Chamas as Stable Organisations: A Binding Proposition to McPhee and Zaug’s Four Flows
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Date
2018-05
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Publisher
International Journal of Communication and Public Relation
Abstract
Purpose: Chamas are popular social collectives in Kenya. Literature suggests that one in three
Kenyans belong to at least one Chama, and that though Chamas are formed for a variety of valid
reasons, many often break within their formative years. The four Chamas presented in this study
are between 8 and 16 years old, and in their words, are growing stronger. The study takes on a
Communicative Constitution of Organisation (CCO) metatheoretical stance, to explore how
communication constitutes the Chamas as such stable organisations.
Methodology: The study adopted the McPhee and Zaug‟s Four Flows model, which suggests
that organisations are communicatively constituted through Four flows: membership negotiation,
reflexive self-structuring, activity coordination, and institutional positioning. While Chamas
exhibit these flows in unique ways, we argue that a more binding, additional flow contributes to
a stable Chama, creating an organisation better placed in meeting its objectives, and therefore
working better for the wellbeing of its members, as well as its wider social context. This study
presents findings from four purposively selected Chamas: KP, BC, UFN, and TW, which were
observed over 6 months. Four in depth interviews were held with the leadership of the Chamas,
in addition to four focus group discussions with members of the Chamas.
Results: The findings reveal a unique Flow, which we refer to as the Intangible Fabric Flow,
which arguably, smoothens the running of McPhee and Zaug‟s Four Flows, in the context of the
Chamas, and adds an exclusive theoretical contribution.
Unique Contribution to theory and practice: The study provides a unique contribution to
theory and practice since Chamas and organisations in general will benefit from considering and
nurturing an intangible fabric which helps them to hold together, beyond the work that they are
doing. This stability can bring with it immense rewards brought about by a stable organisation.
Description
Journal Article
Keywords
Chamas, CCO, Four Flows, Intangible Fabric
Citation
Njeru, B. W., Mbutu, P., & Awiti, J. (2018). Chamas As Stable Organisations: A Binding Proposition To McPhee And Zaug’s Four Flows. International Journal of Communication and Public Relation, 3(1), 18–35.