SENIOR STAFF'S PERCEPTIONS ON COMMUNICATION PRACTICES OF UNIVERSITY OF CAPE COAST ADMINISTRATORS

ABSTRACT

The study set out to investigate into the perceptions of senior staff on communication practices of University of Cape Coast administrators, considering such practices as channels of communication used by University administrators, directions of communication and barriers relating to the communication practices of administrators. The study traced the history and development of " communication in organizations. Purposive and simple random sampling methods were used in selecting the respondents. Questionnaires were served to all the selected staff. In all 272 respondents (87.5%) returned their completed questionnaire. The descriptive survey method was adopted for the research. Interview schedules were conducted for some senior staff Personal observations were also made in ten offices. The study concluded that the most frequently used channels of communication in the University of Cape Coast are verbal communication and through the grapevine. With regard to observations made, it was seen, that whereas some heads of department allow their secretaries to deal with confidential and other routine letters, others do not allow their staff to take such initiatives. The study, therefore, recommended that heads of department should ensure that confidential letters are kept properly. Heads of departments should, however, allow their secretaries to deal with routine letters in order to avoid unnecessary delays in responding to such letters.