TRENDS AND DIRECTIONS IN STUDIES ON INTERNAL COMMUNICATION AND EMPLOYEE SATISFACTION IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR: A BIBLIOMETRIC ANALYSIS
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.29302/Pangeea25.45Keywords:
research trends, organisational communication, public sector, knowledge mappingAbstract
The purpose of this article is to identify and analyze emerging trends, research directions, and conceptual developments in the study of internal communication and employee satisfaction within the public sector. Using a bibliometric approach, the research examines scientific publications indexed in major international databases in order to map the evolution of the field, highlight influential authors, journals, and keywords, and identify thematic clusters that define current research agendas. The analysis provides insights into how internal communication is conceptualized in relation to organizational climate, motivation, employee engagement, and public sector performance. Results reveal increasing scholarly interest in communication effectiveness, digital communication tools, participatory management, and their impact on job satisfaction and administrative efficiency. The findings contribute to a deeper understanding of how the academic community approaches the intersection between communication practices and human resource outcomes, offering valuable guidance for future research and for improving communication strategies within public institutions.
References
1. Vigoda-Gadot, E., & Meiri, S. (2008). New public management values and person-organization fit: A socio-psychological approach and empirical examination among public sector personnel. Public Administration, 86(1), 111–131.
2. Kim, S., & Park, S. M. (2017). Determinants of job satisfaction and turnover intentions of public employees: Evidence from US federal agencies. International Review of Public Administration, 22(4), 353–378.
3. Men, L. R., & Stacks, D. (2014). The effects of authentic leadership on strategic internal communication and employee-organization relationships. Journal of Public Relations Research, 26(4), 301–324.
4. Karanges, E., Johnston, K., Beatson, A., & Lings, I. (2015). The influence of internal communication on employee engagement: A pilot study. Public Relations Review, 41(1), 129–131.
5. Mergel, I. (2019). Digital service teams in government. Government Information Quarterly, 36(4), 101389.
6. Moon, M. J. (2020). Fighting against COVID-19 with agility, transparency, and participation: Wicked policy problems and new governance challenges. Public Administration Review, 80(4), 651–656.
7. Santiago, J. (2020). The influence of internal communication satisfaction on employees’ organisational identification: The mediating effects of perceived organisational support and job sat isf act ion . Jour nal of Ec onomics & Manage ment , 4 2(4 ), 108 –133. https://doi.org/10.22367/jem.2020.42.06
8. Hussein, A. M. (2025). Employee satisfaction with internal communication in higher education institutions: A case study of public relations and security media at Al-Istiqlal University. Dibon Journal of Education, 2(1), 45–62.
9. Men, L. R. (2014). Strategic internal communication: Transformational leadership, communication channels, and employee satisfaction. Management Communication Quarterly, 28(2), 264–284. https://doi.org/10.1177/0893318914524536
10. Kulachai, W., Narkwatchara, P., & Siripool, P. (2018). Internal communication, employee participation, job satisfaction, and employee performance. In Proceedings of the 15th International Symposium on Management (INSYMA 2018) (pp. 62–67). Atlantis Press. https://doi.org/10.2991/insyma-18.2018.16
11. Nguyen, T. T. M., & Ha, V. D. (2023). The interplay between internal communication, employee engagement, job satisfaction and employee loyalty: Evidence from higher education sector in Vietnam. Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, 10, Article 136. https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-023-01641-6
12. Pirrotta, C., Ferrari, L., & Cantarelli, P. (2024). Communication and job satisfaction among healthcare professionals: Evidence from a large-scale survey in Italian public hospitals. Int erna tio nal Jo urnal of P ubl ic Sector Management, 37(3), 321–34 0. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJPSM-09-2023-0267
13. Men, L. R. (2014). Strategic internal communication: Transformational leadership, communication channels, and employee satisfaction. Management Communication Quarterly, 28(2), 264–284. https://doi.org/10.1177/0893318914524536
14. Špoljarić, A., & Tkalac Verčič, A. (2022). Internal communication satisfaction and employee engagement as determinants of the employer brand. Journal of Communication Management, 26(1), 1–17. https://doi.org/10.1108/JCOM-07-2021-0081
15. Sinčić Ćorić, D., & Pološki Vokić, N. (2020). Does good internal communication enhance life satisfaction? Evidence from Croatia. Corporate Communications: An International Journal, 25(4), 639–657. https://doi.org/10.1108/CCIJ-04-2020-0057
16. Hussein, A. M. (2025). Employee satisfaction with internal communication in higher education institutions: A case study of public relations and security media at Al-Istiqlal University. Dibon Journal of Education, 2(1), 45–62.
