Abstracts Communications and the Arts

Implementation of social media policies: A case study of the ministry of information and communication technology and mobile telecommunications company

by Beaulah B. Boois

This study set out to assess social media usage by the Ministry of Information and Communication Technology (MICT) and Mobile Telecommunications Company (MTC). The main objectives of this study were to assess MICT and MTC’s social media policies; to evaluate the implementation of MICT and MTC’s social media policies in the context of best practice as well as to measure users’ attitudes towards MICT and MTC’s social media policies. The study adopted the pragmatism worldview that involved a convergent mixed-method design: Social Media Policies’ document analysis and survey of Windhoek residents. The population for this study consisted of 322 000 residents of Windhoek City. The study adopted multistage cluster sampling to draw a sample size of 200 participants using the Krejcie and Morgan Table. Primary data was collected using structured self-administered questionnaire and a codebook. The data were analysed using SPSS descriptive statistics feature and thematically analysed. The major findings were that MTC’s social media policy was found wanting from an implementation perspective by survey respondents who also indicated preference for the MICT policy in the same index. The document analysis of both MTC and MICT policies from the purpose of best practice uncovered loopholes in the policies that allow for bullying and the posting of inappropriate content. The major recommendations of this study include that a dedicated employee or department be assigned to officially communicate on behalf of the organizations and employees should understand both the professional and personal risks associated with social media management. Also, it is recommended that the organizations draft simplified policies that can be easily understood and implemented as well as review and regularly update policies in this fast-paced technological era.