Exploring the role of internal risk communication in decision-making within a food and beverages organisation

Abstract

Risk communication is important for effective risk management; it is a vital component of risk analysis. Risk communication and decision-making are connected, as effective risk communication enables risk informed decisions. This study aims to explore how internal risk communication informs decision-making in a food and beverages organisation in South Africa. The study was conducted within a multinational food and beverages organisation, with offices in South Africa. The study was conducted using an exploratory interview-based qualitative research approach and the researcher conducted semi-structured interviews where 10 employees were selected. The results extracted from interviews are organised into six themes: Internal risk communication; risk communication channels; benefits, risks, challenges, and strategies for effective risk communication. The findings indicated that the participants have an understanding and can define risk communication. Additionally, the results suggested a number of positive themes relating to how internal risk communication informs decision-making. However, the majority of the participants interviewed experienced challenges to how risk communication is transmitted. This study provides useful information on and a review of risk communications that can be used by the employees in the organisation. The research objectives were achieved, the results answered the research questions, and the recommendations were also made specifically for the risk communication challenges identified. The research scope was limited to internal risk ccommunication, and further research should be conducted to source the views of employees on other levels and in other departments.