Neeltje du Plessis | University of Pretoria (original) (raw)

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Papers by Neeltje du Plessis

Essachess : Journal for Communication Studies, Jun 29, 2021

This paper presents the findings of a South African pilot study based on the Global Capability Fr... more This paper presents the findings of a South African pilot study based on the Global Capability Framework (GCF) and aimed to explore the perceptions of senior Public Relations and Strategic Communication academics and industry leaders of the influence COVID-19 had on their personal capabilities to practice communication; determine their assumptions about the Global Capability Framework and its application within given contexts; and reflect on the future of the communication profession in South Africa. The focus was on the role of the individual Public Relations and Strategic Communication professional as leader and influencer in their respective context. The participants consisted of 10 senior academic and industry leaders who engaged in qualitative interviews. Data was analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis as identified by Braun and Clarke (2006, p.82) which include "identifying, analysing, and reporting patterns [themes] within data." The findings of this paper contribute to the current understanding of Strategic Communication practice and the influence that COVID-19 had on personal practice of both industry and academic participants. This pilot study revealed a limited awareness of the GCF but unequivocally confirmed the relevance and value of the framework and its contribution to both the academic and industry practice. Although many of the participants indicated an awareness of GCF, it was evident that a Strategic Communication mindset is required when the principles of the framework are applied within their respective contexts. Participants reflected on the various crises they encountered but one industry participant specifically reported on the need to implement a transformational approach to address the strategic change required to deal with such disruptive events. Both the academic and industry participants also highlighted the detrimental effects the pandemic had on the mental health of practitioners, academics and students. However, the adoption and effective use of technology in navigating the disruptive influence of COVID-19 was explicit in portraying its advantage to industry.

The purpose of the research was to indicate how retailers, who operate under conditions of an imp... more The purpose of the research was to indicate how retailers, who operate under conditions of an imperfect democracy in a challenging and turbulent business environment, obtained triple bottom line sustainability by considering corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities as part of the strategic intent of the organisation. A qualitative comparative case study design was followed. Through the literature review in the first phase, three previously unrelated components, namely Warren’s (2003) evolution of business legitimacy theory, Jensen’s (2001) three descriptors of the company as an agent in society; and Holmström’s (1997) social systemic Public Relations paradigm, were combined to develop a theoretical framework against which the websites and the annual and sustainability reports of three South African retailers were analysed in the second phase. Analyses were done at two levels: the degree to which community relations and governance issues were represented at strategic level an...

This paper presents the findings of a South African pilot study based on the Global Capability Fr... more This paper presents the findings of a South African pilot study based on the Global Capability Framework (GCF) and aimed to explore the perceptions of senior Public Relations and Strategic Communication academics and industry leaders of the influence COVID-19 had on their personal capabilities to practice communication; determine their assumptions about the Global Capability Framework and its application within given contexts, and reflect on the future of the communication profession in South Africa. The focus was on the role of the individual Public Relations and Strategic Communication professionals as leaders and influencers in their respective context. The participants consisted of 10 senior academic and industry leaders who engaged in qualitative interviews. Data were analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis as identified by Braun and Clarke (2006, p.82) which include “identifying, analysing, and reporting patterns [themes] within data.” The findings of this paper contribute to the current understanding of Strategic Communication practice and the influence that COVID-19 had on personal practice of both industry and academic participants. This pilot study revealed a limited awareness of the GCF but unequivocally confirmed the relevance and value of the framework and its contribution to both the academic and industry practice. Although many of the participants indicated an awareness of GCF, it was evident that a Strategic Communication mindset is required when the principles of the framework are applied within their respective contexts. Participants reflected on the various crises they encountered but one industry participant specifically reported on the need to implement a transformational approach to address the strategic change required to deal with such disruptive events. Both the academic and industry participants also highlighted the detrimental effects the pandemic had on the mental health of practitioners, academics, and students. However, the adoption and effective use of technology in navigating the disruptive influence of COVID-19 was explicit in portraying its advantage to the industry.

ESSACHESS - Journal for Communication Studies, 2021

This paper presents the findings of a South African pilot study based on the Global Capability Fr... more This paper presents the findings of a South African pilot study based on the
Global Capability Framework (GCF) and aimed to explore the perceptions of senior Public Relations and Strategic Communication academics and industry leaders of the influence COVID-19 had on their personal capabilities to practice communication; determine their assumptions about the Global Capability Framework and its application within given contexts, and reflect on the future of the communication profession in South Africa. The focus was on the role of the individual Public Relations and Strategic Communication professionals as leaders and influencers in their
respective context. The participants consisted of 10 senior academic and industry leaders who engaged in qualitative interviews. Data were analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis as identified by Braun and Clarke (2006, p.82) which include “identifying, analysing, and reporting patterns [themes] within data.” The findings of this paper contribute to the current understanding of Strategic Communication practice and the influence that COVID-19 had on personal practice of both industry and academic participants. This pilot study revealed a limited awareness of the GCF
but unequivocally confirmed the relevance and value of the framework and its contribution to both the academic and industry practice. Although many of the participants indicated an awareness of GCF, it was evident that a Strategic Communication mindset is required when the principles of the framework are applied within their respective contexts. Participants reflected on the various crises they encountered but one industry participant specifically reported on the need to implement a transformational approach to address the strategic change required to deal with such disruptive events. Both the academic and industry participants also highlighted the detrimental effects the pandemic had on the mental health of practitioners, academics, and students. However, the adoption and effective use of technology in navigating the disruptive influence of COVID-19 was explicit in
portraying its advantage to the industry.

Journal of Public Affairs, 2011

This article investigates the unique challenges facing political parties in terms of their commun... more This article investigates the unique challenges facing political parties in terms of their communicative responsibilities in a developing democracy as demonstrated by the electoral communication of political parties in the national elections in South Africa over the past 14 ...

Journal of Public Affairs, 2011

Public Relations Review, 2014

The purpose of the research was to indicate how retailers, who operate under conditions of an imp... more The purpose of the research was to indicate how retailers, who operate under conditions of an imperfect democracy in a challenging and turbulent business environment, obtained triple bottom line sustainability by considering corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities as part of the strategic intent of the organisation. A qualitative comparative case study design was followed. Through the literature review in the first phase, three previously unrelated components, namely Warren's (2003) evolution of business legitimacy theory, Jensen's three descriptors of the company as an agent in society; and Holmström's (1997) social systemic Public Relations paradigm, were combined to develop a theoretical framework against which the websites and the annual and sustainability reports of three South African retailers were analysed in the second phase. Analyses were done at two levels: the degree to which community relations and governance issues were represented at strategic level and the achievement of specific impact objectives at technical level. All three retailers channelled CSR activities through either a foundation or a trust registered as a non-profit entity. This could be indicative of the importance assigned to their CRS initiatives. An ability to adapt to changes in the macro environment and surviving economic, political and social challenges was demonstrated.

Essachess : Journal for Communication Studies, Jun 29, 2021

This paper presents the findings of a South African pilot study based on the Global Capability Fr... more This paper presents the findings of a South African pilot study based on the Global Capability Framework (GCF) and aimed to explore the perceptions of senior Public Relations and Strategic Communication academics and industry leaders of the influence COVID-19 had on their personal capabilities to practice communication; determine their assumptions about the Global Capability Framework and its application within given contexts, and reflect on the future of the communication profession in South Africa. The focus was on the role of the individual Public Relations and Strategic Communication professionals as leaders and influencers in their respective context. The participants consisted of 10 senior academic and industry leaders who engaged in qualitative interviews. Data were analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis as identified by Braun and Clarke (2006, p.82) which include “identifying, analysing, and reporting patterns [themes] within data.” The findings of this paper contribute to the current understanding of Strategic Communication practice and the influence that COVID-19 had on personal practice of both industry and academic participants. This pilot study revealed a limited awareness of the GCF but unequivocally confirmed the relevance and value of the framework and its contribution to both the academic and industry practice. Although many of the participants indicated an awareness of GCF, it was evident that a Strategic Communication mindset is required when the principles of the framework are applied within their respective contexts. Participants reflected on the various crises they encountered but one industry participant specifically reported on the need to implement a transformational approach to address the strategic change required to deal with such disruptive events. Both the academic and industry participants also highlighted the detrimental effects the pandemic had on the mental health of practitioners, academics, and students. However, the adoption and effective use of technology in navigating the disruptive influence of COVID-19 was explicit in portraying its advantage to the industry.

ESSACHESS - Journal for Communication Studies, 2021

This paper presents the findings of a South African pilot study based on the Global Capability Fr... more This paper presents the findings of a South African pilot study based on the
Global Capability Framework (GCF) and aimed to explore the perceptions of senior Public Relations and Strategic Communication academics and industry leaders of the influence COVID-19 had on their personal capabilities to practice communication; determine their assumptions about the Global Capability Framework and its application within given contexts, and reflect on the future of the communication profession in South Africa. The focus was on the role of the individual Public Relations and Strategic Communication professionals as leaders and influencers in their
respective context. The participants consisted of 10 senior academic and industry leaders who engaged in qualitative interviews. Data were analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis as identified by Braun and Clarke (2006, p.82) which include “identifying, analysing, and reporting patterns [themes] within data.” The findings of this paper contribute to the current understanding of Strategic Communication practice and the influence that COVID-19 had on personal practice of both industry and academic participants. This pilot study revealed a limited awareness of the GCF
but unequivocally confirmed the relevance and value of the framework and its contribution to both the academic and industry practice. Although many of the participants indicated an awareness of GCF, it was evident that a Strategic Communication mindset is required when the principles of the framework are applied within their respective contexts. Participants reflected on the various crises they encountered but one industry participant specifically reported on the need to implement a transformational approach to address the strategic change required to deal with such disruptive events. Both the academic and industry participants also highlighted the detrimental effects the pandemic had on the mental health of practitioners, academics, and students. However, the adoption and effective use of technology in navigating the disruptive influence of COVID-19 was explicit in
portraying its advantage to the industry.

Journal of Public Affairs, 2011

Public Relations Review, 2014

The purpose of the research was to indicate how retailers, who operate under conditions of an imp... more The purpose of the research was to indicate how retailers, who operate under conditions of an imperfect democracy in a challenging and turbulent business environment, obtained triple bottom line sustainability by considering corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities as part of the strategic intent of the organisation. A qualitative comparative case study design was followed. Through the literature review in the first phase, three previously unrelated components, namely Warren's (2003) evolution of business legitimacy theory, Jensen's three descriptors of the company as an agent in society; and Holmström's (1997) social systemic Public Relations paradigm, were combined to develop a theoretical framework against which the websites and the annual and sustainability reports of three South African retailers were analysed in the second phase. Analyses were done at two levels: the degree to which community relations and governance issues were represented at strategic level and the achievement of specific impact objectives at technical level. All three retailers channelled CSR activities through either a foundation or a trust registered as a non-profit entity. This could be indicative of the importance assigned to their CRS initiatives. An ability to adapt to changes in the macro environment and surviving economic, political and social challenges was demonstrated.