Ecology of internal communications: creating a healthy information environment in professional communication

Abstract

B a c k g r o u n d . The article analyzes the concept of "ecology of internal communications" in the modern corporate environment. The relevance of shifting from a mechanistic to an ecological approach in communication management is substantiated. The purpose of the article is to analyze the concept of "internal communication ecology", identify the key "pollutants" of professional interaction, and outline the principles for establishing a healthy and psychologically safe communicative environment within organizations.

M e t h o d s . The study was conducted using methods of theoretical generalization and analysis (to exemine existing concepts of "communication ecology" and organizational behavior), synthesis (to integrate ideas from different domains), induction and deduction methods (to identify "pollutants" and form principles of "communication hygiene"), as well as conceptual modeling to describe a healthy communication ecosystem.

R e s u l t s . The essence of key "pollutants" in professional communication, such as information overload, digital noise, and a low level of psychological safety, is revealed. Information overload is analyzed as a state where the volume of information received exceeds an individual's cognitive ability to process it. It was researched that this condition is exacerbated by pervasive digitalization and manifests through symptoms such as a constant feeling of "missing out," inability to concentrate due to notifications, and a general decline in decision-making quality. Digital noise is identified as a consequence of misaligned use of channels in communication practices. This occur when the chosen communication tool does not correspond to the nature of the task (e.g., convening a meeting for an issue that could be resolved by email, or discussing complex matters in rapid messaging chats), which leads to a wasted cognitive resources and organizational disarray. A low level of psychological safety is identified as the most dangerous "toxin" in the ecosystem. The article details that its absence suppresses innovation due to fear of failure, shifts communication into defensive mode, and transforms feedback into an attack. Furthermore, the study establishes the necessity of integrating military trust-building models as a foundation for the "detoxification" of the communication environment. It is analyzed that military concepts, such as "collective awareness," are essentially an analogue to civilian "psychological safety," though with a stronger orientation toward performance under extreme conditions. It is substantiated that this crisis-tested approach to building trust serves as the "ground zero" upon which flexible civilian practices of "communication hygiene" can then be effectively implemented.

C o n c l u s i o n s . Principles of "communication hygiene" aimed at creating a healthy, sustainable, and psychologically safe information environment in the organization are proposed.