‘The Enabling Role of Internal Organizational Communication in Insider Threat Activity – Evidence From a High Security Organization’

This paper explores the role of internal communication in one under-researched form of organizational crisis, insider threat – threat to an organization, its people or resources, from those who have legitimate access. In this case study, we examine a high security organization, drawing from in-depth interviews with management and employees concerning the organizational context and a real-life incident of insider threat. We identify the importance of three communication flows (top-down, bottom-up, and lateral) in explaining, and in this case, enabling, insider threat. Derived from this analysis, we draw implications for communication and security scholars, as well as practitioners, concerning: the impact of unintentional communication, the consequences of selective silence and the divergence in levels of shared understanding of security among different groups within an organization.

Rethinking the Communication with the Unions Members in the New Context

Additional to the three main trends influencing social dialogue at the organizational level - de-centralization, up-scaling, de-institutionalization and representation – the COVID-19 pandemic rules brought a new influence that impacts the Unions, forcing it to adapt its internal communication. This paper is centred upon the way the Unions members in Romania get access to information in the new labour landscape, characterized by the work from home and physical distancing. The research focuses on a collective case-study of three strong Union Federations that developed internal communication with unions’ members that fits the pandemic context. The research focuses on the internal communication repertoire elements used by the Unions. The research method assesses the qualitative information gathered by interviewing key Unions representatives. The main areas of interest are the key topics addressed in the communication with the members, the tools and media mix used, the frequency of the formal communication with the trade unions members, the accountable and the responsible persons with the internal communication, and the management of the feedback from the members, all in the context of what is different vs. 2019. The conclusions are enriched with some recommendations for future development of communication with union members, supporting the social dialog.

The impacts of CEO leadership behaviors on employees' affective commitment and scouting behavior: the mediating role of symmetrical internal communication

PurposeThis study aimed to examine how senior leadership influences corporate communication and employees' attitudinal and behavioral outcomes. Using two-way symmetrical communication model in public relations and leadership theory, it investigated the effects of CEOs' task- and relationship-oriented leadership on symmetrical internal communication, employees' organizational commitment and communicative behaviors.Design/methodology/approachAn online survey was conducted with 417 full-time employees working in various industries in the United States.FindingsThe results showed that CEOs' relationship-oriented leadership significantly influenced symmetrical internal communication, which, in turn, increased affective commitment and employees' scouting behavior. CEOs' task-oriented communication had no significant effect on symmetrical communication.Originality/valueThis study advances theoretical understanding of two-way symmetrical communication in relation to senior leadership and provides practical insights for corporate leaders and public relations practitioners regarding how to improve employee outcomes through CEOs' strategic leadership and internal communication practices.

Internal communication management

Purpose This paper aims to review the latest management developments across the globe and pinpoint practical implications from cutting-edge research and case studies. Design/methodology/approach This briefing is prepared by an independent writer who adds their own impartial comments and places the articles in context. Findings Research based on Latvian firms shows that internal communication is managed in a fragmented way. The internal communication concept is not understood well and its role in the firm’s strategic management process is underestimated. It is recommended that internal communication is designated to a specialized manager or unit and that operates under the direction of top management. Interdisciplinary participation could enhance the value of internal communication practices. Originality/value The briefing saves busy executives, strategists, and researchers’ hours of reading time by selecting only the very best, most pertinent information and presenting it in a condensed and easy-to-digest format

Employee Online Communities

This chapter seeks to impart understanding of the role of employee online communities for enhanced employee engagement and retention in an organization. The highly engaged and motivated employees would contribute more towards accomplishing the organizations goals. The various research studies conducted in the past across the world identify job satisfaction as a major determinant of employee engagement and retention. The role of internal communication through employee online communities of organizations or intranets is theoretically suggested to be a major influencer for the enhancement of employee engagement efforts. This can help to enhance and support culture, corporate values, mission statement, and annual company goals. The purpose of this chapter is to investigate the role that the employee online communities of organizations play in order to support the twin objectives of employee retention and engagement. Engaging employees can be the catalyst for inducing positive change among employees and, as a result, boosting an organization's success.

Patterns of Internal Communication in the Implementation of Total Quality Management (TQM) at Manufacturing Organisations

Organisations need to perform, productivity needs to be improved and organisations’ activities need to be more effective, especially after the world economic crisis due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Therefore, the need for quality improvements is crucial in both manufacturing and service sectors. The main purpose of this paper is to present an analysis of internal communication patterns in TQM implementation in Malaysia's manufacturing organisations. This is a multiple case study done using qualitative in-depth interview technique of data collections with 14 informants representing five large manufacturing organisations. Open-ended questions in semi-structured interviews enabled informants to describe their answers based on themes. The study has been carried out in manufacturing organisations originating from three different continents; two Malaysian local organisations, two eastern and one western organizations, and all of them located in Malaysia. In selecting the informants, the study adopts a judgment type of purposive sampling techniques. Results show that the most preferable and reliable communication medium between superiors and subordinates is still face-to-face meetings, although we are in the era of technology and IR4.0. Meanwhile, telephones are popular among the administration staff. The preferable form of communication between internal-operational is formal, without denying that informal form ofl communication is also important. Keywords: Internal communication, organizational communication, multiple case study, systematic process analysis, TQM.

Komunikasi Pemasaran Pengrajin Bambu Kreatif di Tasikmalaya

Tasikmalaya known as the centers of bamboo handicraft industry in West Java. It produces various products, from daily household equipment in the form of rough woven with low prices to creative bamboo products with high prices for the upper middle market. Products are distributed for domestic needs and demand of foreign buyers. This study reveals the marketing communication behavior of creative bamboo entrepreneurs in Tasikmalaya in developing a creative bamboo craft business. A qualitative method with a case study approach was used to obtain information about the behavior of bamboo handicraft entrepreneurs in Tasikmalaya in marketing their products. Data were collected through in-depth interviews with creative bamboo entrepreneurs who still actively running their businesses and willing to provide information about the businesses they are running. Data were also collected through non-participatory observations at the location and conducted a literature review and documents related to the research. Data analysis, data checking and validity of the data were conducted through Miles and Huberman's interactive data analysis concept. The results showed that the communication behavior conducted by creative bamboo entrepreneurs consisted of internal communication behavior and external communication behavior. Internal communication behavior is conducted on workers with the principle of kinship. Humanist approach is used to maintain production stability.The form of external communication behavior is tailored to whom they're being faced. Face-to-face communication and mediated communication are used in marketing bamboo handicraft products.

Adaptation of Innovations in the IT Industry in Poland: The Impact of Selected Internal Communication Factors

Adaptation of innovations by employees, especially in hi-tech industries, is very important from the perspectives of both implementing new technologies and maintaining competitiveness in today’s dynamic market. The paper analyzes selected internal communication factors in terms of their potential impacts on the adaptation of innovations in information technology (IT) companies in Poland. These factors were determined on the basis of a literature analysis, opinions of panel participants (experts), and pilot studies that have been conducted. The undoubtedly innovative element is the study of the impact of the above-mentioned factors on the individual stages of innovation. The aim of the study was to identify and assess the perception of the influence of selected factors related to internal communication in a company on the adaptation of innovation by employees of the IT industry in Poland, taking into account the different stages of the implementation. The hypothesis of the study was that selected internal communication factors have different effects on innovation adoption at different stages of the innovation process. The study combined expert opinions and a literature analysis with a diagnostic survey (questionnaire) and a statistical analysis. The questionnaire survey allowed the examination of the opinions of the respondents about the impacts of 12 factors related to internal communication in the company on the adaptation of innovation. The results of the study confirmed the hypothesis and allowed the formulation of theoretical and practical conclusions that can be applied when introducing innovations.

Museus Corporativos como Ferramentas de Comunicação Interna no Curso da Memória Organizacional / Corporate museums as tools for Internal communication in the orientation of Organizational Memory

This work aims to identify the potential of corporate museums as organizational memory initiatives, as well as the contribution of these spaces to internal communication as assets to strengthen a company's culture. In this qualitative research, we conducted a bibliographic study, in which we identified in the literature since the need for the feeling of belonging to society; the advent of the “memory culture” phenomenon; the formalization of the past in places of memory; and the interface of these social movements within organizations - with the rise of corporate museums. As an intersection of structuring the past, in Brazil and in the world, there are historical periods marked by changes in power and political freedoms. To understand and identify this process, we analyzed six corporate museums, which are owned and operated by traditional private organizations, installed over 40 years ago in Fortaleza and neighboring municipalities, in the state of Ceará. Thus, we structured the results of applying a semi-structured questionnaire in a table, which was sent by e-mail to those responsible for these memory spaces. The questions were constructed, aligned with the theoretical concepts presented and in search of the specific objectives to identify: the potential contribution of these corporate museums as a tool of internal communication in the management of people; understand the role of these spaces in the development and consolidation of the sense of identification and belonging of the internal public, through the transmission of institutional values. We also structured the analysis of data and institutional information collected in the table, characterizing each museum. Thus, by mapping the type of collection, the place where they work and the directions of the narrative exposed in the analyzed spaces, it is possible to dimension perspectives for the questioning of an organization, after all, “Museum, for what? ”. In other words, what is the intention of each memory space, what message do want to strengthen with visitors, for example. Still, among the contributions presented for academic studies and professional performance, are: an unprecedented proposal, not found in the literature, for the classification of potential explored by the internal communication area (low, good and high). Regarding this classification, it is worth mentioning that we were guided by the purpose of finding perspectives for academic studies, as well as for professional performance in organizational communication, not having the objective, therefore, to tax any evidence found, right or wrong, but rather to give light to the opportunities already understood and explored by the internal communication, human resources and public relations sectors of one organization, but not yet strengthened in another. In our studies, we have also identified the possibilities of strategic use of this organizational memory by the areas of internal communication, public relations and HR, such as tax exemptions, in addition to the direct relationship of corporate museum projects to the high management of the initiatives studied. The literature and the studied spaces also showed us that the memory of a company, as well as its organizational culture, can be seen as a strategic element, of affirmation and positioning in the market in times of great changes. Understanding the internal public and its potential to multiply organizational culture is also a possible and necessary look at companies memory projects. We also bring the contribution that, in order to be strategic in strengthening ties and for the perpetuation of institutional values ​​in the internal environment, the corporate museum needs to be aligned with the effort to consolidate the collective memory of the social context in which the organization is inserted.