Mobile communication tools in the management and governance of institutions of higher learning in South Africa

Abstract

This paper aims to evaluate the effectiveness of mobile communication tools in the management and governance of institutions of higher learning in South Africa. A sample of 523 participants was chosen to fully represent the staff and students. The methodology adopted in this paper followed a desktop study approach. The lack of effective communication tools is considered one of the reasons why institutions fail to realise their potential. Institutions fail to effectively communicate with stakeholders despite availability of a range of communication tools. It is possible that some of these communication tools are not accessible by some stakeholders. The paper reveals the following important aspects: that employees become happy, cooperative and more productive when the management communicates strategic matters with them on a regular basis, when internal stakeholders are poorly informed, they may lose confidence in the institution, and that could negatively affect their morale more especially when they are not consulted on matters that affect them and the institution and that lack of training opportunities for employees can result in employees failing to meet the employer's expectations in terms of performance. The paper recommends regular training on the use of latest communication technologies as important for organisational communication strategy