The Role of Strategic Communication in Translating Labor Market Analytics into Workforce Policy

Obianuju O. Okosieme1, Obiamaka Okosieme2, Winfred Kwasi Amewonor-Etsey3, Deborah O. Oyeyemi4, & Kennedy Biriku5
1Department of Business Analytics and Information Management, Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics, University of Delaware, USA
2Department of Marketing Analysis, Kellstadt Graduate School of Business, DePaul University, United States
3Department of Business Analytics and Information Management, Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics, University of Delaware, USA
4Department of Business Analytics and Information Management, Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics, University of Delaware, USA
5 Department of Professional Communication and Leadership, College of Arts and Humanities Georgia Southern University, United States
DOI – http://doi.org/10.37502/IJSMR.2025.81104

Abstract

The rapid evolution of digital labor market analytics has created unprecedented opportunities to inform evidence-based workforce policies. Yet, despite advances in predictive modeling and data availability, a persistent disconnect remains between analytical insight generation and policy action. This study investigates how strategic communication serves as a critical mediator that translates complex labor market analytics into actionable policy frameworks. Using a qualitative interpretivist design anchored in systematic literature review and thematic synthesis, the research integrates perspectives from communication studies, policy analysis, and organizational behavior. Findings reveal that framing analytical outputs around policy targets rather than technical instruments significantly enhances policy receptivity. Knowledge brokers and intermediaries play vital roles in contextualizing insights, while organizational and institutional barriers continue to hinder translation. The study proposes a conceptual framework illustrating how communicative clarity, participatory engagement, and interdisciplinary expertise jointly foster evidence-informed policymaking. Policy implications emphasize the need for interdisciplinary capacity building, participatory dialogue, and ethical data governance. The paper concludes with directions for future research, including empirical validation of communication strategies, longitudinal evaluation of policy outcomes, and the development of standardized benchmarks for assessing communication effectiveness.

Keywords: Strategic Communication, Labor Market Analytics, Workforce Policy, Knowledge Translation, Evidence-Based Policymaking, Predictive Analytics

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