From commitment to communication: a roadmap for strategic communication of corporate digital responsibility

Open Access
Authors
Publication date 23 July 2026
Journal Journal of Communication Management
Volume | Issue number 30 | 5
Pages (from-to) 70-85
Organisations
  • Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences (FMG) - Amsterdam School of Communication Research (ASCoR)
Abstract
Purpose - This article introduces a theoretically grounded and practice-oriented roadmap to guide communication professionals in translating corporate digital responsibility (CDR) from organizational commitment into effective communication practice. It seeks to clarify CDR communication as a distinct communicative domain and to offer actionable guidance.
Design/methodology/approach - This conceptual article synthesizes interdisciplinary literature and develops a process-oriented framework. This strategic roadmap comprises four interrelated steps designed to guide communication professionals in their contribution to ethical and accountable digital governance.
Findings - The proposed roadmap consists of: (1) mapping and engaging stakeholders, (2) co-shaping ethical foundations, (3) framing and embedding CDR, and (4) monitoring, learning and adapting. Conceptually, these steps function as a heuristic for theorizing how CDR is communicatively constructed, contested and institutionalized. Thereby, the framework addresses the complexity, volatility and ambiguity of digital environments and also serves as a strategic roadmap for communication practitioners to anticipate reputational risks and legitimacy challenges, and to build trust among stakeholders. 
Originality/value - This approach positions CDR communication as a dynamic and participatory practice capable of navigating the ethical and regulatory challenges of a volatile digital age and engaging in responsible CDR communication. For communication researchers, this conceptual roadmap contributes to ongoing debates in communication management and provides a heuristic for future theory development and empirical research in the field.
Document type Article
Language English
Published at
https://doi.org/10.1108/JCOM-04-2026-0145 (Final published version)
Downloads
From commitment to communication (Final published version)
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