Employee communication as a lever for enablement: Insights from The State of the art of employee communication in Italy

This paper is part of a broader multi-method study investigating employee communication as a strategic business lever for employee enablement within the specific socioeconomic context of Italy. In particular, this paper examines the evolutionary path of employee communication as it transitions toward an authentic strategic role within organizations. It also analyzes the role of management in fostering an environment that enables employees to act as strategic communicators and addresses future challenges for employee communication. To explore these topics, the study leverages 16 interviews conducted in Italy in 2025 with consultants and experts in employee communication. Findings show that employee communication has shifted from an operational function to a real strategic lever for companies and that COVID-19 pandemic served as a catalyst for these changes, although some interviewees remain skeptical about the long-term sustainability of this new importance of employee communication. Findings also indicate that effective employee communication now demands a holistic approach, integrating responsibilities traditionally associated with human resources, information technology, and external communication functions. Additionally, findings show that employee communication serves as an antenna for organizational climate and a control room for employee experience. Key characteristics that enhance the strategic value of employee communication include the shift toward bidirectional dialogue, and the empowerment of employees as active communicators, specifically as ambassadors internally and externally. However, a "Cinderella" status remains, as the function often lacks formal authority and a relevant role in the company governance compared to HR or external communication functions. While the generalizability of these findings is limited by their specific geographic focus and potential social desirability bias, this study provides unique insights rooted in a specific cultural setting, allowing assessment of the specific configuration and evolutionary patterns of employee communication in Italy.