General information

Code: J5-70193 Verčič
Period: 1.4.2026 - 31.3.2029
Project leader at FDV: prof.dr. Dejan Verčič

Abstract

The research proposal, "Adaptive Internal Communication: Building Resilient Organizations and Fostering Satisfaction with Life," focuses on developing the Adaptive Internal Communication Theory (AICT) to address the challenges and opportunities posed by hybrid and digital workplace environments. Its overarching goal is to explore how internal communication systems influence organizational outcomes and individual well-being, emphasizing the need for inclusive and adaptive strategies in increasingly complex work settings.

Internal communication plays a critical role in fostering trust, engagement, and inclusivity within organizations, directly impacting employee satisfaction and organizational resilience. The proposal aims to develop and validate the AICT framework by examining key variables, including leadership communication, employee voice, informal communication, and attitudes toward digital communication technologies (DCT). These elements collectively shape internal communication satisfaction (ICS), which serves as a central mediator linking communication practices to broader outcomes, such as engagement, well-being, and life satisfaction. The research emphasizes the interconnectedness of these factors and seeks to provide evidence-based strategies for fostering effective communication systems in diverse workplace contexts.

The methodology of this research adopts a mixed-methods approach, integrating literature reviews, qualitative research, experimental designs, and longitudinal studies. The project begins with a thorough examination of existing literature to identify gaps in research on ICS and the challenges posed by digital transformation. This theoretical foundation is supplemented by qualitative methods, including focus groups and interviews with employees in hybrid work environments, to capture detailed insights into their communication experiences. These findings will inform the development of the AICT framework and guide the design of subsequent experiments and surveys.

Experimental research will play a pivotal role in validating the framework by testing the relationships between communication variables, such as leadership communication, employee voice, and attitudes toward DCT. Through controlled scenarios, the project will analyze how these factors interact to influence ICS, engagement, and communication effectiveness. Data from these experiments will be analyzed using structural equation modeling (SEM) to uncover causal relationships and refine the AICT framework.

A longitudinal survey conducted in three waves will provide a dynamic view of how adaptive communication systems evolve over time. By capturing temporal changes in ICS, engagement, and life satisfaction, this phase aims to validate the framework across different organizational settings and identify actionable pathways for improving communication strategies. The findings from these surveys will be critical in understanding how adaptive communication practices contribute to employee satisfaction and organizational resilience in hybrid work environments.

The project is guided by three central research questions. The first explores the mechanisms through which leadership communication, employee voice, informal communication, and attitudes toward DCT shape ICS in hybrid work settings. The second examines how adaptive communication systems influence engagement, disengagement, and life satisfaction, while the third focuses on validating the AICT framework to ensure its applicability across diverse organizational contexts.

Dissemination efforts will focus on publishing findings in high-impact academic journals, presenting results at international conferences, and developing a white paper with practical recommendations for practitioners. An international research conference will also be organized to foster dialogue among academics, professionals, and organizational leaders, maximizing the project’s impact.

The phases of the project and their realization

The Slovenian and Croatian teams will collaborate across all work packages, with specific responsibilities outlined for each team. In WP1, both teams will conduct a systematic literature review to identify theoretical gaps in the existing research on ICS, which will guide the development of research questions and hypotheses. They will also participate in focus groups and interviews with employees to gather insights into the key drivers of ICS. The Croatian team will oversee the management and execution of the review, while the Slovenian team will contribute to data analysis and the development of the initial theoretical framework. The results from this work package, including the systematic review and validated framework, will be published as a co-authored paper, contributing to academic literature. In WP2, the Croatian team will lead the coordination of three controlled experiments to examine the effects of leadership communication, employee voice, informal communication, and digital tool use on ICS and engagement. These experiments will test the relationships between these variables in specific workplace scenarios. The Croatian team will manage the design and execution, while the Slovenian team will assist with data analysis and interpretation. This phase will provide valuable insights into how communication practices affect ICS and engagement. In WP3, the Croatian team will participate in developing the questionnaires and scales for measuring ICS, engagement, and life satisfaction. Both teams will collaborate to ensure the validity and reliability of these instruments. The multiwave survey, conducted at multiple time points, will measure changes in ICS, engagement, and life satisfaction. The Slovenian team will oversee survey administration, while the Croatian team will assist in analyzing and interpreting the results. The findings will be published in co-authored papers, contributing to the understanding of adaptive communication systems. Finally, in WP4, both teams will collaborate to develop guidelines for best practices in internal communication, with a focus on practice-based innovations. These guidelines will provide recommendations for organizations seeking to optimize their internal communication strategies, especially in hybrid work environments. The guidelines will be based on findings from WP1, WP2, and WP3, ensuring they reflect the latest research and practical considerations. Both teams will contribute to publishing research papers, presenting at conferences, and developing a white paper summarizing the guidelines. An international research conference will be organized to disseminate the findings, engage academic and professional audiences, and maximize the project's impact. Through these efforts, the Croatian and Slovenian teams will play an integral role in both the academic and practical outputs of the project, ensuring that the research advances theory and informs real-world applications in internal communication.

Key words

communication cynicism, communication effectiveness, digital communication technologies, employee voice, engagement, informal communication, internal communication, internal communication satisfaction, leadership communication, life satisfaction