This thesis explores the factors that influence the extent to which the World Wide Web (henceforth web) is utilised by corporations in an environmentally sensitive industry to communicate with their stakeholders in relation to environmental issues. The study initially establishes, in theory, the communication potential of the web and possible factors which can impact on the extent to which this potential is utilised for environmental communication. Subsequently, it examines the use of the web by specific companies in the Australian minerals industry for communicating environmental issues to their stakeholders over time. Explanations for current practices are established through an analysis of the impact of the factors established in theory on web based environmental communication in the Australian minerals industry.¶ A model was established to guide the research process for this study. Drawing upon media richness theory (Daft & Lengel, 1984, 1986; Sproull, 1991; Valacich et al., 1993), the Media Richness Framework was developed to provide criteria for assessing the communication potential of the web. It was also posited that the extent to which this potential is utilised in practice is dependent on management’s web based communication needs. These needs incorporate timeliness, accessibility, presentation and organisation, and interaction. Contextual factors, which include limitations of web based technologies, economic, internal organisational and external stakeholder issues, influence these needs.¶ Case study research (Hagg & Hedlund, 1979; Yin, 2003a, 2003b; Scapens, 2004) was used as the methodological approach for this thesis in order to obtain an in-depth understanding of current web based environmental communication practices. An evaluation of the websites of mining companies was used as the basis for selecting three companies as cases. These cases involved a triangulation of approaches towards data collection: monitoring corporate websites on a regular basis; interviewing appropriate personnel in these organisations; and evaluating documents related to the companies’ environmental communication practice. Data gathered from interviews, websites and documents were analysed for individual cases and then through cross-case comparisons. The intention was to confirm the research model and to potentially extend it through a consideration of other factors not identified in theory but evident in current practices.¶ The findings of this research indicate that even though the web has the potential to enhance environmental communication in an environmentally sensitive industry that is subject to extensive stakeholder pressures, there is variation in its use by companies in the Australian minerals industry. An evaluation of the practices of the three chosen companies highlighted that while the web is used extensively by these companies in comparison with other corporations in the industry, the case study companies were at different stages of web based environmental communication.¶ Management’s web based environmental communication needs and the influence of contextual factors on these needs explained the variation in web based environmental communication across all three companies. Moreover, two other factors emerged from the field; these are referred to as the double-edged sword and change in management philosophy. These findings from the field highlight that the need for communication through the web could have unintended consequences while a change in management could alter the current approach towards web based environmental communication.¶ This study into the use of the web in the Australian minerals industry highlights that the medium has an impact on environmental communication practice. Further research could assess the communication potential of the various media used for environmental communication in order to extend the explanatory power of the current study. This study also outlines arguments in support of extending theorisation in environmental communication. Existing theories for social and environmental accounting, such as stakeholder and legitimacy theory (Roberts, 1992; Lindblom, 1993; Deegan, 2002) need to be accompanied by other theoretical perspectives in order to capture a range of potential factors that could impact environmental communication practices. Such insights could provide a comprehensive understanding of environmental communication in different contexts.

¡mAbstract¡n This research examines six presses of Kaohsiung journalists', China Times, Liberty Times, United Daily News, Taiwan Times, Taiwan Shin Wen Daily News, and Public Daily News, the intra-organization media usage for Media Richness and Social Influence Model. It tests four media which are face to face, telephone, e-mail, and written document, and tests which one is suitable for Kaohsiung journalists use in formal communication and informal communication. The result is that the most journalist use face to face as their intra-organization media. Not only testing media usage, this research is also examining the prediction of media usage by Media Richness and Social Influence Model. The result is except downward communication media usage which lacks sufficient samples, the other communication flows' media usage prediction are Media Richness explanation of predicting media usage is better than Social Influence Model. For each press, face to face is the main choice for six presses' journalists in upward communication, horizontal communication and downward communication flow. However, United Daily News' journalists use written document as the main media in informal communication, but the other presses' still use face to face The finding in formal and upward communication, the prediction of media usage by Media Richness and Social Influence Model in Liberty Times doesn¡¦t have significant level. Meanwhile, Liberty Times and Taiwan Shin Wen News' prediction of media usage in horizontal communication don¡¦t have significant level. At last, there are only Liberty Times and Public Daily News's media usage prediction have significant level in informal communication. Keywords:intra-organization, media usage, face to face, telephone, e-mail, written document, formal communication, informal communication, upward communication, horizontal communication, downward communication, Media Richness, Social Influence Model.

近十年來，平衡計分卡（Balanced Scorecard）在全世界廣為流行，掀起企業導入的熱潮，也引起學術研究的興趣。平衡計分卡普遍受重視的原因之一在於提升經理人員策略認知。本研究主要探討平衡計分卡在策略溝通上之效益，運用在組織溝通領域的資訊豐富理論（Media Richness Theory），及該理論中模糊度（Equivocality）與媒介選擇（Media Match）之概念。首先，本研究測試平衡計分卡在其架構下轉化策略的效益。其次，本研究將經理人員依照有無參與平衡計分卡設計分為兩組，分析經理人員在有（無）設計平衡計分卡經驗下，如何選擇溝通平衡計分卡的媒介。最後，本研究同時檢視平衡計分卡在策略溝通上的效果。本研究的資料來自於一家推行平衡計分卡多年的汽車經銷商，且該公司約有三分之一的人員參與過平衡計分卡之設計。 分析的結果顯示：(1) 透過平衡計分卡的架構，策略被轉化成一般營運的語言; (2)有設計平衡計分卡經驗的經理人員選擇較豐富的媒介(Rich Media)來溝通較模糊的平衡計分卡內容，選擇較貧乏的媒介(Lean Media)來溝通較清楚的內容，無推行平衡計分卡經驗的經理人員則沒有此效果。另外，分析結果顯示，與無參與設計的經理人員相比，有參與平衡計分卡設計的經理人員擁有較清楚的策略認知，及深入策略之落實度。 / During the recent decade, the balanced scorecard (BSC) is wide-spread all over the world, and not only attracts companies’ implementation, but academic research as well. BSC is featured as a strategy communication device that is capable of increasing managers’ strategic awareness. The study mainly focuses on the benefits of BSC’s strategy communication with the appliances of the constructs of unequivocality and media match in Media Richness Theory (MRT), one of theories in organization communication field. First of all, the study tests the BSC’s effect upon translation of strategy in its structure. Secondly, managers are sorted into two groups based on their (non)involvement in BSC-designing, and the study analyzes how each group selects media to communicate BSC messages. Finally, the study examines the benefits of BSC’s strategy communication. Data are from a vehicle dealer that implemented BSC for years and, about one third managers in case company participated in designing BSC. The specific results show that (1) in BSC’s structure, the strategy is translated into operation terms; (2) managers who are involved in designing BSC match rich media with ambiguous BSC elements, and lean media with clear element, but this selection does not hold for the noninvolved. Also, the results indicate that, compared with managers without BSC-designing experience, those who have BSC-designing experience have clearer strategic awareness, which improves the execution of strategy.

Title from first page of PDF document. Includes bibliographical references (p. 33-43).

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Mixed richness communications occur when a participant in a conversation receives a different media or combination of media than they transmit. Mixed richness communications occur in the workplace when technical, physiological or practical limitations prevent the use of the same media on both ends of a conversation. Prior research in CMC has focused on same-richness communications, and the design guidelines that are available for same-richness communications may not be applicable to mixed-richness communications. This study attempts to establish a basis for understanding mixed-richness communications by evaluating same-richness communications using concepts and measures previously applied to mixed-richness communications Media Richness Theory (Daft & Lengel, 1984, 1986) defines the richness of a communication medium in terms of its ability to reduce uncertainty and equivocality. According to Daft and Lengel's task-media fit hypothesis, communications are most effective and satisfying when the media richness matches the level of uncertainty and equivocality in a task. Social presence is the perceived ability of a medium to transmit the social cues that lead to a sense that the medium is "warm, personal, sensitive, and sociable" (Short, Williams, & Christie, 1976). Social presence has been suggested to be a predictor of user satisfaction for computer-mediated communications (CMC), and has been used as measure of media richness in previous studies (Rice, 1993; Yoo & Alavi, 2001). This study examined the effects of communication medium and task equivocality on task performance, communication effectiveness and sense of social presence. Pairs of participants were required to complete high and low equivocality collaborative tasks while communicating with each other using CMC. The communication media varied between participants. During some sessions, participants received and transmitted the same media (video-only or text-only). In other cases, participants transmitted text and received video or vice-versa. From the recorded transcripts of each user session was extracted task performance in terms of task time-to-complete and communication effectiveness in terms of the frequency of communication breakdowns. Based on the task-media fit hypothesis, it was expected that task performance and communication effectiveness would be affected by the interaction between communication medium and task equivocality. For the most part, task-media fitness was not confirmed. Only one of the four hypotheses supporting task-media fitness was confirmed for time-to-complete, and none of the four hypotheses supporting task-media-fitness was confirmed for communication breakdown frequency. In the overall analysis of time to complete, Medium was found to have had a significant effect. Sending and receiving text was significantly slower than all other tested media. Sending and receiving video was significantly faster than all other tested media combinations. After completing each task, participants completed a short questionnaire designed to measure the sense of social presence using the original scales developed by Short and Christie. The sense of social presence reported in video communications was significantly higher for all scales than the sense of social presence reported in mixed-richness environments. The sense of social presence reported in text communications was only significantly lower than mixed-richness environments for one scale, with no significant difference for all other scales. / Master of Science

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社群媒體迅速普及，連帶社群商務益發受到重視。本研究藉助S-O-R模型，期能以建立使用者之行為模式觀點的架構探討社群商務參與意圖。本研究中，欲探討營造社會臨場感的關鍵技術性特質對於社會臨場感的影響，進而對於促成參與意圖的效果，並瞭解媒體豐富性的調節作用。本研究蒐集相關文獻，並設計問卷、透過大量樣本進行研究模型驗證。 本研究共回收1218份有效問卷，並透過最小平方法(PLS)進行有效樣本之實證分析。研究結果發現，感知社交性是營造社會臨場感的關鍵技術性特質；同時，臨場感對參與意圖也有顯著的正向影響。即在社群平台上的社交氛圍、能與好友們社交互動，是最能使人感受到身歷其境的臨場感，也最能使人產生社群商務的參與意圖。 根據研究結果，本研究建議發展社群商務的過程中，在建置社群平台時，需要考量的技術性特質應特別著力於社交性內涵，如此是能產生社會臨場感，以及愈能促成社群商務參與意圖。 / Social media is well widespread, so is Social Commerce. With the use of the S-O-R Model, this study expects to establish a comprehensive structure to investigate the social commerce intention. This research proposes a view on the effect of technological features and social presence on social commerce. This study intends to identify the key technological features which enhance the perception of social presence. Furthermore, we intend to understand whether social presence contributes to the social commerce intention and the moderating effect of the media richness. We collected relevant literature, designed the questionnaire and validated the research model. A total of 1218 valid samples were collected to validate the research model. The result shows that perceived sociability is the key technological feature that leads to the perceived social presence, and social presence positively impacts social commerce intention. The analysis results imply that by making a great effort to enhance users' perceived social presence, social platform marketers can expect fruitful business result.

Text in English, abstract in English, Afrikaans and Venda / This study developed and tested an integrated internal communication audit (IICA) tool to evaluate the communication strengths and weaknesses of the Unisa Library. The existing communication audit instruments were explored, namely: the Communication Satisfaction Questionnaire (CSQ) and the International Communication Association (ICA) audit were adapted and complemented by the Organisational Culture Survey (OCS) and the Critical Incident Technique (CIT). The current trends and the trends in South Africa were also explored. The sequential mixed method design consisting of the semi-structured qualitative interviews and the quantitative surveys were used to collect data. The ATLAS.ti and the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software packages were used to analyse qualitative and quantitative data. The results revealed the IICA as an appropriate tool for measuring the integrated internal communication of the Unisa Library. The IICA identified the communication needs of employees; the active and preferred communication channels; and the positive and negative communication experiences of employees. / Hierdie studie het ʼn geïntegreerde interne kommunikasie-oudit (IICA)-hulpmiddel ontwikkel en getoets om kommunikasie-sterkpunte en -swakhede van die Unisa-biblioteek te evalueer. Die bestaande kommunikasie-oudit-instrumente was ondersoek, naamlik: die Kommunikasietevredenheidsvraelys (CSQ) en die Internasionale Kommunikasievereniging (ICA) se oudit is aangepas en gekomplementeer deur die Organisasiekultuur-opname (OCS) en die Kritiese-insident-tegniek (CIT). Die sekwensiële gemengdemetode-ontwerp, bestaande uit die halfgestruktureerde kwalitatiewe onderhoude en die kwantitatiewe opnames, is gebruik om data in te samel. Die ATLAS.ti-programmatuurpakket en die Statistiese Pakket vir Sosiale Wetenskappe (SPSS)-programmatuur is gebruik om kwalitatiewe en kwantitatiewe data te ontleed. Die resultate gewys die IICA as ʼn geskikte hulpmiddel was in die meting van die geïntegreerde interne kommunikasie van die Biblioteek. Die IICA geïdentifiseer die kommunikasie behoeftes van werknemers; die aktiewe en voorkeur kommunikasie kanale; en die positiewe en negatiewe kommunikasie ervarings van werknemers. / Ngudo iyi yo bveledza na u linga tshishumiswa tsha u Sedzulusa Vhudavhidzani ha nga ngomu ho Ṱanganelaho (Integrated Internal Communication Audit (IICA), u ṱola vhuḓi na vhuvhi ha vhudavhidzani kha Ḽaiburari ya Univesithi ya Afrika Tshipembe. Zwishumiswa zwa u sedza vhudavhidzani zwi re hone zwo sedzuluswaho zwi katela: Mbudzisambekanywa dza Vhudavhidzani dzine dza fusha ṱhoḓea (Communication Satisfaction Questionnaire) (CSQ) na tshishumiswa tsha u sedzulusa vhudavhidzani tsha Dzangano ḽa Dzitshaka ḽa Vhudavhidzani (International Communication Association) (ICA). Zwishumiswa izwo zwo ḓadziswa nga tshishumiswa tsha Ṱhoḓisiso ya Mvelele ya Tshiimiswa (Organisational Culture Survey) (OCS) na Tshikalo tsha u ela Maitele a Zwithu zwa ndeme (Critical Incident Technique) (CIT). Pulane ya thevhekano ya maitele o ṱanganelaho o vhumbwaho nga maitele a ṱhoḓisiso ane a shumiswa kha saintsi dza matshilisano (qualitative) na maitele a ṱhoḓisiso ane a shumisa zwiṱatisiṱika na mbalo (quantitative) zwo shumiswa u kuvhanganya mawanwa. Phakhedzhi ya Sofuthiwea ya ATLAS.ti na phakhedzhi ya Siṱatisiṱika ya Saintsi dza Matshilisano (Statistical Package for Social Sciences - SPSS) dzo shumiswa u saukanya mawanwa a ṱhoḓisiso dza matshilisano na a ṱhoḓisiso dza zwiṱatisiṱika na mbalo. Mvelelo dzo bvisela khagala uri IICA ndi tshishumiswa tsho teaho u ela vhudavhidzani ho ṱanganelaho ha nga ngomu Ḽaiburari ya Univesithi ya Afrika Tshipembe. Tshishumiswa itshi tsho bvisela khagala thoḓea dza vhashumi dza vhudavhidzani, zwishumiswa zwa vhudavhidzani zwine zwa khou shumiswa na zwi takalelwaho; na tshenzhemo ya vhashumi kha vhudavhidzani havhudi and vhu si havhudi. / Communication Science / M. Comm (Communication Science)

The concept of SIC in the banking circle specifically in Ghana and generally in Africa has raised concerns for research because it concerns the management of the processes of communication strategies to achieve communication goals. Previously, the banking reports of Ghana required that the stakeholders of industries be well-informed using the comprehensive communication plan; however, it appears that different trends of communication strategies have been adopted recently. To this end, this study explored 3 banks operating in Accra to determine their strategic integrated communication practices with stakeholders. Using the Media Richness Theory and the Two-Way Symmetrical Model of Communication, the study analysed data obtained through in-depth interviews from staff of the banks and some documents accessed from the banks. The findings indicated that the banks need to review strategies for client satisfaction and loyalty as an output of strategically integrating communication efforts. The study concludes that bank interactivity must be conducted strategically and efficiently to achieve the best communication results. / Communication Science / Ph. D.