Integrated internal communications: a multidisciplinary perspective

TLDR

The study draws on business, management, corporate, and organisational communication domains and considers all formal and informal internal communication within organisations. The article explores the multidisciplinary nature of internal communications and argues that an integrated approach benefits knowledge sharing assessment in organisations. The authors review current literature and analyze qualitative interview data from a leading multinational company. Empirical data support the integrated view and highlight knowledge sharing as a strategic function of integrated internal communications.

Abstract

Purpose This article's purpose is to explore the multidisciplinary nature of internal communications, and argue that an integrated approach to internal communications is beneficial when assessing knowledge sharing in organisations. Design/methodology/approach This article presents a review of relevant current literature, and explores the issue through qualitative interview data from a world‐leading multinational companies (MNC). Findings The empirical data provide support for the integrated view, and also enhance our understanding of knowledge sharing as an important and strategic function of integrated internal communications. Originality/value The integrated perspective here contributes to the understanding of internal communications in two ways. First, it draws from the domains of business, management, corporate, and organisational communication, which together incorporate both practical and theoretical knowledge. Second, it includes all formal and informal communication that take place inside an organisation.