Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Nebraska--Lincoln, 1999. / PDF text: [2] p. abstract, vii, 132, a-i leaves : ill. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 127-132 of dissertation).

Univ., Diss.--Basel, 2005.

Thesis (M.B.A.)--Naval Postgraduate School, June 2010. / Thesis Advisor(s): King, Cynthia L. ; Second Reader: Simon, Cary. "June 2010." Description based on title screen as viewed on July 15, 2010. Author(s) subject terms: Leader communication, senior leader communication, business communication, reception study, ethos, persuasive messages, credibility. Includes bibliographical references (p. 55-57). Also available in print.

Thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree Magister Technologiae: Public Relations Management in the Faculty of Informatics and Design the Cape Peninsula University of Technology 2013 / The perception that an organisation wants its stakeholders to have is its desired identity. Its actual identity is what the stakeholders actually know or think about the organisation (Walker, 2010: 366). Stakeholder loyalty is an invaluable and positive consequence of any organisation’s effective communication. An organisation’s management should be proactive in the face of any negativity (finding its way into businesses and in the fragile and sensitive circumstances of stakeholder relationships). There is a gap between organisations and their specific stakeholders as a cumulative result of misinformation or lack of information. Organisational communication, especially via the press, enhances sustainable stakeholder loyalty, which contributes to an organisation’s advantages and economic essences. The purpose of this study is to explore the dynamics of stakeholders’ effective organisational communication via the press and media reports on Eskom, and to identify and isolate critical elements in this dynamic process. Although the study is primarily explorative and descriptive, public press reports will be analysed to contribute to the larger purpose of exploration and description. This research draws on the aims of corporate reputation to assist organisational insiders and external stakeholders to activate positive organisational behaviour with consideration of media interpretations in order to answer the problem statement. The fact that Eskom is a government parastatal which was established to supply and regulate electricity with no other competitors does not imply that they do not have to work on a positive brand image, perception and stakeholder satisfaction. This is even more pertinent when it is argued that the taxpayer’s money is used for much of the excessive spending that the senior employees ostensibly enjoy. Whether an organisation is small or big, its priority of relevance is not placed on competitive success, but on its image with all its stakeholders at all times. In considering stakeholders’ perceptions, there are huge business expansion possibilities for corporate bodies and organisations whose business mission statements reflect stakeholders’ satisfaction and retention. This research applied content analysis, which exhibits both qualitative characteristics (description of variables and categories) and quantitative features (numeric evaluation of data) in the investigation, description, discussion and analysis of the collected data. The data comprised media reports on Eskom, as presented by the Cape Times, the Mail and Guardian and the City Press - three reputable South African newspapers. These reports were gathered within a period of one year: 1st July 2010 to 30th June 2011. A semi-structured interview was used to substantiate Eskom’s stakeholder values and concerns against the backdrop of the newspaper report claims. The outcome of this study points to the need for organisations to effectively communicate with stakeholders in and through the media on trends within the organisation, prevailing issues, management policies, change of prices and costs of goods and services. This collectively re-defines and strategically re-positions the mutual relationship of organisations and their key stakeholders by drawing strong links between the literature survey and the provisions of appropriate findings and recommendation imperatives for corporate communication specialists. This research could be useful to academics and practitioners, as it highlights the importance of effective organisational communication as a precursor to stakeholder loyalty. The findings of the study revealed that while Eskom, as an organisation, was making huge profits and sharing surplus bonuses, they remain insensitive to the complaints of their stakeholders. Effective organisational communication was discounted and compromised, as the stakeholders were deprived of proper information that could stimulate and sustain their loyalty towards the organisation.

The main problem of this study was to assess the communication strategies used by GIRSS to achieve organisational goals. To address this problem, a theoretical study was undertaken to identify the communication strategies used in organisations. The theoretical guidelines for effective communication were integrated into a communication model, which consisted of the following components: · The establishment of organisational communication structures; · The selection of appropriate communication media; IV · The management of communication barriers; and · Addressing the challenges in organisational communication. Based on the model, a survey questionnaire was developed to assess the extent to which GIRSS made use of these strategies. The questionnaire was administered to both managers and non-managers in the organisation. Due to the distance between South Africa and China, the questionnaire was administered via e-mail. The empirical results revealed that some of the theoretical guidelines were followed, but there was room for improvement in terms of communication strategies used at GIRSS. Specifically it was found that many barriers existed as a result of status and other differences, which influenced communication in the organisation. Communication in organisations is very important as it contributes to goal attainment, satisfaction, cooperation and problem-solving. Communication is a skill that can be learned, and managers as well as employees should consider the results of the study to initiate changes to the communication strategies used in the organization.

The research is based on a case study of an internal newsletter, Platform. The objective was to obtain more information about Transnet Freight Rail employees‘ thoughts on its effectiveness and the effectiveness of internal newsletters by using Platform as an example. The treatise explored the perceptions of employees and Transnet in terms of the effectiveness of the internal newsletter as a communication tool as well as their attitudes towards the newsletter as an information disseminating medium. A mixed methods approach was used for analysis in this study. The first methodological paradigm took an interpretivist approach, focusing primarily on analysing the content of the newsletter. The second methodological design was based on the positivistic theory approach and utilised a survey by questionnaire. One hundred and twenty (120) questionnaires were issued to Transnet Freight Rail employees representing the three regions: Central Region, Eastern Region & Western Region and the Head Office of which 120 (100 percent) were received back by the deadline. Of these respondents 56 (46,66 percent) said that they find Platform very relevant as an internal newsletter. A further finding was that 68,33 percent of the respondents said Platform should stay as it is. About 58,33 percent of the respondents took 30 minutes to an hour to read the newsletter with ratings of 72,5 percent interested in communication from management, 65 percent in financial performance, 60 percent in news about people and 59,16 percent in departmental information. The main types of information required are about updates on business performance and safety news. The content of six editions of the newsletter was analysed. The newsletter editions used were from the latest one published counting backwards. The content of the newsletter varies in each edition and depends on the theme. There are similar themes that come up with every edition such as safety. The style of writing used is simple to ensure maximum understanding.

M.B.A. / The purpose of this audit was to investigate factors related to the communication structure at Western Platinum Mine. These factors had been investigated regarding their validity regarding all levels ofcommunication. The factors included the following: I. Top-Down Communication 2. Bottom-Up Communication 3. Lateral Communication 4. Objectives ofCommunication 5. Informal Communication 6. Meetings 7. Feedback 8. Written Communication 9. External Communication 10. General Attitudes towards Western Platinum Mine The researcher relied on both quantitative and qualitative research techniques. During the audit, analysis were carried out by means ofthe following data collection methods: • Individual focus interviews with top management, • Focus group discussions with junior level staff, and • Self completion questionnaires were completed by supervisors and middle management When comparing the conclusions with the research hypotheses a high correlation was evident between the original hypotheses and the information generated by the research. It was established that communication, at the lower levels, needs attention. Messages are totally distorted and employees rely on the " ... grapevine ... " Top Management's perception that communication is sound, was proved to be a fallacy. The research thus proved that the hypotheses in fact was in general accurate, correct and evident. As a result of the research a proper communication strategy was developed for Western Platinum Mine which could satisfy all the objectives...

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Victoria University (Melbourne, Vic.), 2006. / Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2014. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The difficulty in building a justifiable business case is preventing Fruitways from adopting a unified communication solution. Subsequently the research set out to determine the business value that Fruitways can expect to derive from implementing a unified communication solution before committing to a full-scale implementation. The results of this research have put Fruitways in a position to make an informed decision on whether or not to adopt unified communication. In order to answer the research question a unified communications pilot project was initiated within the Fruitways group using the introduction of Microsoft Lync (a unified communications application) as the event under study. The research described and analysed a unified communications pilot project in a bounded system, Fruitways (the case). The case study made use of abductive reasoning in order to synthesise a case for the business value that Fruitways can expect to derive from implementing unified communication technology. The literature study showed that unified communications provide value to an organisation on four levels; namely, the personal, workgroup, enterprise and infrastructure level. However, participants in the pilot project indicated that they experienced value from unified communication only on three of the four levels as identified in the literature; these levels were: • Personal level. Participants indicated that they felt more productive with unified communications at their disposal. The rich choice of communication methods empowered participants to choose the most appropriate mode of communication given the communication need and context. • Workgroup level. The main drivers of value for participants on this level was found in the increased speed of group tasks, working more effectively across distance and evidence of more effective work practises forming. • Enterprise level. The study showed improved coordination between departments in Fruitways with the deployment of unified communication technology. Surprisingly there was no indication that Fruitways could expect to save significant infrastructure related costs by consolidating communication onto a single data network. The infrastructure related cost saving value proposition that is most often cited by vendors of unified communication systems was not clear for Fruitways. Although the study showed that unified communication presents value to Fruitways, the literature also pointed toward the importance that this value needs to be aligned with the strategic objectives of the business in order to constitute true business value. The business value that unified communication presents to Fruitways does indeed support its strategic objectives.

Thesis (M.A.)--The University of Texas at Arlington, 2007. / Adviser: Tom Christie. Includes bibliographical references.