Two-way symmetrical communication and interactivity on the web: a case study of two South African non-governmental organisations

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Date
2003
Authors
Naudé, Annelie
Froneman, Johannes
Atwood, Roy
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of the Free State
Abstract
English: Practitioners who use the internet as part of their public relations efforts often still do not apply the interactive features to their fullest potential. This article is based on a study that aimed to address the void in public relations research as far as the application of new communication technology is concerned. The research focused on the interactive nature of the internet by applying the two-way symmetrical model of public relations to the websites of ten South African NGOs. This article deals with two of these NGOs and their use of the World Wide Web. It was confirmed that more than technical knowledge is required to manage a website successfully. Much more important is a sound understanding of the communication function within an organisation, especially with regard to public relations. Understanding and practising the two-way symmetrical model would in the long run be beneficial to the optimum use of an organisational website.
Afrikaans: Skakelpraktisyns wat die internet as deel van hulle skakelwerkaksies gebruik, pas dikwels nie die interaktiewe eienskappe van die internet optimaal toe nie. Hierdie artikel is gebaseer op ’n studie wat ten doel gehad het om die leemte in skakelkundige navorsing wat betref die toepassing van nuwe kommunikasietegnologie te ondersoek. Die navorsing het op die interaktiewe aard van die internet gefokus en die simmetriese tweerigtingmodel van skakelwerk op die webwerwe van tien Suid-Afrikaanse NRO’s is toegepas. Die artikel bespreek twee van hierdie NRO’s en hulle benutting van die Wêreldwye Web. Die ondersoek het getoon dat ’n deeglike begrip van die toepaslike kommunikasiefunksie en van die rol van skakelwerk waarskynlik baie meer belangrik is as tegniese kennis vir die suksesvolle bestuur van ’n webwerf. Die begryp en die toepassing van die simmetriese tweerigtingmodel kan op die lang termyn lei tot die optimumgebruik van ’n organisasie se webwerf.
Description
Keywords
Non-profit organisations, World Wide Web, Communication, Website, Internet
Citation
Naude, A., Froneman, J., & Atwood, R. (2003). Two-way symmetrical communication and interactivity on the web: a case study of two South African non-governmental organisations. Acta Academica, 35(1), 66-94.