Strategizing in Turmoil: Unveiling Effective Internal Crisis Communication Practices amidst Contemporary Disruptions

Abstract

This study explores the theoretical development of literature on “internal crisis communication strategies” particularly during and post COVID-19 pandemic. The study underlines the importance of internal communication management, particularly during the crisis and post-crisis, as crisis affects internal communication initially and external communication subsequently. Also, the field of internal crisis communication has become more relevant post-pandemic. Through Scopus database analysis, literature review, and news analysis, it identifies that “crisis response” is an emerging area of research that highlights the importance of crisis response in the internal communication strategies for the managers and leaders. Some identified themes such as “employee communication behavior” and “employee engagement” and, some unhighlighted themes such as “digital transformation”, “employee welfare or safety”, “management of human capital at the digital workplace”, “Emotional Artificial Intelligence”, “corporate travel management” and “cyberthreats and cyber-attacks” amidst crisis are yet to be extensively explored more in future. There is also a significant need for regular conduct of corporate training sessions at the organizational level and professional courses to teach internal business communication at the collegiate level. Moreover, the existing literature on internal crisis communication still lacks rigorous research to highlight the strategic development of internal communication amidst crisis. There is a need for more debate over the types of internal communication tactics employed to foster employee engagement and trust in crisis.