Abstract
This research paper discusses the degree of institutionalization of communication as a strategic managerial function to explore the different scopes and status achieved across countries and organizational sectors. Empirical work was conducted in Lithuania, Spain and Argentina, chosen as pioneers and regional leaders towards institutionalization through the establishment of the first university-level communication studies, national and worldwide networks of communication researchers and practitioners. Purposeful convenience sampling also ensured data collection through 61 semi-structured interviews with communication experts, senior managers and scholars from these countries, and a pilot survey with 20 Lithuanian communication specialists. The results suggest that CEOs in Argentina (70.6%) and Spain (65%) are more aware of the communication value, 60% communication specialists hold executive/senior positions. All this is 10-15% lower in post-communist countries. For 90% Lithuanian respondents, the CEO’s full understanding of communication is the number 1 factor affecting the institutionalization of communication, followed by the evolution of their profession in the country, which influences the perception of the communication function. Strengthening their role and status is the 4th priority for communication professionals in Europe and Argentina. This requires further education to fill a widening gap of data competencies and management skills, expressed by 69% of Spanish communicators, 75-87% in the former communist bloc, and 45% of seasoned Argentinean communicators. The empowerment of communication specialists remains highly dependent on the communicative competence and willingness of CEOs, who also need ad hoc executive education, which is more widely available in Spain and Argentina than in Lithuania. AcknowledgmentThis paper was written under the Lithuanian Research Council and European Investment Funds grant No. 09.3.3-LMT-K-712, as part of the post-doctoral research project “Towards an assessment model for mission-based strategic communication excellence”.
Highlights
The ‘institutionalization challenge’ (Grunig, 2006) continues to be relevant for communication practitioners around the globe, whose deep concern still lies in proving the added value they bring to their organizations through their professional endeavors
The results suggest that CEOs in Argentina (70.6%) and Spain (65%) are more aware of the communication value, 60% communication specialists hold executive/senior positions
For 90% Lithuanian respondents, the CEO’s full understanding of communication is the number 1 factor affecting the institutionalization of communication, followed by the evolution of their profession in the country, which influences the perception of the communication function
Summary
The ‘institutionalization challenge’ (Grunig, 2006) continues to be relevant for communication practitioners around the globe, whose deep concern still lies in proving the added value they bring to their organizations through their professional endeavors. Communication management is unarguably a strategic function, though not addressed directly as a growing stand-alone discipline by scholarly research till recent times This in part demonstrates the increasing importance of the communication function and its contribution to organizational sustainability, reputation, talent retention, stakeholders’ engagement and societal approval. All this requires mutual cooperation of scholars and practitioners capable of revealing and proving the added value of communication at strategic level to more competent top managers, willing to expand their own competences
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