Organizational communication strategies used by Unki mines for community engagement and development

Abstract

The focus of this study is to assess the organizational communication strategies used by Unki Mine for community engagement and development. Under the umbrella term of “Organizational Communication”, this study discussed related literature such as effective communication, corporate communication, public relations and stakeholder engagement. Further, the study applies triangulation through the use of both qualitative and quantitative research methods to obtain information for empirical and validity purposes. The study is based on Unki Mine, one of the corporate mining companies in Zimbabwe. This article will attempt to respond to the extent to which Unki Mine communication strategies enable them to achieve effective communication with the community in which they operate. Furthermore, the article will also assess the communication strategies used by Unki Mine in relation to their effectiveness when communicating with surrounding communities. The study will extensively assess the challenges and prospects on communication strategies and channels used by Unki Mine Community Engagement and Development (CED) department, when communicating with local communities. Communication strategies such as development newsletter, the Anglo Social Way and the Community Engagement Forum and many others will be explored. The study will be informed by three theories namely development communication, Cognitive dissonance and two-way symmetrical model of communication. Interviews were carried out with Village 17 community members, Chironde Primary and Secondary Senior members, the Community Engagement Forum members and the Unki Mine management employees who participated in the study