Management Perception of Public Relations in Service Organisations: A Study of Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT)

Abstract

The project work hinged on management perception of public relations (PR) in service organisations, based particularly on GNAT. The aim was to bring to light the lapses in PR of GNAT and examine management plans to check or minimize these setbacks in order to promote effective public relations. A descriptive study involving a total population of 140 members was carried out. Respondents were made up of fulltime senior management staff at national, regional and district secretariats of GNAT. Self-administered questionnaires were sent to gather data from respondents. The findings from the study disclosed that public relations was facing problems and needed to be reduced to enable PR contribute to achieving organisational goals. The study indicated further that respondents understood the role of PR but it was noted that PR was beset with problems due largely to low management support. Significantly, the study revealed that respondents considered PR relevant. However, the study disclosed poor management attention for PR programmes. To this end respondents suggested that communication matters and PR generally, should be adequately financed and supported to enable GNAT to meet the needs of its vast empire of publics and organisational goals.