This study applies insights from integrated communication research to address the research gap regarding the coordination of corporations’ financial communications across the Public Relations and Investor Relations functions. Findings are based on 14 expert interviews as well as a quantitative survey of 128 heads of investor relations departments as well as financial communication experts within the public relations department from the largest listed corporations in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. This study shows that the departments distinguish their roles and tasks mostly by audience group. Overall, the need for and frequency of coordination is perceived as high, however it remains largely informal and event-driven. We document a strong focus on content- and timing-related integration, while strategic integration is lacking. Findings show that higher levels of integration are associated with a better working atmosphere, a broader set of instruments for coordination, and more alignment in both objectives and evaluation. We highlight the benefits of more strategic coordination and integration by comparing distinct levels of integration.

本研究运用综合传播研究的见解来解决有关跨公共关系和投资者关系职能协调公司财务传播的研究差距。调查结果基于 14 位专家访谈以及对来自德国、奥地利和瑞士最大上市公司的 128 位投资者关系部门负责人以及公共关系部门财务传播专家的定量调查。这项研究表明，部门主要通过受众群体来区分他们的角色和任务。总体而言，协调的需求和频率被认为很高，但它仍然主要是非正式的和事件驱动的。我们非常关注与内容和时间相关的集成，而缺乏战略集成。调查结果表明，更高水平的整合与更好的工作氛围、更广泛的协调工具以及目标和评估的一致性有关。我们通过比较不同的集成级别来强调更具战略性的协调和集成的好处。