PR Theory in the Age of Globalization (original) (raw)

On the definition of public relations: A European view

Public Relations Review, 2001

The article confronts a U.S.-based definition of public relations as relationship management with a European view that besides a relational, argues also for a reflective paradigm that is concerned with publics and the public sphere; not only with relational (which can in principle be private), but also with public consequences of organizational behavior. The article is based on a three year research project on the European Public Relations Body of Knowledge and it reflects on the consequence of that project for definitional activities in the US practitioner and academic communities.

The Landscape of Today�s Global Public Relations

2007

Public relations are now well established around the world after the major growth in the field over the last decade of the Twentieth Century. A review of today's landscape in global public relations is, at best, an intimidating task because the field is so broad and diverse. Nevertheless, we can make some general statements about today's practice of global public relations and what trends are currently shaping and re-defining the public relations industry. This article will explore three basic issues: the maturity of public relations in a changing world, the increased significance of public relations in today's global economy, and blogging and podcasting as examples of the democratization of information. Key words: global public relations industry, economy, democratization of information, blogging, podcasting.

Ihlen, Ø., & Verhoeven, P. (2009). Conclusions on the domain, context, concepts, issues and empirical avenues of public relations. In Ø. Ihlen, B. van Ruler & M. Fredriksson (Eds.), Public relations and social theory: Key figures and concepts (pp. 332-349). New York: Routledge.

Public relations and social theory: Key figures and concepts, 2009

At least five conclusions can be drawn from the collective output of the essays in this book: public relations can be studied as a social activity in its own right; it must be understood in relation to its societal context; the crucial concepts of public relations are trust, legitimacy, understanding, and reflection; issues of power, behavior, and language are at the forefront of public relations study; and social theory is necessary to understand the practice of public relations and to raise important empirical questions about it. This chapter elaborates on these points, while at the same time acknowledging the richness and diversity of the theories discussed by the contributors, which do not lend themselves easily to the tasks of summarizing and drawing parallels.

Defining the 'object' of public relations research: A new starting point

Public Relations Inquiry, 2012

In this article I consider the importance of paradigmatic variety in the scholarly field of public relations. I reflect on the role that both conflict and cooperation between different paradigms play in the development of academic fields, and review definitions of public relations to examine the extent to which both are present in public relations scholarship. Based on this discussion, I consider the assumptions that underpin existing approaches to public relations in order to reveal the ways in which they are connected, as well as differentiated, along a series of continua. I conclude by proposing a new definition of public relations, as flow rather than organizational function, that can accommodate the range of research encompassed by these continua, thereby facilitating greater unity, inclusivity and, I would hope, dialogue in the field.

Globalisation and public relations: An overview looking into the future

Public relations scholarship is young and evolving. Rapid globalization has created new opportunities and challenges as well to public relations practice. In turn, public relations education and scholarship has had to adapt and grow quickly from its ethnocentric roots to become more diversea process still underway. This essay chronicles the development of the body of knowledge of global public relations broadly defining "culture" with a view to the future. Sriramesh, K. (2009). Globalisation and public relations: The past, present, and the future. PRism 6(2): http://praxis.massey.ac.nz/prism\_on-line\_journ.html Sriramesh, K. (2009). Globalisation and public relations: The past, present, and the future. PRism 6(2):

Models of Public Relations in an International Setting

Journal of Public Relations Research, 1995

Scholars of public relations have identified four typical models of public relations practice in countries with Anglo cultures-press agentry, public information, two-way asymmetrical, and two-way symmetrical. Press agentry and public information form a continuum of craft public relations. The two-way models make up a continuum of professionai public relations. Research shows that public relations departments contribute most to organizational effectiveness when they practice on the professional continuum and emphasize the symmetrical model more than the asymmetrical. However, most of the conditions that foster professional public relations in AngJo countries may not exist in and around most organizations in other cultures. In addition, in other countries practitioners may practice public relations according to a completely different model. In this article, we report a meta-analysis of studies of public relations practice in India, Greece, and Taiwan. Those studies show that craft Requests for reprints should be sent to James E. Grunig, College

Challenges for public relations: working in an international framework

2006

Western models of public relations tend to dominate the discipline, but the efficiency of such models in light of global public relations and the richness of alternative – particularly South East Asian – approaches will be interrogated in this paper. There are few scholars who take a critical approach to public relations practice, or consider the significance and practice of public relations in non- Western and developing nation contexts. Those who do tend to approach international public relations as an opportunity that offers the multinational company competitive advantage and sound image management in international markets, rather than as the potential for developing ethical and reciprocally meaningful communication practices. This paper aims to address issues of globalisation and the demands of ethical approaches and social responsibility by developing a context sensitive orientation to the discipline. The complexities resulting from the internationalising of the field, specifically in terms of education and professional practice, will be explored andilluminated through reference to case studies in SE Asia and Australia.