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The controversy surrounding ChatGPT has reopened the debate about the impact of new technologies in many fields of activities, including communication and PR. This study mapped Romanian PR practitioners' use of generative AI and their perception of it, placing a special focus on the ethical concerns involved and the implications for the profession itself. We took a quantitative-qualitative approach by using both a survey and semi-structured interviews. Our goal was to determine the impact of generative artificial intelligence (AI) in the Romanian PR industry and to understand the reasons and challenges behind integrating generative AI in PR practice. The survey findings revealed a substantial adoption (73.5%) of AI within the Romanian PR community, with an overwhelming 91.6% of them using ChatGPT. The satisfaction level was remarkably high, with 92% expressing satisfaction with generative AI application efficacy. Benefits included timesaving, work simplification, and the reduction of repetitive tasks. Surprisingly, not only did 67.3% of respondents not perceive AI as an immediate threat to PR jobs, but 80.5% believed AI represents an opportunity for the industry. Indeed, almost all our interviewees admitted relief and satisfaction when using generative AI tools to complete their tasks. However, some concerns were expressed regarding the quality of the generative AI content and, in particular, the need to always check this kind of content by a human editor before using it. Moreover, PR professionals' main ethical concerns are related to the issue of transparency towards their clients when using AI tools to produce different types of content. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

These days, it is common to see celebrities advocating various controversial, socio-political issues On digital platforms. However, existing research does not demonstrate how the public perceives this activist approach of celebrities and how it influences their brand image. Drawing a parallel from brand activism literature and its effect on consumer behavior, the current study examines the impact of celebrity activism on celebrities' brand value. The findings support that perception of authenticity and hypocrisy affect attitude towards the celebrity and celebrity brand self-connection, which influences celebrity brand loyalty, identification, and intention to purchase the brands endorsed by the celebrity. A negative attitude towards celebrity activism negatively moderates the effect of celebrity brand self-connection on celebrity brand identification. The study contributes to the literature on celebrity branding and celebrity activism. The findings can help celebrity brand managers and PR professionals to understand the strategic implications of celebrity activism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Personal influence is one of the most powerful strategies to influence publics' behaviours. Yet, there is scant attention on how personal influence is leveraged for different public relations purposes in different cultural contexts. This study empirically investigates the presence and use of personal influence among Italian public relations professionals. Design/methodology/approach: A survey was conducted through a self-administrated, web-based questionnaire and was developed from earlier studies investigating personal influence in public relations literature. Survey participants included public relations professionals across public, non-profit and private sectors. Findings: The findings empirically show the presence and regular use of personal influence by professionals from all sectors to cultivate interpersonal relationships. Personal influence is considered a personal resource and used to leverage own influencing power. The findings also document four major manifestations of personal influence, which were named: relational closeness strategy, engagement strategy, expertise strategy and added value strategy. Practical implications: This study enhances our understanding of personal influence in a specific cultural context and offers strategic insights for international professionals seeking to leverage influence in the socio-political environment of Italy. It also offers elements to improve public relations education and training. Originality/value: The study offers some preliminary understandings of how Italian professionals leverage their personal influence in their daily public relations activities contributing with empirical evidence to the body of knowledge in public relations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study holds substantial significance as it represents a pioneering continent-wide empirical endeavor to comprehend the extent to which public relations (PR) professionals value and engage with Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) technologies and the consequential impact they exert on the praxis of the profession in Africa. The study assumes a qualitative approach with data collected from in-house and agency PR professionals across the major economic blocks in Africa. Beyond unearthing the benefits and threats, we also found practical, socio-cultural, and ethical implications of the influx of GenAI technologies, based upon which we proffered valuable recommendations for both practice and scholarly pursuits. We make a central argument that even though there is a high adoption and usage of GenAIs among PR professionals in Africa, there are currently no ethical policies guiding its usage, and this threatens the professions' quest to be transparent and accountable to their clients and publics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Fake news stories have become a central element of crises that corporate public relations practitioners have confronted. Whether such stories are rumors, outright lies or deliberate attempts to discredit corporations, they have the same impact and require specific strategies for public relations practitioners to effectively respond. The purpose of this study is to uncover strategies to manage crises that arise from fake news and if and how these strategies differ for other corporate crises. Design/methodology/approach: In this multi-method study of 21 in-depth interviews and a 8-person focus group with senior-level corporate public relations practitioners, authors explored decision-making strategies for responding to fake news crises. Transcripts of interviews and the focus group were thematically analyzed. Findings: Results reveal insights regarding how public relations practitioners determine if and when to respond to fake news crises in corporations; what response strategies public relations practitioners have the autonomy to employ for fake news crises in corporations, and how public relations practitioners control media narratives during fake news crises in corporations. Practical implications: The findings guide public relations practitioners to craft an autonomous decision-making process and effective online listening strategies—establishing a watchful waiting approach—and determine if the fake news issue is a passing moment or movement swirling into a crisis. Originality/value: Few studies have examined the perspectives of crisis communication experts about minimizing and managing fake news crises. The study identifies opportunities for future research focused on crises originating from fake news and disinformation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the importance of relationship building in public relations and corporate communications. It emphasizes the need for organizations to actively engage with stakeholders and build collaborative relationships to create value for both parties. The article also explores the shift from transactional relationships to relationship-oriented approaches in marketing. It highlights the emergence of corporate social advocacy as a strategy in corporate communications and the challenges it poses in terms of stakeholder engagement. The article concludes by addressing the role of communication in the digital age, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on communication strategies, and the ongoing influence of mainstream media in shaping public opinion. Overall, the article emphasizes the significance of relationship building and the need for organizations to consider stakeholder behavior in their communication efforts. [Extracted from the article]

Copyright of Cuadernos.info is the property of Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile, Facultad de Comunicaciones and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Marketing Science & Inspirations is the property of Comenius University in Bratislava, Faculty of Management and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This article provides an overview of leadership in public relations and corporate communications. It explores different definitions of leadership and emphasizes that it can take various forms, including traits, abilities, skills, behaviors, relationships, and influence processes. The research specifically focuses on women's leadership styles and how early experiences and socialization impact their perceptions of leadership. The article also examines different types of leadership, such as relationship-oriented and transformational leadership, and their effects on employee satisfaction and trust. Additionally, it discusses the role of adaptive leadership, empathy, and communication transparency in crisis management, as well as the significance of social media in this context. The journal issue covers a range of topics related to public relations and corporate communications, including crowdsourcing in journalism, the effectiveness of spokespersons in crisis communication, sincerity and credibility in crisis communication strategies, media portrayal of crises, the impact of corporate social responsibility on customer engagement, and public relations professionals' perspectives on moral entrepreneurship. The issue underscores the importance of listening to the public, building relationships, and aligning organizational values with public values. It also raises questions about the use of relationship leadership and the behavioral approach in research on public relations and corporate communications. [Extracted from the article]

Purpose: The COVID-19 pandemic has generated a significant impact on several aspects of public relations practice. By adopting the theoretical framework of adaptive leadership, this research is designed to explore how an organization's top leadership can support related adaptive action in strategic communication. Particularly, we hope to explore whether the application of adaptive leadership could facilitate a higher level of communication transparency as well as deliver a sense of caring and empathy in COVID-19 communication. Design/methodology/approach: An international online survey was designed and conducted for this study. The first sample consists of 776 full-time communication professionals in the United States of America with 435 women (56.1%) and 341 men (43.9%). The second sample consists of 268 full-time communication professionals in Canada, with 110 women (41.0%) and 158 men (59.0%). The two samples were merged into the final sample of 1,044 for the data analysis. Findings: Results confirmed that the perceived impact of the COVID-19 pandemic increased communication professionals' challenges in building trust. It also drives adaptive changes in their coping actions in strategic communication. More importantly, the top leadership within the organization played a key role in this adaptive leadership environment by demonstrating commitment to transparency in COVID-19 communication and delivering a sense of empathy during the pandemic. Originality/value: This study contributes to our understanding of strategic communication in times of crisis, such as the COVID-19 global pandemic, by focusing on the adaptive nature of communication leadership. More importantly, our study confirms the important roles of two leadership attributes (i.e. the sense of empathy and the commitment to communication transparency) in supporting adaptive leadership, which eventually influences trust building. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to examine US public relations professionals' perceptions of the benefits and challenges associated with the concept of moral entrepreneurship, defined as the purposeful process of changing or creating new institutionalized ethical norms. This study argues that the concept of moral entrepreneurship provides organizations with a potentially valuable framework to actively recognize societal pressures and problems and act accordingly to better the environment in which the organization resides and operates. Design/methodology/approach: This exploratory study uses purposive in-depth interviews with 25 diverse public relations professionals, who represented communication firms, in-house public relations departments, higher education, nonprofits and government. Findings: Respondents assigned a high value to the concept of moral entrepreneurship: In addition to its being viewed as the right thing to do, they recognized its practice as a way to help organizations recruit and retain employee talent and improve stakeholder trust. However, based on the interviews, organizational leadership is the primary initiator of ethical changes; therefore, without a seat at the management table, practitioners lack the influence to initiate such new organizational directions and take on the role of moral entrepreneurs only when directed to do so by their superiors. Barriers to adopting a moral entrepreneurship approach included a limited budget and shortage of staff, employees' resistance to change, fear of failure, poor leadership and a politically polarized workplace. Practical implications: Practice implications include considerations for furthering moral entrepreneurship in organizations. Originality/value: This study is the first to explore the applicability of the concept of moral entrepreneurship in public relations. The paper underscores the need for further discussion around novel approaches to ethics in public relations that go beyond simple compliance with professional codes and industry standards and that help organizations lead societal change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the significant role of online consumer reviews in e-commerce and the economy, highlighting how authentic reviews contribute to trust and value creation. It also addresses the issue of fake reviews, which undermine trust, increase costs, and lower consumer surplus. The research presented in the article examines various aspects of online reviews, including the prevalence of fake reviews, consumer behavior in reviewing sellers' offerings, and the role of trust in advertising effectiveness. Additionally, the article explores the potential of virtual communities in facilitating cross-border e-commerce and the use of prediction markets to enhance forecasting accuracy through human-machine hybrid systems. [Extracted from the article]

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to provide rich, qualitative insights around internal communication in strategic communication agencies, addressing the evolutions in expectations and best practices for agency leadership through COVID-19. Design/methodology/approach: Qualitative interview study with 18 US-based leaders of public relations and advertising agencies to examine their experiences of leading and managing strategic communication teams during COVID-19. Findings: Synthesized findings around changes in leadership values and important facets of ongoing internal crisis communication led to the development of the following five categories—Improvisation and Flexibility, Transparency and Trust, Ownership and Embodiment, Care and Empathy, Relationships and Resilience. Originality/value: Using a high-value sample, the study is the first (to the best of the authors' knowledge) to focus on the crucial context of agencies and internal communication around COVID-19; diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI); and other pandemic-era challenges. It provides theoretical implications around ongoing, internal crisis communication and practical implications for agency leaders in crisis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The research examines the perspectives of Ghanaian public relations and marketing professionals on the relationship between respective professions. Several academic studies were conducted in the 1980s and 1990s to address the apparent friction or turf war between public relations and marketing. The discussion centered on whether public relations should be treated as a separate function or if it should serve as a supplement to marketing. Data was collected from 171 marketing and public relations professionals using the quantitative method. Overall, the findings suggest that despite their cooperation, there is still tension or disagreement between the two professions. The result means that the two functions are likely to have challenges cooperating with each other to achieve organisational objectives, especially, in situations where one is given a higher status than the other in the organisation. Theoretically, more studies need to be conducted from an African viewpoint, including how content marketing is shaping the relationship between the two. The study suggests that more research be done on the subject, particularly from a management standpoint. We believe that the level of cooperation and attitude toward the two professions will be shaped by management's comprehension of them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This moral psychology study surveys the College of Fellows of the Public Relations Society of America to examine morally relevant features and motivations. Using the Moral Foundations Theory assessment in conjunction with other moral psychology measures, the results (n = 59) affirm the exemplar status of Fellows, reflected in Global Character Strengths, personality traits and ethical ideology. Fellows reject relativism and rate Honesty and Fairness among their top Character Strengths, reflecting key ethical norms for public relations practice. Results also document links regarding empathy, justice and harm, reflecting the moral intuitionist orientations found to be common among populations in Western developed countries. Overall, the emerging moral psychology profile of PR exemplars embodies the spirit and core meta-ethical elements of both an ethic of care and neo-Aristotelian virtue ethics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The marketplace of ideas metaphor has long influenced how scholars and practitioners understand public relations' role in U.S. discourse and democratic society, yet it is rarely questioned. We argue that the unacknowledged aspirations and Western, capitalist values embedded in the marketplace of ideas could cloud understandings of public relations in society and absolve practitioners of certain consequences of the discourses they put forth due to the function of the invisible hand symbolism operating within it. This work draws mostly from rhetorical and marketplace theory in public relations, including fully functioning society, to present five central limitations of the marketplace metaphor. A case example of U.S. discourse about trans women in sports showcases the shortcomings of the marketplace metaphor in practice. We introduce the bazaar and other compatible metaphors to inspire alternative, figurative thinking about societal communication and address some of the limitations we present, though we also ask questions about the marketplace of ideas to improve its fit with contemporary public relations. This essay offers theoretical and practical contributions by extending metaphors to explain practitioner responsibility in societal discourse and outline the importance of suiting metaphors to particular public relations contexts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A school district’s need to satisfy the school community’s expectations for current, accurate information and manage a social media presence has increased the necessity for superintendents to employ public relations professionals. As such, these professionals are a recent addition to many school districts’ administrative teams. However, few research studies were located that focused on public relations professionals or communication directors in public schools. The purpose of this literature review was to identify empirical studies and professional association resources that provided historical, contextual, and relevant information about communication directors in school districts. Based on the findings, we uncovered three themes related to the history, roles and responsibilities, and standards for public relations professionals. Such information can help practitioners support communication functions and help researchers identify needed lines of inquiry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the importance of inclusivity and innovation in corporate communication. It highlights the benefits of equal societies and inclusive workplaces, such as enhanced problem-solving, decision-making, employee engagement, productivity, and organizational reputation. The article also addresses issues of gender and race inequality in public relations, advertising, and media industries. It emphasizes the journal's commitment to publishing equality scholarship and widening participation in corporate communication research. Additionally, the article explores unconventional topics such as overconsumption, informality in strategic communication, and the role of journalists in internal communication. The journal aims to foster scholarly innovation and inclusivity in the field. [Extracted from the article]

Background & Statement of the problem: The presence of a public relations department within sports institutions with a high level of efficiency helps them achieve their goals and makes them the main spokesperson. However, the majority of our institutions, do not value this aspect, and the public relations at these institutions often takes other forms in which other departments carry out their duties and tasks, as in the case of Ministry of Youth and Sports. Objectives: This paper aims to identify the level of media and communication skills possessed by public relations (PR) employees in the Jordanian Ministry of Youth, and the impact of educational qualifications and years of experience on these skills. Methods: The study adopted the descriptive method of survey, then a questionnaire was distributed to a sample of (51) public relations agent. Then, a tool which amounted to (25) items was designed and distributed based on two variables (media skills, communication skills). Results: The result of the study showed that the possession level of media and communication skills by public relations workers’ point of view, with arithmetic mean (2.33). The result showed no statistically significance difference (α≤0.05) attributed to all variables of study (educational qualifications and years of experience). Conclusions (Recommendations and contributions): In light of the results, some recommendations were made: Increasing the interest of Ministry of Youth in preparing written media plans and special budgets for developing the communication and media skills of public relations employees including brochures, bulletins, magazines, receiving delegations, and organizing festivals, events, and conferences. As well as increasing interest in creating or issuing a system that clarifies the duties and responsibilities of the team of public relations and media that keep pace with administrative trends. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This qualitative study explored how 54 U.S.-based public relations practitioners engaged in ethical listening. Findings of the study suggest that public relations professionals engage in ethical listening by drawing upon deontological concepts of dignity and respect, implementing care-centered concepts of empathy and inherent connection to others, modeling inclusivity and attentiveness to diverse perspectives, practicing accountability to ethical listening, and remaining humble. Models depicting organizational listening should consider inclusion of ethical values. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work aims to investigate the approaches to inclusion and accessibility in the Public Relations undergraduate programs offered by Brazilian public universities, filling a perceived gap in the literature in the area of communication and in studies on inclusive education in higher education, whose focus is generally on teacher training through undergraduate courses. Assuming that people do not have disabilities, but rather limited by the society through the many barriers imposed, which frequently prevent them the exercise of their full rights as citizens. In this context, we verified that, although representing 8,4% of the total Brazilian population aged 2 and older, people with disabilities occupy only 2% of the positions in large companies and only 0,4% of the spots in undergraduate programs in the country. To change this reality, consistent investments in education and training are needed, including in higher education. Thus, we have reflected on the academic evolution of the public relations professionals, considering that they are responsible for mediating between the organisations and their audiences, with their actions impacting the consolidation of a inclusive culture in the public, private and third-sector organisations. Taking as an initial motivation our own experiences as researchers, professors and students in a public university in the Northeast region of Brazil, the methodology applied to conduct this research includes a qualitative approach. Regarding technical procedures, we carried out a documental and literary review, using as our object the National Curricular Guidelines and the Political Pedagogical Projects of 13 undergraduate courses with active status on the Brazilian Ministry of Education portal, all of which are taught in person, across the five regions of the country: North, Northeast, Southeast, South and Midwest. The analysis of the data revealed a transition moment, in which all the universities are making adjustments to include university extension activities in the curriculum of their undergraduate courses. We have therefore classified four levels of approach to inclusion: a) political-institutional, restricted to standardization through official policies and documents; b) political-assistance, whose focus is on the direct assistance to students with disabilities, and enabled by to the creation and work of Accessibility Centers and Inclusion Committees in Higher Education Institutions (HEIs); c) didactic-methodological, which comprises the development and application of methodologies and/or assistive technologies in the classroom; d) scientific-experimental, concerns the role of HEIs in spreading knowledge and developing assistive technologies for people with disabilities. The results of the research revealed that the promotion of inclusive education as depends on various actors and situations, and the dynamic and complex articulation between the state, civil society and the HEIs, including the collaboration in the creation of national policies for special education in higher education. On the other hand, the existence of an inclusive discourse in educational career projects, through references to public policies on specialized education and inclusion centers, cannot be interpreted as a result of the effectiveness of inclusive education policies in Brazilian higher education institutions. studied. The data shows that the speeches do not necessarily translate into changes in the school curriculum with the introduction of subjects on accessibility and inclusion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work explores the role of public relations in managing public controversies within a municipality in Peru during the COVID-19 pandemic (2020-2021). The study employs a mixed-method approach, incorporating both qualitative and quantitative data to analyse the effectiveness and shortcomings of the municipality's public relations efforts during this period. The research is grounded in established models of public relations and public controversy management. It references the four models of public relations (press agency, public information, two-way asymmetrical, and two-way symmetrical) as described by Grunig and Hunt (2000). Additionally, the study draws on the concept of public controversy management (ACP) as defined by Solórzano and others, emphasizing the importance of early identification and strategic response to potential conflicts. The primary objective of the research is to analyse how public controversy was managed as a function of public relations within a municipality in Peru during the COVID-19 pandemic from 2020 to 2021. The study aims to identify the strengths and weaknesses of the municipal management in handling public controversies and the role of public relations in these efforts. The research employs a concurrent nested design approach, integrating qualitative and quantitative methods. The qualitative component includes semi-structured interviews with municipal officials and a focus group with district residents aged 30 to 59. The quantitative component consists of a survey administered to 380 residents who have lived in the district for over five years. Key findings of the research are: - Communication Deficiencies: The study found significant deficiencies in the municipality's communication strategies during the pandemic. The official social media channels exhibited poor bidirectional communication, leading to dissatisfaction among residents. - Lack of Proactive Measures: The municipality failed to establish proactive measures for managing potential conflicts, resulting in reactive responses that often exacerbated issues. - Inadequate Public Relations Management: The research identified a lack of understanding and implementation of effective public relations practices, highlighting the need for a dedicated public relations professional within the municipal team. - Public Perception: The survey results indicated low levels of trust and satisfaction among residents regarding the municipality's management of the pandemic. Over 40% of respondents disagreed with the municipality's efforts to identify, evaluate, and manage public controversies. - Recommendations for Improvement: The study suggests several improvements, including the need for a strategic public relations plan, better training for municipal communication teams, and enhanced engagement with the community through more effective use of digital platforms. Among the implications for the practice, the findings underscore the critical role of public relations in managing public controversies, particularly in times of crisis such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Effective communication strategies, proactive conflict management, and a deep understanding of the community's needs and expectations are essential for maintaining public trust and institutional credibility. In conclusion, the study concludes that the municipality's public relations efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic were insufficient and poorly managed, leading to significant public dissatisfaction. The research highlights the importance of strategic public relations practices in managing public controversies and provides actionable recommendations for improving communication and conflict management within public institutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista Anagramas is the property of Editorial Universidad de Medellin and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Purpose: This paper aims to develop an original Café Delphi historical method to research women's individual and collective experiences of sex, sexuality and sexism in public relations (PR) in 1990s' Britain. Design/methodology/approach: An original Café Delphi historical method is shaped by an interpretive paradigm providing a conceptual framework to model sex, sexuality and sexism. This approaches history as a social science drawing on hermeneutic phenomenology, reflexivity and ethics of care. A case study, employing oral history and participatory action research (PAR), is used to develop and test the practicality of the original Café Delphi historical method to research women's individual and collective experiences of PR in 1990s' Britain. Findings: Three main findings are identified. (1) Developing a new method is complex, time-consuming and surfaces practical problems; however, the Café Delphi historical method is a viable way to explore individual and collective experiences. (2) Undertaking methodological innovation and innovating research methods involves action learning and requires agility, reflexivity and ability to navigate messiness and order. (3) Testing the multiphase mixed method study revealed its power and potential as an ethical and collaborative co-research approach. Originality/value: This study expands the repertoire of research methods in PR historiography and provides a new approach to capture collective as well as individual experiences. This study develops a feminine analytic tool employing metamodern oscillation to connect past, present and future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study aims to propose a model of publics' ethical activism, testing the role of emotional outrage in an extended framework of the previously established STOPS model. Thus, this study aims to investigate (1) how ethical perception of a social issue affects situational motivation that leads to participation in public activism, and (2) how emotional outrage plays a role in mediating between situational motivation and activism behaviors. Design/methodology/approach: The study aims at investigating the mediating role of emotional outrage between situational motivation and activism behaviors, which have not been investigated thoroughly in public relations research. By conducting a national survey with 386 people (N = 386) living in Australia, the study's suggestive model was tested in the context of two ethical issues (e.g. climate change and anti-racism). This study found that people who perceive an ethical issue are likely to be motivated to participate in activism behaviors. Specifically, three situational perceptions (i.e. problem recognition, constraint recognition and involvement recognition) were found to be significant factors affecting situational motivation (SM) in problem solving. A high level of emotional outrage was found to play a mediating role between SM and consequential ethical activism behaviors. The more people feel outraged about an ethical issue, the more likely they will engage in punitive behavior. This study contributes to the theoretical development of public relations by illuminating how situational perceptions lead to emotional outrage that promotes behavioral intentions in an ethical context. This study also suggests that a practitioner should be sought to manage the levels of perceptual factors when setting up a communication plan in response to an ethical public crisis. Findings: This study found that people who perceive an ethical issue are likely to be motivated to participate in activism behaviors. Specifically, three situational perceptions (i.e. problem recognition, constraint recognition and involvement recognition) were found to be significant factors affecting situational motivation (SM) in problem solving. A high level of emotional outrage was found to play a mediating role between SM and consequential ethical activism behaviors. The more people feel outraged about an ethical issue, the more likely they will engage in punitive behavior. Research limitations/implications: This study substantiates how three perceptual antecedents may conjointly affect situational motivation. Also, the findings in this study also contribute to theoretical development in predicting ethical activism intentions. Another contribution of this study is to demonstrate the mediating role of emotional outrage between situational motivation and ethical activism. The authors strived to explore individuals' perceptions and its impact on intention to boycott against ethical problematic social issues. It should be considered that this study used a hypothetical and manipulated situation where respondents are exposed to the visual stimuli that focus on the moral problems that those specific issues have raised. Practical implications: First, as problem recognition plays a prime mover role in the overall problem-solving process in an ethical context, organizations should reduce individual's ethical problem recognition. When setting up a communication plan, an organization should showcase their positive role in addressing the ethical problems (e.g. to show Adani's commitment to indigenous people and efforts to protect the environment). The response strategy should be effective enough to create an "ethical dilemma," which refers to a situation in which one has a difficult choice to make between two ethical options. Originality/value: This study contributes to theoretical development of public relations by illuminating how situational perceptions lead to emotional outrage that promotes behavioral intentions in an ethical context. This study also suggests that a practitioner should be sought to manage the levels of perceptual factors when setting up a communication plan in response to an ethical public crisis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista Foco (Interdisciplinary Studies Journal) is the property of Revista Foco and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Research into gender dynamics in the Public Relations (PR) industry has suggested that the gendered perceptions of PR roles, gender bias, and cultural norms may contribute to gender-related issues in the field. The current study, framed as an exploratory investigation, examines how PR professionals in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) perceive gender equality issues within their industry. Drawing on survey responses from 152 PR practitioners in the UAE, this research investigates the extent to which these professionals perceive gender equality issues in the PR sector. The survey results reveal positive perceptions of gender equality issues, although some specific gender-related concerns emerge. One key finding is that there are minimal gender differences in perceiving gender equality issues between male and female professionals. Respondents also expressed confidence that their organizations are implementing practices in support of gender equality and recognizing the impact of such practices on employee performance. Given the lack of data on gender equality in the UAE, this exploratory study contributes to a better understanding of gender equality among professionals and provides insights into the strategies for advancing gender equality in the sector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study aims to identify the extent of the use of Twitter network by public relations departments of government institutions in their various communicative activities, monitoring, description and explaining the methods of public relations departments interaction with the public who deal with government institutions and their accounts on social networks to learn about their perceptions towards the services provided, in addition to identifying the communicative methods practiced by public relations departments with the responsible departments within government institutions to know the public’s perceptions towards the services provided, and to ensure the upgrading of these services. The study methodology and tools: A qualitative approach was adopted using a questioner survey Key findings: The results showed that (88.2%) of public relations employees acknowledge the availability of the internet by the institution to its employees, and (48.2%) of them use the internet at a rate of two to five hours, and that all selected government institutions have an official account on the Twitter network at a rate of (100 %). The results showed that (88.2%) of public relations employees acknowledge the availability of the internet by the institution to its employees, and (48.2%) of them use the internet at a rate of two to five hours, and that all selected government institutions have an official account on the Twitter network at a rate of (100 %). The results indicated that (65.6%) believe that the higher management's understanding of the importance of Twitter in public relations activity is "significant", and the majority of the study community reported the presence of the higher management's interest in training them on using the Internet and social media in public relations. The study concluded that, communication with the Foundation through its official accounts on Twitter comes in the first order among the communication methods used by the public to interact with the Public Relations Department with an average of (4.73), while visiting the Foundation came in the second order with an average account of (4.12). E-mail ranks first among the methods used by a public relations practitioner to communicate with senior administration with a relative importance of (69%), followed by - in the second place- holding a meetings inside the institution with a relative importance of (60.5%). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this paper is to investigate stress-related experiences and coping solutions for public relations (PR) professionals, as relevant dimensions related to their well-being, creativity, and outcomes. The framework of the study is linked to the state of the PR profession, its role, and potential developments. It is based on qualitative research, using in-depth semi-structured interviews with seventeen senior professionals in PR from companies in Romania. The thematic analysis revealed, from a top-level professionals' perspective, that Romanian PR activity is still a very fluid one and its role and value are not yet clearly integrated. This generates important levels of negative stress for PR professionals. Besides that, positive stress is associated to PR activity for enthusiastic PR professionals. The findings underline a series of seven stress factors and three categories of solutions for coping, involving the professionals but also academia, professional bodies, and, eventually, organizations. The authors of this study emphasize the importance of supporting the development of the profession as a premise for more positive working experiences of PR professionals. This can be achieved by precisely using PR tools, to establish a set of clear standards and increase PR literacy for non-PR people, both for the benefit of PR professionals and those who pay for their services. The lack of a coherent framework on the role of PR brings many challenges to the activity of PR professionals. The negative stress they perceive in daily activity is partially an extension of the fragmented and incomplete development of the PR profession, and the multivariate and disconnected pace regarding advances in theory and practice in the field. These must be considered and addressed equally within PR research, training and education, practice, and PR-dedicated associations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Policy & Internet is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The purpose of this study is to examine how crucible experiences (i.e. transformative life experiences) influence the leadership development of U.S. Latinas in public relations. Through 24 in-depth interviews with mid-management and senior-level Latina public relations leaders, the findings suggest that crucible experiences differed between immigrant and first-generation Latinas and non-immigrant Latinas in topics such as language expectations (proficiency in English or Spanish), bicultural identity, cultural and social isolation, and access to power structures. They met their career and personal challenges mainly through advocacy, seeking instrumental support, and resilience. This unique inquiry fills the literature gap by proposing a new theoretical framework that examines how intercultural identities and crucible experiences influenced their PR leadership development, and underscores the growing importance of DEI in public relations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Public relations researchers make inferential claims about populations based on analysis and evaluation of data they have collected from smaller samples of people. A question that has been raised in the social sciences is how well the populations sampled in conducted studies represent or reflect broader populations. We also ponder, to what extent DEI-related topics are explored in public relations scholarship. We conducted a quantitative content analysis of 1,277 articles published in leading, peer-reviewed journals in public relations or adjacent journals in mass communication, strategic communication, and communication studies known to publish public relations research. We found that scholars are not providing complete demographic data when conducting research involving human participants; samples include significantly more women than are represented in the most current U.S. Census; samples overly rely on White participants; samples include significantly fewer persons of Latin origin than reflected in the most current U.S. census; and DEI-related publications are still proportionally few but are increasing. Based on these findings, we introduce the Researcher Responsibility to Diversity and Inclusion, which provides six guiding principles for journal editors and researchers to advance disciplinary theorizing and research and to make inclusivity a more central aspect of disciplinary theory and research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article explores the factors that influence public relations activities in small-scale industries (SSIs) in India and their impact on the growth of SSIs. The study emphasizes the importance of PR for SSIs, as they often struggle with large-scale marketing and advertising costs. The research findings suggest that various PR activities, such as publications, events, internet presence, sponsorship, and public service activities, significantly contribute to the expansion of SSIs in India. The study highlights the need for SSIs to invest in PR, stakeholder relations, and strategy to improve brand image, visibility, and customer acquisition. Additionally, the article discusses the integration of public relations and marketing, the role of PR in building an online presence, and its intervention in reputation-threatening situations. The study focuses on small-scale industries in Madhya Pradesh, India, and uses questionnaires and interviews to collect primary data. The study found that PR activities have a significant impact on the growth of SSIs, except for identity media. The article also provides a compilation of various sources related to public relations, entrepreneurship, and small-scale industries in India, offering insights into the importance of PR, its impact on business growth, and the challenges faced by SSIs. [Extracted from the article]

Purpose: Disinformation, false information designed with the intention to mislead, can significantly damage organizational operation and reputation, interfering with communication and relationship management in a wide breadth of risk and crisis contexts. Modern digital platforms and emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI), introduce novel risks in crisis management (Guthrie and Rich, 2022). Disinformation literature in security and computer science has assessed how previously introduced technologies have affected disinformation, demanding a systematic and coordinated approach for sustainable counter-disinformation efforts. However, there is a lack of theory-driven, evidence-based research and practice in public relations that advises how organizations can effectively and proactively manage risks and crises driven by AI (Guthrie and Rich, 2022). Design/methodology/approach: As a first step in closing this research-practice gap, the authors first synthesize theoretical and technical literature characterizing the effects of AI on disinformation. Upon this review, the authors propose a conceptual framework for disinformation response in the corporate sector that assesses (1) technologies affecting disinformation attacks and counterattacks and (2) how organizations can proactively prepare and equip communication teams to better protect businesses and stakeholders. Findings: This research illustrates that future disinformation response efforts will not be able to rely solely on detection strategies, as AI-created content quality becomes more and more convincing (and ultimately, indistinguishable), and that future disinformation management efforts will need to rely on content influence rather than volume (due to emerging capabilities for automated production of disinformation). Built upon these fundamental, literature-driven characteristics, the framework provides organizations actor-level and content-level perspectives for influence and discusses their implications for disinformation management. Originality/value: This research provides a theoretical basis and practitioner insights by anticipating how AI technologies will impact corporate disinformation attacks and outlining how companies can respond. The proposed framework provides a theory-driven, practical approach for effective, proactive disinformation management systems with the capacity and agility to detect risks and mitigate crises driven by evolving AI technologies. Together, this framework and the discussed strategies offer great value to forward-looking disinformation management efforts. Subsequent research can build upon this framework as AI technologies are deployed in disinformation campaigns, and practitioners can leverage this framework in the development of counter-disinformation efforts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Estudios sobre el Mensaje Periodistico is the property of Universidad Complutense de Madrid and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Hydrogen energy has become a pivotal actor in achieving carbon neutrality by 2050 in the era of the climate crisis. Regardless of its importance, three consecutive hydrogen safety accidents and their aftermath in South Korea have aggravated the public's acceptance of hydrogen. Hydrogen-induced risks have always existed in our society regardless of technical improvement. Here, the task of the government is to manage the hydrogen risk to prevent hydrogen disasters. This study included three steps in its research design; 1) selecting experts through snowball sampling, 2) conducting a qualitative email survey, and 3) analyzing the qualitative answer sheet by applying semantic network analysis. We found that experts' evaluations of the Korean hydrogen PR policy were positive regarding responsiveness but negative regarding openness, guidelines, and control tower. Therefore, we suggest practical policy recommendations; the central government should play an important role in cultivating professional crisis management PR personnel and others. [Display omitted] • Experts positively evaluate the responsiveness of hydrogen PR policies in Korea. • Yet, experts negatively evaluate policy openness, guidelines, and control tower. • The government should improve communication about hydrogen technology. • The government needs to cultivate professional crisis management PR personnel. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article analyzes the extent to which the professionalization of Lithuanian political campaigns has changed over the last 30 years. To achieve this, the article employs two main methods. First, it reviews existing research on election campaign professionalization. Second, it presents the findings from a case study of Lithuanian political campaigns. The analysis draws on data from interviews with PR professionals and politicians conducted over the past two decades (46 interviews). The analysis also includes a data review of party spending in parliamentary campaigns. Through these methods, the analysis finds that both candidates and professional political consultants increasingly view political campaigns as important. Professional consultants play a significant role in campaign preparation and management in all parties, with major functions implemented by external campaign professionals being related to marketing strategies and communication management. Furthermore, contemporary Lithuanian political campaigns are often permanent and centralized, using a variety of marketing tools and instruments to research the electorate and prepare advertising campaigns and messages. The study concludes that Lithuanian election campaigns are gradually becoming more professionalized across all parties. However, the degree of professionalization varies depending on the financial and human resources available to specific party campaigns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim. Problems are inevitable in the subtleties of organizational communication, but it does not mean confronting them is uncontrollable. This paper aims to offer a conceptual structure for investigating contingency theory in Public Relations (PR) during an organizational crisis. The research investigates PR practitioners' use of advocacy and accommodation in contingency theory to intervene in crisis communication. It also offers insights into the public's emotional response and coping mechanisms during a crisis, as well as how understanding these emotions (such as anger, anxiety, fear, and grief, among others) could aid PR professionals in developing more effective crisis communication methods. Method. Empirical research was conducted on the basis of literature reviews by observing and analyzing the existing literature on contingency theory, crisis communication in organizations, and public emotions. Results. This conceptual paper proposes and empirically tests a few propositions. The implications for future studies are included in the paper. Findings promote the adopting a dual-continuum strategy that might assist public relations professionals in preferring superior crisis management strategies for obtaining desired organizational outcomes. Conclusion. The authors assert that PR professionals must move from embracing Grunig's four models of excellence to contingency theory for communicating strategically with the public. The authors propose to adopt a dual-continuum approach that varies from advocacy to accommodation and might provide practical guidance to choose a better stance adopted by the organization towards the public during a crisis. The negative emotions of the public influenced by a crisis along with their emotional coping approaches are also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this report is to analyze the transformations that have occurred in the field of public relations due to the introduction of digital technologies in the profession and to define the advantages and disadvantages of traditional and digital PR. The study focuses on the observation and analysis of the new phenomena in the field of public relations, in the aspect of the most common techniques and tools used by PR practitioners in their daily activities. The method used to collect information is an online survey conducted among public relations professionals. The results of the survey highlighted several elements of the profession that have undergone changes due to the rise of social media platforms. First and foremost, the element of networks and information emerges, as social media allows practitioners to create and maintain strong relationships and contacts while helping them stay current with relevant trends. The second element that emerges is helping to build and maintain a reputation and a more positive public image - a key element of PR. Strategies related to building this reputation, along with the companies' values, are coming to the fore, using social media as an important platform to promote them. From another perspective, the company's reach and communication with the public through social media allows for a twoway conversation with the audience, along with facilitating the dissemination of information and gaining greater visibility online. The study succeeds in outlining the importance of social media while highlighting the limitations it faces as a tool. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper offers a multidimensional theoretical scheme to analyze professional ethics in the field of political public relations. We suggest investigating the decisions of these professionals using moral foundations theory because human ethical reasoning is contextual, and the examination of ethics in a one-dimensional manner as previous researchers have done overlooks the complexity of the moral choices that such professionals make. The prospects of the proposed theoretical approach are demonstrated on 16 interviews with post-soviet Russian political PR industry leaders that were conducted from March 2018 to April 2020. Our empirical findings show that Russian political PR specialists employ all moral foundations, however, in their narratives the "care/harm" and "authority/respect" foundations were not mentioned very often. Overall, this paper makes a critical contribution to research on professional ethics in political public relations, and it provides important insight into the specifics of moral reasoning in the Russian political PR industry that is insufficiently described in the current literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Whether in podcasts, online articles, TED videos, or its I Wikipedia i page, the UFCO still casts its shadow over Operations PBFORTUNE and PBSUCCESS, the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA)'s 1952 and 1953-1954 covert attempts to overthrow Jacobo Arbenz's democratically elected Guatemalan government.[4] Consistently, the overwhelming question driving this media is whether and how the UFCO contributed to the U.S. government's decision. After a few years working for the United Fruit Company (UFCO), lawyer Thomas Corcoran took a moment to gloat. "You know and I know that Communism and not the United Fruit Company is the problem", one UFCO official warned Zemurray, "but unless [the UFCO] can be taken out of the picture and promptly, I think the issue is likely to be confused in the minds" of many observers.[148] Again, the U.S. government and the UFCO's goals overlapped. Internal reports claimed the corporation was pushing against the grain, a lone voice warning U.S. officials about Guatemalan communism.[45] Actually, the State Department repeatedly intervened to prevent any discrimination against U.S.-based corporations.[46] Some lower-level U.S. officials in Guatemala opposed the idea of the U.S. government constantly protecting U.S. companies' interests abroad, but their superiors insisted, "It would be to invite wholesale expropriation of U.S. interests elsewhere in the continent, if the U.S. did not protest" the alleged persecution of the UFCO.[47] Nevertheless, the UFCO felt this was insufficient, for any challenge against its authority was unforgivable. [Extracted from the article]

Book publicists are important intermediaries in generating earned media attention, creating discoverability opportunities, and getting new books into the hands of potential readers. Despite their important function in book culture, publicists' labour in producing and framing value in the book industry is often rendered invisible in the industry and scholarly literature, which we trace back to field-defining conceptual models, particularly Robert Darnton's Communications Circuit (1982). This article draws on interviews with eight Australian publicists to make visible, interrogate, and explain the material and symbolic labour involved in the affective relationship-building and cultural framing work of publicity. This article explores publicists' day-to-day work, their relationships with authors, colleagues and the media, and publicity's function in contemporary book culture. Book publicists are important cultural intermediaries: they are integral to the economic and social contexts of publishing, and influence and shape cultural tastes and value through strategic promotional work, resulting in considerable effects across the domains of production and reception. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Development communications for the past seventy years have followed two paradigms grounded in mass communication and marketing theories. The aim of development communication is changing behaviour, which is much closer to the definition of learning. Therefore, this article proposes a new learning paradigm and conceptual model for development communications that are more audiencecentric than the current dominant paradigm and more operational and sustainable than the current participatory paradigm. Twelve in-depth interviews with four categories of development communication professionals were conducted to substantiate the model. The advertising experts, public relations professionals, campaign funders, and NGO executive managers concurred with the suggested conceptual model envisioning the potential for applying the learning paradigm's seven principles to support sustainable and inclusive development. The article briefly reviewed the literature to introduce the two current paradigms, their underlying theories, and their critiques before proposing the new Learning Paradigm and the Sustainable Learning Conceptual Model associated with it. The findings and discussion open a new potential stream of future research in development communication and beyond. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This is the second part of a two-part forum called Interventions in Public Memory: Interrogating the Critical/Cultural Landscape of Higher Education, edited by Meredith M. Bagley. In this introduction, I explore the ways public memory scholars and higher education public relations professionals can collaborate to enhance critical/cultural approaches to institutional public memory on campuses. As we face this important moment for public memory on US campuses, common concerns for politics, place, dialectic tension, and repair that animate both public memory and public relations call for collaboration between these groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]