Perception:A Determinant for Effective Communication

Communication may be the process whereby a source encodes a message and sends it through a medium to a receiver. It may even involve the sending of a feedback by the receiver to the source; however, effective communication goes far beyond this level. It has been observed that the fact that a receiver receives the actual message does not guarantee that he interprets it in the way intended by the source. Any message received is interpreted in the light of the perception of the receiver. This study therefore examines the relevance and significance of perception to communication. It also examines what communication is, and how the process is mediated by the perceptual process. A Perceptual Communication Model is proposed in the study to explain the relationship between communication and perception. The study concludes by suggesting that communicators should design messages in terms of their receivers' perceptual inclination rather than focusing entirely on the elements of the communication SOPHIA: An African Journal of Philosophy Vol. 9 (1) 2006: pp. 148-15

Relations between Multinationals and Host Communities in Nigeria's Niger Delta: A Stakeholder Perspective

Oil exploration and refining are no longer novelties !hough the technologies involved may be. Their processes are similar in most countries of the world and are operated mostly b1· the same multinational companies (MNCs). The host communities even share the same pride of housing such productive and economically viable industry, with high expectations of development. Though the main aim of MNCs is to make profit, this canna! be achieved effectively withou/ a favourable relationship with their host communities. This study examines the relalionship between Shell. Chevron and Agip and jive host communities (Omoku, Obrikom, Eruemukohwarien, Tisun and Kolokolo) in Nigeria's Niger Della from the perspective of !he slakeholder theory. The findings reveal !hal Agip enjoyed a bel/er relationship with its host communit{es than Shell and Chevron. The study recommends that MNCs · should elevate their host communities from the diffused publics to the jimctional publics ' statu