De communicatiefunctie in Belgische organisaties: Hoe excellent is deze ingevuld? [Communications functions in Belgian organizations: How excellently are they implemented?]

Abstract

This study presents data, which were obtained by a web survey (n = 750), concerning the position of communications in the hierarchical structure of Belgian organizations with at least 50 employees. Results show that 43 percent of the organizations in the sample have an integrated communications department. About one third of the communications managers have a high position in the organization. Heads of communications departments fulfill more manager related tasks than managers without such an integrated department. Only a small proportion of the managers has a diploma that is related to communications. Female heads of communications are younger and they occupy a lower hierarchical position than their male colleagues. Also by comparison with their male colleagues with a similar job title, female communications managers are less frequently part of the board of directors. The results of the study are bench-marked with data from previous research in the Netherlands.