Communication and community stakeholder relationships in a company: a case study of geothermal development company

Abstract

The main objective of the study was to investigate communication and community stakeholder relationships in Geothermal Development Company. While a communication and community stakeholder relationship is essential for realization of company goals and projects, little is known on how community stakeholder engagement is detrimental to the organization. The study was guided by the following specific objectives; to assess the need for communication and community stakeholder engagement in Geothermal Development Company; to determine the impact of communication and community stakeholder relationships in Geothermal Development Company; to examine the challenges in communication and community stakeholder relationships in Geothermal Development Company and to determine the communication strategies used to build the community stakeholder relationships in Geothermal Development Company. The study adopted a descriptive research design. This study targeted population of Geothermal Development Company with approx. 1081 employees. Purposive sampling was used to select only participants that are conversant with practices in corporate communication and stakeholder relationships in Geothermal Development Company. A total of (27) employee of community relations and corporate communication and marketing department was therefore incorporated as the sample size. Data was gathered using structured questionnaires. The findings of the study indicated that communication and community stakeholder engagement was an imperative for the smooth operations experienced at GDC as this fostered a peaceful coexistence between the company and the local communities. Secondly, the findings indicated that the impact of communication and community stakeholder engagement had a positive effect on the company‟s operations. Thirdly, the company had encountered challenges in their communication and community stakeholder engagement including the lack of consultation with the community stakeholders which often led to differences between the company and the community members. The study recommends the need to ensure full engagement with the local inhabitants as they are the ones who will be affected with their operations. To ensure fully engagement with the local residents recommends the need to engage the communities by ensuring that their interests and expectations including immediate employment of its members are met. It also recommended that the company should undertake to carry out socially responsible projects such as community water projects, and community health projects.