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Research & Trends

The data behind the decisions. Research reports, surveys and trend analysis produced and commissioned by IoIC, including the IC Index and other major studies.

Displaying 15 of 24 results

IC Index 2025

Now in its third year, the IC Index — created by IoIC in partnership with Ipsos Karian & Box — is the UK’s most in-depth look at how employees experience internal communication. Drawing on the views of nearly 5,000 UK workers, the 2025 findings deliver a clear message: people are tired of distant leadership and vague, impersonal messaging. They want real conversations. They want to feel seen, heard and understood.

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Two colleagues stand facing each other in conversation in a softly lit office setting, seen through glass with warm reflections and blurred lights
17 Mar 2026

The IOIC Monthly Trends Report: March 2026

This month’s report explores emerging trends shaping work and organisations, from the disappearing graduate on ramp and the rise of ‘greenhushing’ to the widening green skills gap, polymorphic organisations, the ‘friction maxxing’ pushback against AI, and the silent productivity crisis driven by financial anxiety in the workforce.

Silhouette of a head in profile formed from fragmented digital screens and data panels, symbolising AI, technology and evolving communication trends
16 Feb 2026

The IOIC Monthly Trends Report: February 2026

This month's report explores the impact of emerging trends, including the challenges of entering what Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei calls 'the adolescence of technology', the dangerous gap between flawed climate-economic models and reality, the rise of workplace lexicon signalling fundamental shifts in employee expectations (from 'shift sulking' to 'office frogging'), the fragmentation of trust precisely when we need connection most, as well as why organisations may need to move beyond performative DEI to systemic fairness frameworks.

 

Two colleagues stand facing each other in conversation in a softly lit office setting, seen through glass with warm reflections and blurred lights
17 Mar 2026

The IOIC Monthly Trends Report: March 2026

This month’s report explores emerging trends shaping work and organisations, from the disappearing graduate on ramp and the rise of ‘greenhushing’ to the widening green skills gap, polymorphic organisations, the ‘friction maxxing’ pushback against AI, and the silent productivity crisis driven by financial anxiety in the workforce.

Research & Trends
Silhouette of a head in profile formed from fragmented digital screens and data panels, symbolising AI, technology and evolving communication trends
16 Feb 2026

The IOIC Monthly Trends Report: February 2026

This month's report explores the impact of emerging trends, including the challenges of entering what Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei calls 'the adolescence of technology', the dangerous gap between flawed climate-economic models and reality, the rise of workplace lexicon signalling fundamental shifts in employee expectations (from 'shift sulking' to 'office frogging'), the fragmentation of trust precisely when we need connection most, as well as why organisations may need to move beyond performative DEI to systemic fairness frameworks.

Research & Trends
A diverse group of professionals standing together, looking ahead through the glass exterior of a modern office building
20 Jan 2026

The IOIC Monthly Trends Report: January 2026

Our first IC Trends Report of 2026 is now available for download, providing the latest actionable intelligence across technology, sustainability, employment and people trends.

This month's report explores the impact of emerging trends, including the transition from AI adoption to AI fluency across organisations, the decoupling of economic growth from carbon emissions, the rise of ‘microshifting’ and non-linear work patterns, the growing importance of 'emotional salary' over traditional pay increases, as well as why organisations need to prioritise ‘quiet thriving’ over performative productivity.

As always, January’s trend roundup highlights opportunity for internal communicators in rapidly evolving work landscapes.

Research & Trends
Abstract blue digital human face formed from pixels, partially dissolving into floating particles against a dark background.
15 Dec 2025

The IOIC Monthly Trends Report: December 2025

December’s IC Trends Report is now available for download, providing the latest actionable intelligence across technology, sustainability, employment and people trends.

This month’s report explores the impact of emerging trends and shifts, including the burgeoning challenge of managing artificial colleagues, the strategic shift to quieter corporate activism, how AI won’t protect colleagues from poor leadership (but EI will), and the implications of ‘mankeeping’ spilling into the workplace, and more.

In addition, our last trend roundup for 2025 highlights opportunity for internal communicators in rapidly evolving work landscapes.

Research & Trends
Employment quarterly trends roundup
15 Sep 2025

Employment news roundup September 2025 issue

In this update, we share key emerging employment trends: 'quiet cracking' replaces 'quiet quitting’ while companies start ‘quiet cutting’; freelancing is going mainstream; culture is trumping policy for RTO success; workplace fun is helping to drive performance; and consumer boycotts are increasingly impacting talent retention. All of these workplace shifts and undercurrents are reshaping how organisations need to engage with colleagues.

Research & Trends
Sustainability quarterly trends roundup
11 Aug 2025

Latest Sustainability Insights: Businesses Face Hidden Dangers as Climate Risks Go Unpriced

Despite some countries rowing back on sustainability and emission targets, global climate anxiety remains rife. This impacts the capacity of people to work well and undermines organisational performance. More acutely, climate activism is on the rise and no brand is exempt from increased scrutiny.

Keeping colleagues informed of sustainability goals, initiatives and progress presents a key opportunity for internal communicators. In this way, workplace activism can be harnessed for accelerated climate progress and business transformation.

Our quarterly sustainability trends roundups help internal communication professionals stay informed and think more expansively about ways to deliver strategic value.

Research & Trends
AI technology quarterly trends roundup
11 Jul 2025

Latest AI Insights: Digital Workplaces on a Knife Edge as Trust and Human Connection Erode

Workplaces are increasingly digital, data-driven and metrics-oriented. The pace of change is breathtaking and it’s an uphill struggle to find the time to make space for human connection, relationship, development and growth. Trust at work has never been more on a knife edge.

As engagement wanes, organisational performance and effectiveness are at risk. Against this backdrop, the work of internal communication to explore the human implications of digital disruption has never been more important. Our quarterly technology updates help internal communication professionals stay informed and think more expansively about ways they can deliver strategic value.

Research & Trends
Employment quarterly trends roundup
27 Jun 2025

Employment Q2 2025 quarterly news roundup

Post-pandemic, the global economy remains in turmoil. War, escalating geopolitical tensions, extreme weather events, supply chain shortages, rising inequality, shifting attitudes towards work and capitalism and more are reshaping the labour market.

While hard to discern in the moment, these shifts and undercurrents nonetheless have a profound impact on how organisations hire and engage with people at work. Internal communicators have a pivotal role to play in maintaining community and cohesion across increasingly diverse and transient workforces. Our quarterly employment updates help internal communication professionals stay informed and think more expansively about ways they can deliver strategic value.

Research & Trends
Future of IC Profession Survey
06 Jun 2025

Future of IC Profession Survey Report

In March 2025, IoIC surveyed more than 300 internal communicators to learn how they felt about the current state and future direction of their profession. Respondents represented a range of management levels and years spent working in the profession.

Research & Trends
Members only
People quarterly trends roundup
30 May 2025

People Q2 2025 quarterly news roundup

As global stability deteriorates, anxiety is on the rise. Internal communicators must assimilate the wants, needs and expectations of increasingly diverse internal stakeholders. Only then can organisations harness the full potential of colleagues across the age spectrum, who are pushing back on top-down, centralised, and increasingly outdated, command and control management archetypes.

In this mercurial new landscape, internal communication is a meta-skill that increasingly underpins organisational success. Our quarterly people updates help internal communication professionals stay informed and think more expansively about ways they can deliver strategic value.

Research & Trends
Members only
AI technology quarterly trends roundup
17 Apr 2025

AI ethics Q2 2025 quarterly news roundup

Workplaces are increasingly digital, data-driven and metrics-oriented. The pace of change is breathtaking and it’s an uphill struggle to find the time to make space for human connection, relationship, development and growth. Trust at work has never been more on a knife edge.

As engagement wanes, organisational performance and effectiveness are at risk. Against this backdrop, the work of internal communication to explore the human implications of digital disruption has never been more important. Our quarterly technology updates help internal communication professionals stay informed and think more expansively about ways they can deliver strategic value.

Research & Trends
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