Comparative study of internal communication management in public universities with high quality accreditation in Antioquia

Abstract

This  article  presents  the  results  of  a  comparative  study  of  internal  communications management approaches in two public universities with  high-quality  accreditation  in  Antioquia  (Colombia)  as  a  basis  for  building  a  communications  model  for  public  institutions  of  higher education.

For the analysis at each university (Universidad Nacional de Colombia and Universidad de Antioquia), interviews and focus  groups  with  academic   and   administrative   managers   and   communications   professionals   were   held.   Previous   studies   on   university communications   systems   and   communications   theories   were   considered.  Existing  literature  on  organizational  communication, quality  management  standards,  and  CNA  guidelines,  were  key  in  the choice of the variables chosen for comparison.

The analysis showed that the two universities share similar realities, such  as  a  fragile  articulation  between  the  central  communications  system and communication flows in the academic units, a greater interest in media production than in formulating long-term strategies, and  a  lack  of  explicit  policies  for  communications  management,  among others.