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Back to the Roots? The Applications of Communication Science Theories in Strategic Communication Research.
- Source :
- International Journal of Strategic Communication; Jan-Mar2020, Vol. 14 Issue 1, p1-24, 24p
- Publication Year :
- 2020
-
Abstract
- Recently, the field of strategic communication has been criticized for lacking a coherent theoretical synthesis. Recognizing that strategic communication is a sub-discipline of communication science, we study how the field is anchored in the corpus of established communication theories – including social science, interpretative, and critical approaches. To describe the use, development, and context of communication theories in strategic communication publications, we analyzed all articles published in ten public relations/ corporate communication/ organizational communication/ strategic communication journals over twenty years (N = 4,027). While the vast majority of articles did not refer to one of the 91 communication theories, the share of references to these theories has been increasing. Overall, we found a high diversity of approaches – with considerable differences among journals – indicating a broad discourse. However, we also found a growing relevance of the social science paradigm. We argue that a stronger focus on communication theories may facilitate a consilient synthesis and increase the relevance of the field, academically and practically. We therefore propose to strengthen the communication science perspective in strategic communication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Subjects :
- STRATEGIC communication
SCIENTIFIC communication
PARADIGMS (Social sciences)
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 1553118X
- Volume :
- 14
- Issue :
- 1
- Database :
- Complementary Index
- Journal :
- International Journal of Strategic Communication
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 140467371
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1080/1553118X.2019.1666398