Internal Publics’ Perceptions of Crisis Communication Plan: A Case of Daystar University Preparedness for Terror Crisis

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Date

2018-05

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

Daystar University, School of Communication

Abstract

Years of research and experiments in crisis communication have shown the vital need for effective communication before, during and after a crisis. Studies have shown that failure to plan for crisis has the propensity to negatively damage an organization’s reputation, damage its relationship with internal and external publics and affect continued operations. Kenya has for years been a target for terror-related attacks on organizations and institutions. With this regard, this study sought to examine the correlation between a crisis communication plan and the perceptions of internal publics of an institution’s preparedness for terror crisis at Daystar University (DU). The population of the study comprised of students, staff from the Corporate Affairs Department and the risk assessment team. A sample size and frame were chosen from the target population. Quantitative data was analysed by use of Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 22 while qualitative data was analysed by creating themes and sub-themes using the software Nvivo11. The results were presented using tables and figures. The study established that a majority of the respondents were unaware of Daystar University’s crisis communication plan and were not adequately prepared in case of a terror attack. The students were also unaware of a crisis communication team and therefore did not know who to contact for information. The study concluded that in the event of a crisis, the steady flow of information taken through organizations actions could mitigate the effects of a crisis. The study recommends that the university tests its crisis communication plan by informing the students of its accessibility, scheduled terror drills, who makes up the crisis communication team, the spokesperson and appropriate channels of communication in terror related crisis.

Description

MASTER OF ARTS in Communication

Keywords

effective communication, crisis communication, Daystar University

Citation

Kamau, E. W. (2015). Internal Publics’ Perceptions of Crisis Communication Plan: A Case of Daystar University Preparedness for Terror Crisis. Daystar University, School of Communication