that electronic tools are ineffective and do not aid in building trust and common understanding in a virtual team environment. This study challenges these previous findings and assesses the use of unified communication as a tool for leading virtual teams. Many organisations use different tools such as e-mail, instant messaging, IM presence, conference calls, voice calls and video calls. The concept around unified communications is the integration of data, voice and video into a single tool. Is unified communication an effective tool for leading virtual teams? This research paper defined the sample population as any team member working in a virtual team anywhere in the world. Data was collected from one large multinational with offices in 112 countries as well as virtual team members around the globe. The sampling technique used was based on non-probability (subjective) sampling. The sample size of 220 individuals, representing virtual team members was originally targeted for this research. Data was collected over a three month period with two hundred and thirteen (213) responses received from thirty seven (37) countries using both qualitative and quantitative methods. The study found that effective communication is vital for the success of virtual teams. It found that even though communication tools are vital, a unified communication toolset was not necessary as only some components of a unified communication tool were used on a day to day basis. Some components in a unified tool were regarded as nice to have but not vital. / Dissertation (MBA)--University of Pretoria, 2013. / lmgibs2014 / Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) / MBA / Unrestricted

Most optical fibre-based ambient refractive index sensors (including individual long-period gratings) rely on spectral attributes obtained in transmission. However, a probe refractometer has been proposed that is based on self-interference of a long-period grating (LPG), thus providing reflectance spectra containing the relevant data. This sensor operates as a Michelson interferometer by virtue of the fact that its constituent LPG acts as both a mode converter and coupler. Its construction is such that optical power coupled into the cladding (when light impinges on the LPG) is reflected at a fibre mirror and returns towards the grating, where it is re-coupled into the fundamental guided mode. Since light waves propagating along the core and cladding material of the fibre cavity beyond the LPG experience different optical path lengths (due to differing mode indices), a phase difference exists between these modes upon recombining at the grating location. This causes interference, which is manifested as a characteristic fringe pattern in the sensor’s reflectance spectrum (analogous to that obtained in the transmission of a twin LPG cascade operating as a Mach-Zehnder interferometer). Research was conducted towards implementing a unique method of temperature compensation in this LPG-based Michelson interferometer. Sensing attributes of individual LPGs were investigated first, with specific emphasis on the temperature characteristics of two different types of host fibre. It was found that LPGs manufactured in conventional ATC SMF-28 fibre (previously hydrogen-loaded to inscribe the grating and annealed after fabrication) and B/Ge co-doped PS1500 fibre from Fibercore exhibited temperature characteristics of opposite polarity. This led to the implementation of a compound-cavity Michelson interferometer whose constituent LPG is written in one type of fibre, while a specific length of the other type of fibre is fusion spliced onto the host fibre section. Experiments verified the success of this temperature-compensation technique, which caused a measured reduction in temperature sensitivity of up to in interferometer phase shift. Measurements of the refractive index of the test substance surrounding the cladding material of the Michelson interferometer’s fibre cavity (and not the LPG itself) could therefore be done without being adversely affected by environmental temperature fluctuations. This was demonstrated experimentally by comparing the interferometer’s phase shift – devoid of temperature-induced effects – due to increasing refractive index of the analyte (as a result of escalating temperature) with index of refraction readings from a temperature-controlled Abbe refractometer. Numerical gradients of linear curves fitted to these results differed by two orders of magnitude less than the resolution of readings obtained from an Abbe refractometer – proof of the success of the temperature compensation technique applied in this LPG-based Michelson refractometer. / Prof. C. J. Jooste

see document / Master of Science

This research examines the role of electronic messaging in business firms. The study presents a taxonomy of electronic mail uses, develops a theoretical framework for analyzing electronic mail impact, and investigates risks and advantages of electronic messaging. The research focus is intermediate-size firms.

The purpose of this study was to determine the business communication needs and problems of women in entry-level, middle, and upper management positions in Texas. A questionnaire was completed by sixty-eight female managers (twenty-one entry-level; forty middle; and seven upper). Female managers were asked to indicate the frequency of use and the importance of fourteen types of written and seven types of oral business communication, the importance of twenty-seven skills or knowledge, and the frequency with which they consider thirty-two skills or knowledge as problem areas. Data were also collected for the same number of male managers and were used to further interpret and complement the data on female managers. Results for female managers as a total group and male managers as a total group were evaluated by performing chi-square tests.

Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2008. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The real-life problem in strategy communication is generally defined as that strategic plans are not generally well communicated to the workforce and therefore not executed to their full potential. This leads to subordinate problems such as that the strategic plan is not bought into by the employees, which leads to a lack of commitment and involvement. When not well understood, the strategic plan loses its motivational power because employees do not know what their role is. The strategy thus is not likely to have the desired effect on the market. Isolated cases of successful communication and implementation of company strategic plans do exist, which raises the question of what is required from an internal strategy communication plan, and what makes it successful. The research report attempts to answer this question and hence contribute to this knowledge field to benefit future implementers. The literature was reviewed on current approaches to establish criteria for successfully communicating a strategic plan, and a successful communication strategy used at Sishen Iron Ore Mine was documented as a case study and critically analysed. Recommendations for future implementations as well as further research were made. This report identified five main groups of requirements for a successful implementation communication strategy. These areas include the need to engage in two-way dialogue, the need to repeat the message, the need to plan the communication rollout, the important role of the middle manager and the need to show the bigger picture. The methodology is more important than the medium (visual, auditory) used. It is further concluded that, if the skill levels of the workforce differ significantly. it may be necessary to have two or more different communication strategies. Simply delegating the responsibility of communication to subordinates creates the risk of failure. It is recommended that middle managers be trained for this purpose and that the progress in each department be appropriately monitored. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die praktiese probleem in strategie kommunikasie is dat strategiese planne nie gekommunikeer word nie en dus nie tot die volle potentiaal uitegvoer word nie. Dit lei tot ondergeskikte probleme soos dat daar nie inkoop is in die strategiese plan of intensie nie wat beteken daar is 'n tekort aan toewyding en betrokkendheid. Die strategiese plan word ook nie goed verstaan nie en verloor sy motiverings krag omdat werknemers nie weet wat hulle rol is nie. Die hele strategie het nie die verlangde effek op die mark nie. Geïsoleerde gevalle van suksesvolle kommunikasie en implimentering word gevind, wat die vraag laat ontstaan; wat word verlang van 'n interne strategiese kommuniksie plan en wat maak dit dus suksesvol. Die navorsingsverslag probeer die vraag beantwoord en sodoende bydrae tot die kennis veld om toekomstige implementeerders te bevoordeel. 'n Literatuur studie is voltooi op die huidige benaderings om kriteria vas te stel vir die suksesvolle kommunikasie van 'n strategiese plan. 'n Suksesvolle kommunikasie strategie wat gevolg is by Sishen Ystererts Myn is gedokumenteer as 'n gevalle studie en krities geevalueer. Aanbevelings is gemaak vir sowel toekomstige implementerings as ook verdere navorsing. Die verslag het vyf hoof groepe van vereistes geïdentifiseer vir die suksesvolle implementerings kommunikasie strategie. Hierdie areas bestaan uit die noodsaaklikheid vir twee rigting gesprek, die vereiste om die boodskap te herhaal, die belangrikheid om die kommunikasie strategie goed te beplan, die rol van die middel bestuurder en die noodsaaklikheid om die groter prentjie te wys. Die metodologie is belangriker as die medium (visueel, auditer) wat gebruik word. Dit word verder aanbeveel dat, indien die vaardigheidsvlak van die organisasie baie verskil, dit nodig mag wees om twee verskillende kommunikasie strategieë te ontwikkel. Om eenvoudig die verantwoordelikheid van kommunikasie na ondergeskiktes te delegeer skep die risiko van faaling. Dit word voorgestel dat middel bestuurders opgelei word vir die doel en dat die vordering in elke departement dienooreenkomstig gemonitor word.

A recent series of scandals hitting the UK financial industry has had a negative impact on consumer confidence in UK insurance companies. After assuming its powers and responsibility under the Financial Services and Market Act 2000, the Financial Services Authority (FSA) becomes the single statutory regulator directly responsible for the regulation of deposit taking, insurance and investment business. Strong legislation was introduced to maintain IFAs' independence, prohibiting insurance companies from exerting or persuading more IFAs to promote their products. Fighting to survive in an increasingly competitive market, several insurance companies have adopted the extranet to improve their communication and relationships with IFAs. Whilst channel relationship literature insists on the important role of communication in the supplier-distributor relationship, the emerging role of the extranet and how it reshapes IFA-insurer communication and relationships has hardly been explored. Accordingly, the research problem investigated in this thesis is: How has the extranet impacted on communication and relationships between the insurer and independent financial advisors (IE4s) in the UK? The research problem was investigated in two stages. In Stage 1, face-to-face interviews were carried out to help identify 5 research issues. RI 1: How does the extranet facilitate insurer-IFA communication? RI 2: How does the extranet impact on the use of other communication media? RI 3: How does the extranet facilitate the insurer-IFA relationship? RI 4: Impact of the extranet on communication, trust, commitment, cooperation, and conflict - How does this facilitate the quality of relationship between insurers and IFAs? RI 5: Does the perceived impact of the extranet on commitment have the strongest impact on the quality of the insurer-IFA relationship? in Stage2 , a mail survey of UK independent financial advisors was conducted to explore the research issues. In answering the research issues,this thesis' findings make the following contributions. Firstly, this research found that the extranet has a positive impact on insurer- IFA communication in general. However, it is still not conclusive that the extranet increases two-way communication between them. Secondly, this research found that it is highly likely that the extranet will decrease the use of certain modes of communication especially, the facsimile and the telephone. Thirdly, this research found that the extranet improves certain aspects of trust. In terms of commitment, although the extranet increases the IFAs' willingness to maintain their relationship with the insurer, it does not have a strong impact on the IFAs' commitment to the insurer. Concerning the co-operation construct, it is still inconclusive whether the communication enhanced by the extranet leads to better co-operation between the insurer and IFAs. Likewise, it is still not conclusive if the extranet-enhanced communication results in less conflict between the insurer and IFAs. Nevertheless, it is clear that the extranet does not intensify existing disagreements between them. Overall, the IFAs felt that the extranet-enhanced communication increased the quality of their relationship with the insurer. Next, this research found that the perceived impact of the extranet on relationship quality is positively related to the perceived impact of the extranet on trust, commitment, and co-operation and negatively related to the perceived impact of the extranet on conflict and, disagreement. Indeed, insurers need to be aware that to enhance the quality of their relationship with the IFA, they need to maintain and increase the IFAs' trust in, and commitment to them. At the same time, they should also try to facilitate co-operation and effectively solve conflicts between them and the IFAs. This research found that the extranet has the potential to help the insurer achieve these goals if it is implemented appropriately and effectively. Finally, the findings also suggest that commitment has the strongest effect on the perceived quality of relationship.

Information system requirements determination is a key area in management information systems research that includes the problems of requirements specification, requirements elicitation, and user involvement. The combination of these three problems is a research area which we call the group approach to information system requirements determination. The main contribution of this research is a model to be used for the problem of fitting existing computer aids to this research area and a set of methods for solving the usability and configuration problems when using such computer aids. The usability problem is that of determining whether a set of computer aids can be used effectively in accomplishing the task of requirements determination. The configuration problem is that of selecting a minimum collection of funtionalities necessary for economically supporting all aspects of requirements determination. Electronic meeting systems are the general category of computer aids that we are interested in applying to the task. In particular, the GroupSystems electronic meeting system developed at The University of Arizona is used as a case in this research. Characteristics of the requirements determination task and profiles of GroupSystems tools are combined into our model for fitting computer aids to a given task. We then derive the answers regarding the usability and configuration of GroupSystems in the group approach to information system requirements determination. We also compare the derived configurations to the GroupSystems tools used in an authentic case. The main points of this research include: (1) proposal of the concept of fitting computer aids to, instead of developing new computer aids for, a task area; (2) proposal of a model for fitting computer aids via a classification of information types; (3) analysis of the natures of the fitting model and the usability and configuration problems; (4) proposal of approximation methods for solving the configuration problem; (5) analysis of the task area--the group approach to information system requirements determination; (6) analysis of the use of GroupSystems in the task area by applying the proposed fitting model and approximation methods; and (7) demonstration of the usefulness of the fitting model and approximation methods by analyzing an authentic case of using GroupSystems tools.