Assessment of the internal organisational communication and information flow at the SA Cultural History Museum with reference to its effect on decision making

• Main Author: Human, Rocco Christian
• Language: en
• Published: Cape Peninsula University of Technology 2012
• Subjects: Communication in organizations; Decision making
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11838/964

Thesis (MTech (Business Administration))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2008 === The purpose of this study is to evaluate the organisational communication and infonnation flow at the SA Cultural History Museum (SACHM) and its decentralised sites with particular reference to its role in decision making and, where necessary, to recommend remedial measures. An extensive literature review was undertaken on organisational communication, infornation and decision making in organisations, with particular reference to the SACHM. The literature review facilitated the development of the research instruments, to assess best practices in terms of the identified key drivers. The research questions are: • The existence of communication practices and processes at SACHM, and • The effective dissemination of information necessary for effective decision making. The statistical results of the empirical study reveal conclusively that the organisational communication, information dissemination and decision making at the SACHM was indeed ineffective. The results indicate the following: • The lack of adherence to shared values and common purpose between managers and staff regarding equity, lack of participation in decision-making, lack of service delivery to local, regional and national communities, lack of mutual respect, lack of dedication, lack of a people centered approach, and finally a lack of interpersonal communication and negotiation; • The lack of application of basic communication fundamentals namely the bottom-up and top-down approaches; • The lack of access to timeous and accurate information to make effective decisions; and • The non-existence of communication processes and practices. Dysfunctional organisational communication and inadequate information flow to both employees and managers, has been identified as having an impact on effective decision making. Arising from the findings of the research, a communication audit is recommended to facilitate the establishment of an effective communication and information framework for the museum.