State of internal communication in Spain: a scoping review (2014-2024)

Abstract

Internal communication has been gaining increasing relevance in academia, boosting research output in the field. However, to date, no indexed journal articles have been identified that focus on characterizing studies conducted in Spain in this area. In this context, this study conducts a scoping review of academic research on internal communication in Spain within the field of social sciences over the past decade.

The primary objective is to identify and characterize the most relevant academic articles in this area. In addition, several secondary objectives guide the research, including analyzing authorship patterns and institutional affiliations, identifying the most frequently addressed topics, and examining the bibliographic references cited in the studies. Furthermore, this study aims to classify the types of articles, determine their objects of study, and identify the predominant research methodologies used. Another key focus is identifying practical and theoretical implications, as well as research limitations reported by scholars in this field.

To ensure a systematic and rigorous research process, the SALSA framework (Search, Appraisal, Synthesis, Analysis) was applied. Moreover, the key elements of the PRISMA for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) framework were followed to enhance transparency and replicability. The evidence base comprises twenty-five articles. These studies were retrieved from four major academic databases: Web of Science, Scopus, Dialnet, and Epsilon AI.

Moreover, the results show a high prevalence of co-authored articles and collaboration between universities. The analysis also indicates a clear trend toward studying internal communication in crisis contexts. Alongside crisis-related studies, there is also a strong presence of sector-specific analyses and case studies, particularly in industries such as healthcare and higher education. Beyond these dominant themes, the review identifies a growing interest in the relationship between internal communication, workplace well-being, and job satisfaction, as well as its connection to digitalization and its strategic role within organizations. Despite the wide range of topics explored, most studies exhibit a strong empirical orientation, although some literature reviews are also included in the sample. Qualitative methodologies predominate, surpassing both quantitative and mixed-method approaches. In terms of the object of study, research in this field focuses primarily on people, rather than on documents or digital communication platforms. Despite the notable increase in scholarly production on internal communication, several methodological limitations persist in the field. The most common issues include small sample sizes, self-selected or non-probabilistic sampling methods, and limited access to internal organizational data, which researchers often cite as a major obstacle. Finally, there is a paucity of practical implications and an absence of theoretical ones.

This study highlights the importance of continuing to study internal communication from a variety of perspectives. To advance the field, researchers should focus on broadening and strengthening methodological approaches, improving the representativeness of samples, and enhancing the applicability of research findings to real-world professional contexts. A more structured and systematic research agenda in this area would contribute to reinforcing theoretical frameworks, fostering academic cohesion, enhancing knowledge transfer, and increasing the practical impact of scholarly research. Addressing these challenges will allow internal communication research to evolve into a more influential and well-established academic discipline, making valuable contributions to both academia and professional practice