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Public consultation and engagement in public services has become increasingly important to UK governments. This has taken on greater significance for the Labour government as it releases increased funding into the public services. This paper provides a case study in stakeholder involvement in the development of the vision, values and goals of a new National Health Service Mental Health Trust. It does so within the context of the relationship model of public relations and the deontological ethical tradition. The case demonstrates how active stakeholder involvement can help formulate an elective mission and organisational structure which determine management priorities and organisational behaviour. It argues that the ethical motivation for such involvement is driven by a strong sense of duty and community rather than organisational advantage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Public consultation and engagement in public services has become increasingly important to UK governments. This has taken on greater significance for the Labour government as it releases increased funding into the public services. This paper provides a case study in stakeholder involvement in the development of the vision, values and goals of a new National Health Service Mental Health Trust, it does so within the context of the relationship model of public relations and the deontological ethical tradition. The case demonstrates how active stakeholder involvement can help formulate an effective mission and organisational structure which determine management priorities and organisational behaviour. It argues that the ethical motivation for such involvement is driven by a strong sense of duty and community rather than organisational advantage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Internet has brought about change in the way that public relations is practised. Not only has it provided another channel of communication, but the communication dynamic itself has changed because of the Internet's unique combination of characteristics. Much public relations practice is still posited on dated theories of the system of communication along the linear lines of sender, channel, receiver (with feedback). The public relations professional is there to transmit a message with the purpose of persuading publics to the point of view being promulgated. There have been suggestions that a new model of communication is required in order to explain the Internet medium. This paper re-examines three of the older communication systems models to establish whether there are elements within them that can be helpful in explaining the dynamics of Internet-based communication. The authors use the three models, in turn, to examine this medium by focusing on the message sender, the channel itself and the user of the Internet. The conclusion is that together they can throw valuable light on Internet-based communication and that there are lessons to be drawn from these models that are useful for the contemporary public relations practitioner. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent research among the corporate communications and public affairs functions of a sample of major public corporations in the UK revealed that 95 per cent felt that issues were handled in a reactive and ad hoc manner. Examines a management and environmental study currently being conducted by Rhône-Poulenc Agriculture Ltd. Demonstrates how public relations have been employed to help determine the future of the company and illustrates the function in its strategic management role. Illustrates how business analysis and planning models are used to inform the issues management process to ensure it is planned and effective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article discusses on ethics in communication management. While most people accept that communication practitioners are there to present their side of the story for their organizations,the ethics of communication have rarely come under such scrutiny before. Indeed,the level of cynicism is such that in some parts of the world, ethical communication by organizations is regarded as an almost oxymoronic statement. At the time of going to press the controversy rages as to whether the British and American public were spun the truth over the danger posed by Iraq. In the business world too, there is increasing criticism of corporate communicators who attempt to justify actions by organizations that are clearly not in the public interest .Accusations of greenwashing and highly instrumental corporate social responsibility programmes abound and although those activities may rightly be regarded as organizational flaws rather than those of the communicator per se ,the professional communicator is deeply implicated as being either party to the organizational decision making or the defender of the indefensible. It is in this context, then, that is entirely appropriate to assert that public relations can,is and should be practiced in a thoroughly ethical manner.

This article focuses on the dynamic changes and challenges surrounding the communication business. There seem to be major advances in theory and practice in the field of communication management. It is exciting to be in an industry where there is healthy debate, disagreement and tension. This in itself is a clear indication that we are in a developing and dynamic discipline where there is room for different perspectives. Moving the industry on is the overall mission of the Institute of Public Relations in Great Britain. Just recently the Institute has rewritten its forward strategy. Drawing substantially on a UK government and Institute funded research project which assessed the state of the industry, its competitiveness and overall performance, the new strategy sets a roadmap for action over the next five years. Thus, it is also important to mention the work of the Global Alliance of Public Relations and Communication Management Associations. Last year the Alliance, which involves 60 associations from around the world, launched its first major initiative--the Global Ethics Protocol, which involves evaluation and management of communication strategies.

This section introduces the articles featured in the 2003 issue of the Journal of Communication Management.

In this editorial the author addresses the contention that many chief executive officers consider 2009 to be a crossroads in the manner of doing business. At issue is the perception that technological innovations, in concert with economic and societal conditions, are working to significantly alter the business landscape. A number of factors are cited for this development including the growing use of digital communications media, continued globalization and an increased measure of stakeholder involvement in management.

This article provides an editorial from "Journal of Communication Management" editor Anne Gregory. Gregory notes that the vast majority of public relations theory writing has a western orientation. To that extent, the "Journal of Communication Management" has appointed an Asian Regional Editor to encourage eastern communication professionals to submit their work to the journal.

The article comments on the impact of the rapidly developing global business on the communication and public relations industry. It describes how technological innovations affect the way information can be transmitted and its impact on business organizations. An overview of how the inner operations of business organizations are being made public through technology is presented. It explores the implications of cultural and educational framework on how global audiences respond to a Web site of a business organization.

Discusses the chartered status of public relations and communication management industry in Great Britain. Overview of the educational provision of the Chartered Institute of Public Relations; Fundamental nature of the industry; Significance of chartered status on the industry.