An Assessment of Strategic Communication Practices in Stakeholder Management of Timetable Development Projects: A Case of Daystar University

Abstract

Non-strategic communication practices in stakeholder management have been identified as the leading causes of project failure on many occasions. In postgraduate level studies at Daystar University, some students attribute delays in the realization of postgraduate credentials to unsuitable timetable scheduling resulting from improper strategic communication practices and insufficient involvement of stakeholders in timetable development. This study involved an assessment of strategic communication practices in stakeholder management of timetable development projects. The study was guided by the following objectives: to assess strategic communication practices employed by Daystar University to manage stakeholders of timetable development projects; to establish the effectiveness of strategic communication practices in the management of stakeholders of timetable development projects in Daystar University; and to measure the expectations and perceptions of stakeholders in Daystar University so as to inform stakeholder management of timetable development projects. A descriptive research design was employed while 77 questionnaires were issued to postgraduate students of Daystar University who formed the respondents. Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 24 software was used for data analysis. The findings of the study indicated that email, colleagues and class/formal meetings were very effective communication channels in relaying information about MBA programs, exam timetables and class timetables in Daystar University. The study recommended that the Daystar University class timetable development process should be reviewed to involve students and that Daystar University should produce timetables which are flexible to MBA students by either offering all courses through all three semesters of study, making courses available twice weekly or making several courses available on Saturdays.