Transparent Communication and Employee Outcomes: The Mediating Role of Workplace Sense of Community in Enhancing Voice, Loyalty, and Positive Work Behaviors

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

10-2026

Publisher

SAGE

Source Publication

International Journal of Business Communication

Source ISSN

2329-4892

Original Item ID

DOI: 10.1177/23294884251349496

Abstract

As organizations navigate the evolving landscape of hybrid and geographically dispersed workplaces, effective internal communication becomes increasingly critical. This study explores the role of internal communication in building a sense of community and encouraging positive employee behaviors in the evolving work environment. Using data from a national survey of 700 full-time employees in the United States, the study examines the impact of transparent internal communication on voice behavior, loyalty, and positive work behavior. Furthermore, the structural equation modeling (SEM) reveals that a perceived sense of community mediates these relationships, underscoring its importance in shaping employee outcomes. The findings position transparent communication as a key organizational resource that cultivates community and enhances employee engagement. This study contributes to the internal communication literature by offering empirical evidence on the mechanisms through which communication cultivates a cohesive and proactive workforce in the context of hybrid and distributed work models.

Comments

International Journal of Business Communication, Vol. 63, No. 4 (October 2026): 1774-1084. DOI.

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