Organizational Identity and the Role of Communication in Building Trust

Authors

Jovan Milosavljević
University of Maribor, Faculty of Organizational Sciences
https://orcid.org/0009-0005-1391-7007
Iztok Podbregar
University of Maribor, Faculty of Organizational Sciences
Bojana Vasić
University of Maribor, Faculty of Organizational Sciences
Marina Dežman
University of Maribor, Faculty of Organizational Sciences
https://orcid.org/0009-0009-5250-7587

Synopsis

Modern organisations operate in an environment where the public expects transparency, clear values and responsible behaviour. These demands increase the pressure on organisations not only to shape their identity, but also to communicate it consistently. Problems arise when organizational identity and communication are not aligned and when there is a discrepancy between what the organization communicates and how it actually operates. These discrepancies can lead to a loss of trust, a negative public image, and weakened legitimacy. Therefore, understanding the link between identity, communication, and trust is crucial for organizations to function effectively in modern society. The purpose of the research was to present how an organization's identity shapes the way it operates and how communication creates, strengthens, or diminishes public trust. The goal was to analyze how consistent, transparent, and strategically focused communication supports an organization's credibility and to show why identity and communication are inextricably linked in building long-term trust. The study offers a comprehensive insight into key concepts and practical guidelines that can help organizations plan effective communication.

Author Biographies

Jovan Milosavljević, University of Maribor, Faculty of Organizational Sciences

Kranj, Slovenia. E-mail: jovan.milosavljevic@student.um.si

Iztok Podbregar, University of Maribor, Faculty of Organizational Sciences

Kranj, Slovenia. E-mail: iztok.podbregar@um.si

Bojana Vasić, University of Maribor, Faculty of Organizational Sciences

Kranj, Slovenia. E-mail: bojana.vasic1@um.si

Marina Dežman, University of Maribor, Faculty of Organizational Sciences

Kranj, Slovenia. E-mail: marina.dezman@um.si

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Published

March 17, 2026

License

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

How to Cite

Milosavljević, J., Podbregar, I., Vasić, B., & Dežman, M. (2026). Organizational Identity and the Role of Communication in Building Trust. In P. Šprajc, D. Maletič, N. Petrović, I. Iztok, A. Škraba, D. Tomić, & A. Žnidaršič Mohorič (Eds.), & (Ed.), 45th International Conference on Organizational Science Development: Organization and the Longevity Society, Conference Proceedings (Vols. 45., pp. 575-588). University of Maribor Press. https://doi.org/10.18690/um.fov.3.2026.43