Assessing risk communication culture in the South African Military Service

Abstract

This study assesses the risk communication culture within the South African Military Service (SAMS) and its relation to the quality of decision-making. Given the unique challenges faced by the SAMS, which is characterised by an entrenched culture of secrecy and a complex historical transition to a democratic government; this research aims to fill critical gaps in the literature regarding the interplay between risk communication and decision quality. Utilising a quantitative survey-based methodology, the study employed validated instruments, including the DownsHazen Communication Satisfaction Questionnaire (CSQ) and the Wang et al. Decision Quality Questionnaire (DQQ), to gather empirical data on personnel's perceptions of communication practices and decision-making processes. A stratified random sample of approximately 78 personnel from various ranks and education levels was surveyed to ensure representativity and to capture diverse insights into current risk communication practices, barriers and potential improvements. The research sought to identify key barriers to effective risk communication and to propose actionable recommendations for enhancing communication culture within SAMS. The findings were expected to reveal a significant correlation between the risk communication climate and the quality of decision-making, contributing valuable insights that can lead to improved operational efficiency and effectiveness within the military context. Ultimately, this study aims to provide a framework for understanding the critical role of effective communication in enhancing decision-making capabilities, thereby fostering a more transparent and responsive organisational culture within SAMS.