Date

8-10-2026

ESRP 9000 Professor

Sandy Underhill, Ed.D.

ESRP 9001 Professor

Sandy Underhill, Ed.D.

Executive Summary

Strategic Research Project to Address Internal Communication Through Role-Specific Employee Training Programs: This mixed methods research used both quantitative tools, such as the Internal Factor Evaluation, External Factor Evaluation, and Quantitative Strategic Planning Matrix, and qualitative tools, such as a through literature review. This strategic research project was designed to address the internal communication problem found at Bloomin’ Brands, Inc. (BBI), a casual dining corporation operating with four restaurant concepts across more than 1,450 locations with around 81,000 employees. The problem was identified through a strengths-weaknesses-opportunities-threats analysis and supported by scholarly literature. BBI lacks a consistent and standardized internal communication platform. Field leaders and managing partners frequently do not know who to contact for guidance on policy information and compliance guidance, which results in misdirected inquires, inaccurate information, operational delays, and strategic execution gaps across the organization. Two possible solutions were researched: (a) implementing an internal communication system and (b) establishing clear point of contact. After evaluating both solutions, implementing an internal communication system was identified as the best fit solution to solve BBI’s internal communication problem. A Quantitative Strategic Planning Matrix was used to evaluate two strategies for implementing the selected solution. Role-specific training was selected as the best strategy to use when implementing an internal communication system. The matrix was used to determine the total attractiveness score of role-specific training, which earned a TAS of 3.14, making it the most supported by the organization’s internal and external factors. Finally, an action plan was developed to implement the selected solution and strategy across BBI’s 2026 fiscal year starting on October 1, 2026, and ending on September 30, 2027. The plan includes five goals, specific deadlines, roles and responsibilities, and resources needed to successfully carry out implementation. The findings of this project indicate that investing an internal communication system is essential to the success of an organization. The findings also suggest that using a role-specific training program to implement an internal communication system allows implementation to run smoothly.

Document Type

Strategic Research Project-NSU Access Only

Degree Name

Doctor of Education (EdD)

College

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education and the School of Criminal Justice

Concentration

Organizational Leadership

Language

English

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