INTERNAL COMMUNICATION CHALLENGES AND ISSUES: A CASE STUDY OF TRANSNET FREIGHT RAIL BUSINESS UNIT COAL, VRYHEID (KWAZULU NATAL PROVINCE, SOUTH AFRICA)

Abstract

Internal communication is a relatively new field of research, particularly within Transnet Freight Rail. Therefore, the purpose of this research was to investigate the internal communication challenges and issues of Transnet Freight Rail Bu Coal Vryheid. Three major themes were considered within the field of internal communication: internal communication management, the channels utilised within organisation for internal communication and whether measurement of the internal communication was evident. The findings indicate that internal communication is a large area of research that differs between organisations with content, structure and management.
Additionally, a range of communication channels were used in all of the participant departments with emails the most predominant channel, while face-to-face communication was an often underutilised channel. One finding was the lack of formal measurement undertaken by the company, thereby contradicting the advisement of the academic literature. It was recommended that management specifically corporate affairs measure internal communication by conducting an internal communication audit. Face-to-face communication should be encouraged, there should be organised more meetings between different divisions/departments, people must realise that the division’s cooperation brings more effectiveness to everybody’s work; things are done faster, easier and better.