Research Reports
IABC Research Foundation Current Reports
IABC Research Foundation and Buck Consultants Employee Engagement Survey 
Sponsored by
IABC Research Foundation and Buck Consultants, an ACS company
Prepared by
Buck Consultants, an ACS company
Conducted to determine how organizations are communicating with employees to keep them engaged and productive, the survey includes responses from nearly 1,500 participants representing a broad industry and geographic base.
Preparing Messages for Information Overload Environments:
What business communicators should know about information overload and what they can do about it
Sponsored by IABC/Seattle, Chase and American Standard
Prepared by Martin J. Eppler, Ph.D., and Jeanne Mengis, Ph.D.
This report presents 16 real-life examples of how to reduce information overload in communication. It presents six simple principles (based on eight documented overload reduction strategies) to reduce information overload in business communication. The report also summarizes key insights from previous studies on the topic and translates them into action items. Business communicators can use this actionable advice to reduce and transform their messages in order to accommodate for the time and attention constraints of their readers.
Survey of Generational Communication Differences Around the Globe
Sponsored by Deloitte Consulting
Prepared by Mathew Greenwald & Associates Inc.
This study identifies trends in the way businesses communicate with diverse age groups in industrialized countries and emerging economies around the world. Research addresses how Gen Y and Boomers differ in their preferences for employer communication and engagement methods and their expectations of and satisfaction with employer communication in a range of specific areas. The report also addresses what changes Gen Y professionals feel are needed to improve engagement and teamwork.
The Human Element
Employee Communication in Small to Medium-sized Businesses
by Tamara Gillis, ABC, Ed.D.
Delve into the details of the first, in-depth study of employee communication in small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Discover how these firms apply communication theories and practices and measure the success of their internal communications. Small and medium-sized business owners, communication professionals and researchers will find this study insightful and motivating.
IABC Profile Study: Trends in Communication Profession Compensation (2008)
Editing and analysis by Tamara Gillis, Ed.D., ABC
Research prepared by ResearchWorks, Inc.
The Business of Truth - A Guide to Ethical Communication (2006)
Edited by Shannon Bowen, Ph.D
Sponsored by Hewlett-Packard & ROI Communications
This latest study from the IABC Research Foundation takes a look at one of the most talked-about issues in communication today: ethics. The researchers examine the frequency and type of ethics training communication practitioners receive, what they feel their role should be in terms of ethics, how their organizations measure up in terms of ethics, and how often they act as the conscience of the organization.
Best Practices in Employee Communication (2005)
Sponsored by & Conducted by Right Management Consultants
Find out what's working in employee communication today in this latest report from the IABC Research Foundation. Right Management Consultants share findings from their global study to explore best practices in meeting the top employee communication challenges of the 21st century. Learn about the four critical challenges faced by communicators worldwide and the variety of ways in which organizations tackle them.
Thinking Big, Staying Small (2005)
By Dixie Shipp Evatt, Ph.D., Crispin Ruiz and Jan F. Triplett, Ph.D
Sponsored by Hallmark
The study that focuses exclusively on the PR practices of small businesses, this groundbreaking IABC Research Foundation report finally addresses the communication and public relations functions of the majority of the world's businesses.
Communication Behavior of Virtual Workforces (2003)
By Krishna P. Kandath, Ph.D., John Oetzel, Ph.D., Everett M. Rogers, Ph.D., Ann M. Mayer-Guell, Ph.D.
This literature review and assessment was conducted by researchers with the University of New Mexico and explores how virtual workforces impact communication. This project examines what communication processes and methods best suit the virtual workforce.
Intangible Assets and Communication (2003)
By Hanno Roberts, Ph.D., Peggy Simcic Brønn, Ph.D., Karl Joachim Breunig,
Norwegian School of Management
Sponsored by Biz360
This study assesses the relationship between intangible assets - ideas, relationships, knowledge, people, networks, patents, common goals, goodwill - and communication. The final report offers analysis and a diagnostic tool on applying this knowledge to organizational communication.
Profile 2002: A Survey of IABC Membership
By L.C. Williams and Associates
Sponsored by Lawrence Ragan Communications
What Does the Future Hold? (2002)
Sponsored by & Conducted by Towers Perrin
This environmental study identifies business issues and trends influencing communication professionals and their organizations. The study identifies key trends, issues affecting our roles, and topics that are driving business decisions. It also captures information about organizations' typical staffing models, structures, top priorities and resources.
Communication Research Primer (2002)
By Joey Regan, Ph.D.,
Reagan Market Research
Sponsored by Deveney Communications
This is a primer on how to perform communication research and includes best practice examples, techniques, tools and analysis; practical, easy-to-follow models of research; and skill-related guidance on integrating research as a critical part of a communication project.
How Communication Drives Merger Success (2001)
By Patricia T. Whalen, Ph.D., APR
Sponsored by Johnston Smith International
Headed by researchers from Northwestern University in Illinois and based on a survey of corporate internal communication executives during 108 recent major mergers and acquisitions, this report examines the tactics and traits of successfully merged companies and includes diagnostic and training tools based on the findings.
Communication Competence and Business Success (2001)
By David Clutterbuck
Sponsored by Deloitte & Touche LLP
A two-year study that compares communication in successful and less successful organizations and explores the link between communication competence and business success.
Measuring Organizational Trust (2000)
By Pamela Shockley-Zalabak, Ph.D., Kathleen Ellis, Ph.D., Ruggero Cesaria
Sponsored by United Technologies
Developed from a database of 4,000 employees in eight countries, this report provides break-through findings on organizational trust, establishes an international indicator for levels of trust in an organization and includes a revolutionary survey measurement tool.
Excellence Study Book Series
The Excellence study, launched in 1986, sought to identify the key characteristics of excellent communication programs in organizations, and attributes of organizations that support such excellence. The research team, made up of top communication and public relations scholars and practitioners from Canada, the United Kingdom and the United States, combed prior research and theories from many disciplines to develop a comprehensive theory of excellence. What is excellent communication? What is the value of excellent communication to organizations? What kind of management support does excellent communication need?
The Excellence study resulted in a series of reports and books, some of which were published by Laurence Erlbaum Associates.
Excellent Public Relations and Effective Organizations: A Study of Communication Management in Three Countries (2002)
By James E. Grunig, Larissa A. Grunig, David M. Dozier
This book is the final product of the Excellence project. Going well beyond any of the previously published reports on the Excellence study, this book contains many new statistical analyses of the survey data and more details from the case studies.
Manager's Guide to Excellence in Public Relations and Communication Management (1995)
By David Dozier, Larissa A. Grunig and James E. Grunig
Book and audio tape offers useful information to professionals who currently manage for organizations.
Phase II Qualitative Study Initial Analysis, Interim Report: Cases of Excellence (1995)
By Larissa A. Grunig, David M. Dozier, James E. Grunig
Are based on in-depth interviews with more than 20 organizations, their CEOs, chief communicators and others. The results, along with two detailed case studies, provide practical advice you can incorporate immediately into your own communication.
Excellence Quick Diagnostics Kit (1993)
By James E. Grunig, David M. Dozier, William P. Ehling, Larissa A. Grunig, Fred C. Repper, Jon White
Enables communicators to assess their own communication skills in terms of "Excellence." The kit of short, self-scoring tests investigates communicators' roles and models, evaluates perceptions of communication excellence and provides tools to inventory individual and departmental skills.
Excellence in Public Relations and Communication Management (1992)
By James E. Grunig, David M. Dozier, William P. Ehling, Larissa A. Grunig, Fred C. Repper, Jon White
A landmark study designed to define excellent communication, its management structure and return on investment.
Interviewing for Excellence (1992)
By James E. Grunig, David M. Dozier, William P. Ehling, Larissa A. Grunig, Fred C. Repper, Jon White
Offers a practical quick review format based on key findings from the "Excellence" study. This job interview guide is designed to help communicators select excellent organizations to interview and work for, as well as to help employers in their search for employees who practice excellent communication.
Initial Data Report and Practical Guide (1991)
By James E. Grunig, David M. Dozier, William P. Ehling, Larissa A. Grunig, Fred C. Repper, Jon White
Gives communicators insight and lessons that can be applied to careers and organizations. Find out what CEOs want from communication departments, what practitioners give them, and why there are significant differences between the two.
Early FoundatiOn Research
The IABC Research Foundation was established in 1982 to support international research that would promote and advance the communication profession. Some of the research reports from these early days of the Foundation are listed below.
Key Elements of Effective Supervisor/Employee Communication (1999)
By Linda Williams, Ph.D., Qingwen Dong, Ph.D.
Sponsored by GCI Consulting
This report shows how effective supervisor/employee communication can deliver and sustain strong performance, employee job satisfaction, high levels of organizational commitment. Based on a comprehensive review of 200 supervisor/employee communication studies, this study identifies 21 key principles for effective supervisor/employee communication.
Communication Change: Ideas from Contemporary Research (1999)
By Nancy Welch and Mark Goldstein
Summarizes 29 articles and reports to help communicators become successful change leaders. This research tool highlights major communication concerns and research findings in a "Quickscan" section, and provides keys for easy reference.
IABC/Watson Wyatt Communication Practices Study (1999)
Conducted by the international consulting firm, Watson Wyatt, this survey looks at 914 organizations to identify a correlation between high-performing organizations and strong communication practices.
Beyond the Velvet Ghetto (1989)
Edited by Elizabeth Lance Toth, Ph.D., APR and Carolyn Garrett Cline, Ph.D.
This report examines changes since the original study in 1986. It also explores emerging issues on the feminization of the communication profession, such as ways of promoting PR programs to qualified men and socialization theories as they relate to women and minorities in business communication and public relations.
Corporate Doctrine Research Project, How Companies Handle the Communication Function (1987)
By Loyd S. Pettegrew, Ph.D. and Thomas A. Ruddell, ABC
This study shows that corporate doctrine and communication are closely tied to a company's general performance and this become increasingly important strategic and policy issues.
The Velvet Ghetto (1986)
By Carolyn Garret Cline, Ph.D., Elizabeth Lance Toth, Ph.D., Judy VanSlyke Turk, Ph.D., Lynne Masel Walters, Ph.D., Nancy Johnson, ABC, Hank Smith, ABC
A comprehensive survey of the effect of the increasing percentage of women in communication, reports on where women are succeeding, what holds them back and how they've changed the profession.
Employee Communication Effectiveness Survey (1984)
By IABC/Towers Perrin
Employees' opinions on what works and what doesn't in internal communication programs.
Literature Reviews (1984)
Annotated bibliographies review literature on:
Ethics and Candor in Public Relations and Organizational Communication;
Planning in Public Relations and Organizational Communication
By William J. Roach, APR
Evaluation and Measurement in Public Relations and Organizational Communication
By Carolyn Garrett Cline, Ph.D.
Where to Study Public Relations (1982, 1987, 1992)
A list of educational institutions where students could study public relations.
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(IABC members only)