Integral Communication Framework

This chapter discusses the design challenges of the Integral Communication Framework (ICF) and describes a conceptual model of the ICF developed through Design Science Research (DSR) methodology. The ICF is an information system based on an integral digital identity that supports personalised communication. An integral digital identity consists of a uniform set of keywords or tags that can be evaluated in different ways and additionally enriched with metadata (e.g., location data). Integral tag is a specific type of hashtag that can be described by metadata, translated into multiple languages, and evaluated by users or tests. Integral identity is a set of digital records that describes social actors in all aspects of their personhood and promotes integral communication in digitally enabled interactions. Integral identity has past, present, and future dimensions described by preferences. Integral mapping involves the assignment, visualisation, and analysis of integral tags that facilitate integral communication. When used within the ICF, integral mapping enables automatic identification of compatible and complementary positions. The SWOT analysis of the ICF has identified social perceptibility as the key strength, sustainable and inclusive development as the key opportunities, addictive behaviour as the key weakness, and autocratic and unauthorised control as the key threats. Today’s society needs a communication framework that promotes sustainability, assertiveness and inclusion by providing equal access to opportunities and resources for social actors who would otherwise be excluded or marginalised.