Abstract The bureaucratic and academic nature of higher education institutions (HEIs), coupled with their complex organisational structures, extensive vertical hierarchies and large numbers of staff in need of communication, are believed to often hamper their internal communication processes. This is, to a great extent, also the case in the South African higher education arena. This article reports on a study that aimed to undertake research that would direct the development of a framework for improving internal communication at South African multi-campus universities. The framework would not only boast of features which are regarded as good practice by companies in the corporate sector, but also features based on the recommendations and suggestions of communication executives from seven multi-campus universities in South Africa. A mixed methods research design was employed. The research indicates that communication should be established as a core business value, and be advocated on all levels. The findings also suggest that management should be evaluated on their communication skills; regular monitoring of the effectiveness of communication at main and distance campuses should take place; whilst communication channels for feedback should be established. The internal communication framework outlined in the article may aid multi-campus universities to attain higher levels of excellence, which will subsequently result in greater business impact and more funding opportunities.

中文翻译：

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在高等教育中迷失了沟通

摘要 高等教育机构 (HEI) 的官僚主义和学术性质，加上其复杂的组织结构、广泛的垂直层次结构和大量需要沟通的员工，被认为经常阻碍其内部沟通过程。这在很大程度上也是南非高等教育领域的情况。本文报告了一项旨在开展研究的研究，该研究将指导南非多校区大学改善内部沟通的框架的开发。该框架不仅具有被企业界公司视为良好实践的特征，而且还具有基于南非七所多校区大学的传播主管的建议和建议的特征。采用混合方法研究设计。研究表明，沟通应该被确立为核心商业价值，并在各个层面得到倡导。调查结果还表明，应该对管理层的沟通技巧进行评估；应定期监测主要校区和远程校区的通信有效性；同时应建立反馈的沟通渠道。文章中概述的内部沟通框架可能有助于多校区大学达到更高的卓越水平，从而带来更大的商业影响和更多的资助机会。调查结果还表明，应该对管理层的沟通技巧进行评估；应定期监测主要校区和远程校区的通信有效性；同时应建立反馈的沟通渠道。文章中概述的内部沟通框架可能有助于多校区大学达到更高的卓越水平，从而带来更大的商业影响和更多的资助机会。调查结果还表明，应该对管理层的沟通技巧进行评估；应定期监测主要校区和远程校区的通信有效性；同时应建立反馈的沟通渠道。文章中概述的内部沟通框架可能有助于多校区大学达到更高的卓越水平，从而带来更大的商业影响和更多的资助机会。