Organizational Policy Communication Research: Challenges, Discoveries, and Future Directions

Abstract

This article reports a review of empirical research on policy, organizations, and communication. Ninety-nine articles were coded in four emergent research themes that included constitutive topics: (1) framing, with process and perceptions; (2) identity management, with organizational identity and individual identity; (3) multiple stakeholder decision-making, with structure/process and voice/power; and (4) contradictions, with intrasystem and intersystem contradictions. The discussion offers implications for research and practice.

Keywords:

• Communication Research Methodology
• Organizational Communication
• Policy Communication

Notes

These were chosen over general academic databases, such as Academic Source Premier and Scopus, to enable division of labor among the research team. An initial search comparison by the lead author indicated that overlap between the databases used and general databases warranted the use of discipline-specific databases.

See www.heathercanary.wordpress.com for a version of this manuscript with a more detailed Methods section.

The remaining 28 articles reflected a “neutral” stance.

Asterisks (*) indicate references included in analysis.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Heather E. Canary

Heather E. Canary is Associate Professor in the Department of Communication at University of Utah.

Maria Blevins

Maria Blevins is Assistant Professor in the Department of Communication at Utah Valley University.

Shireen S. Ghorbani

Shireen S. Ghorbani is a doctoral candidate in the Department of Communication at University of Utah.