Remote internal crisis communication (RICC) – role of internal communication in predicting employee engagement during remote work in a crisis

ABSTRACT Based on theories of relationship management and job demands and resources, this study offered a conceptual framework, the Remote Internal Crisis Communication (RICC) framework, and empirical data to examine the antecedents of employee engagement during remote work in a crisis. Based on an online survey with 304 employees who worked remotely during the Novel Coronavirus pandemic that began in 2019 (i.e., COVID-19), findings revealed that two-way communication and internal crisis communication content predicted employee engagement the most among all the predictors, which included two-way communication, internal crisis communication content and objectives, and new ways of working. The study also found that social connection mediated the relationship between new ways of working and employee engagement.