Strategic communication with employees in large European companies: a typology

The Europeanisation of large companies and introduction of European Works Councils have given rise to new concerns over the ways strategic information is communicated to employees of all types. Catherine Voynnet Fourboul and Frank Bournoisconte undertook research for over a year on this subject on a commission for the European Association for Personnel Management. Based on a study of six leading companies, the authors explore current communication policy and practices in Europe. Their results highlight the decisive rôle played by national culture in these communications processes. A typology of communications patterns is outlined, which includes attitudes between corporate headquarters and subsidiaries. This typology should prove useful to corporate executive teams wishing to reposition and rethink their communications strategies.