Written corporate communication policy: Extent, coverage, costs and benefits

This article answers pertinent questions about the use of corporate communication policies, based upon evaluation of written policies and in-depth interviews with corporate representatives. Few firms have easily accessible written policies on communication and few follow a systematic approach to this crucial communication activity. Firms that engage in systematic communication planning, auditing, and policy-making will foster excellence and enjoy a competitive advantage. PRELIMINARY RESEARCH SUGGESTS THAT AS ORGANIZATIONS increase in size, diversity, and complexity, the need for written policy on communi-cation may be increasing accordingly. To support a systems approach to management, a systems approach to communication would seem necessary. To ensure that a firm’s communications support its mission and goals and to prevent dysfunction, the firm might logically set policy and systemati-cally plan and coordinate external communications, employee communi-cations, and routine internal communications. What kinds of dysfunctions might communication policy alleviate