Using a digital internal communication strategy for digital capability development

Official URL: https://dx.doi.org/10.1080/1553118X.2024.2330405

This study aims to illustrate the multidimensional perspective of digital internal communication defined and applied in the context of strategic communication, and how digital capability development and training are embedded. We use a conceptual approach to integrate literature from the fields of digital transformation, digital internal communication, and digital human resource capability development. The findings reveal that an organisational system’s technical (channels and platforms, and policy) and social (leadership, culture, and collaboration) digital elements are interrelated across all communication levels, contributing to digital capability development. Furthermore, digital trust is required for and enforced by effective learning in the digital space. This study proposes a holistic digital internal communication strategy focusing on developing digital human resource capabilities as a strategic training initiative in organisational settings to promote strategic communication. Hence, a strategic map for digital capability development and training offers senior leadership a practical and adaptable tool. It allows them to create their own organisation-specific digital human resource initiatives, contributing to organisational learning and trust-building as the bedrock of organisational sustainability and success.