| dc.description.abstract | This project set out to determine factors that influence organizational communication in
Kenyan public universities. The significance of the study is that universities playa pivotal role in the development of a society and that free flow of information is an important ingredient in decision-making process of any organization. Communication plays a significant role in mobilizing individuals to discharge their roles in harmony, for the achievement of goals and objectives of an organization. Appropriate channels of communication are a prerequisite in communication with different publics in furtherance to an organization's mission. A positive corporate image among the key internal publics of the public universities, students and staff will lead to good will from other publics.
The study was undertaken at the University of Nairobi, which is considered to be an adequate representative of other public universities in Kenya. The University has all characteristics and features of a public university and indeed the rest are modeled along its academic and administrative structures. The findings and recommendations of this study can therefore be generalized to the rest of the public universities in Kenya.
The study was an exploratory Survey that targeted 300 respondents. Questionnaires were distributed in all the six campuses of the University. A total of 291 questionnaires were returned, representing an impressive 97 percent response rate. The sample was derived from a population of 31,047 students and stafffrom the University of Nairobi.
The main objective of the study was to determine factors that influence organizational communication among public universities in Kenya. The study identified the various channels of communication that exist in public universities and their effectiveness. A review of the relationship between the organizational structure at the public universities and information flow was also made. It also sought to determine the level of corporate image and feeling among the internal publics of public universities. Based on the findings, the study aimed at making appropriate recommendations on how communication and information flow can be improved in public universities.
The findings indicate a poor rating of internal communication in public universities with 72 percent of the respondents rating it as very poor. A number of channels of communication were identified, with the E-mail being voted as the most effective by over 250 respondents. On the ability of the current organizational structures in public universities to support information flow, a 62 percent verdict of no was made. A total of 177 respondents indicated that the organizational structures in public universities required an over haul to enable them permit an efficient information flow.
Finally, the study investigated the level of awareness about university matters among the respondents. The aim here was to determine the image of public universities as corporate bodies. The findings revealed that 62 percent of the respondents were not aware of the university's mission and objectives while 63 percent of the respondents did not know their Vice Chancellor at the time when the study was undertaken. During the period of study, the University of Nairobi had an acting Vice Chancellor, ProfG A 0 Magoha.
The findings also indicate the need to evaluate the current organizational structures of public universities to permit a high level of information flow. The need to improve on channels of communication in public universities is demonstrated. Use of E-mail has been embraced by staff and students in public universities and requires strengthening. Connectivity to the Internet is desirable and as such the number of computers for use by both students and staff need to be increased and located in convenient places for accessibility. The need to set up a coordinated communication policy governing the public and private universities is a major recommendation by the researcher. | en |
