The Role of Internal CEO Communication in a Digitalized Work Environment

Driven by digitalization internal CEO communication is changing. The number of communications instruments is increasing while communication itself has grown more complex. Therefore, we examine how communication between CEOs and employees presents itself today and in the future. Two theses were established: the first postulates that besides strategy, the communication of values gains importance. The second postulates that the funcition of CEO communication is to build trust (a) and that transparency thereby plays an important role (b). The theses and instruments were operationalized into a questionnaire.

It was sent to leading communication experts at the 120 largest companies in Switzerland. The results show that strategy and values are important today and will remain so in the future. The gaining of trust is a central function of CEO communication and, transparency will play a greater role in the future. The results revealed also surprising aspects, described in detail in the paper.