Mind the gap: Understanding public relations competence in the eyes of practitioners and the dominant coalition

Knight, W.M.; Sweetser, Kaye D.

doi:10.1016/j.pubrev.2021.102037

Cited by 8 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 16 publications

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“…According to Valentini and Sriramesh (2014:3), there is little empirical evidence, beyond that of developed nations such as the United States of America, the United Kingdom, and Germany, regarding the extent to which public relations is practised strategically and whether it contributes to the strategic management of organisations. Later research by Mykkänen and Vos (2015), Knight and Sweetser (2021) and Anani-Bossman (2022) confirms this knowledge gap.…”

Section: Introduction and Aim Of The Studymentioning

confidence: 84%

“…More recent research indicates that there is still work to be done to fully institutionalise the profession. For example, research by Knight and Sweetser (2021) in a global organisation, revealed a 25% gap in the non-communicator management view of public relations competence in career practitioners, underestimating both technician and management skills by approximately 25%.…”

Section: Introduction and Aim Of The Studymentioning

confidence: 99%

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An exploration of the institutionalisation of public relations at executive level in the top 100 companies listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE)

Ferreira¹,

Engelbrecht²

2022

JCSA

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This article discusses the institutionalisation of public relations at executive level in large organisations, based on research applied to a purposive sample of the top 100 companies listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) in South Africa. Based on an examination of recent literature on public relations as a strategic management function, the study aimed to determine the extent to which senior public relations practitioners in the selected companies are involved in strategy formulation and decision-making at executive level. Current and recent literature provided a conceptual framework based on the premise that organisations have much to gain by involving senior practitioners in top-level decision-making and strategy formulation. The following theories informed the primary research, which took the form of qualitative semi-structured interviews with the participating practitioners: excellence theory, the dominant coalition, the relational approach, the reflective paradigm and roles theory, with the main focus on the strategic role of public relations. Apart from indicating the extent to which public relations is practiced as a top-level management function in the selected companies, the study also sought to identify barriers that prevent the participating practitioners from providing strategic input at an executive level, and to offer recommendations to overcome these barriers.

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Section: Introduction and Aim Of The Studymentioning

confidence: 84%

Section: Introduction and Aim Of The Studymentioning

confidence: 99%

An exploration of the institutionalisation of public relations at executive level in the top 100 companies listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE)

Ferreira¹,

Engelbrecht²

2022

JCSA

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…One aims to ensure the professional status of PR is attained and maintained (Pieczka & L'Etang, 2006;Gregory & Wolf, 2018;Zerfaß et al, 2008;Bentele et al, 2005). The first includes capturing the reflections of practitioners themselves about their own field and practice (Adi, 2019a;Doan & Bilowol, 2014;Knight & Sweetser, 2021) while the second investigates the context in which PR exists and the trends (societal, technological, and otherwise) influencing its application (see Edelman Trust Barometer, The Approaching the Future Report, the Relevance Report, Global Communication Report, or PR2025).…”

Section: The Future Of Pr (As Research Topic)mentioning

confidence: 99%

Quo Vadis Communication?

Adi,

Fechner,

Seidenglanz

2023

Rev. Int. de RRPP

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This study investigates the perceptions of young PR/Comms professionals in Germany regarding the profession's current and future state, amidst the significant impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the job market. The research builds on previous studies exploring the future of work and the PR industry, aiming to address gaps in literature regarding generational differences in attitudes and a critical reflective approach. The study used a standardized survey and purposeful and snowball sampling methods to select 160 PR practitioners under the age of 36. The results reveal that the next generation of PR/Communications professionals values intrinsic and idealistic factors when choosing an employer, but those without children pursue a more hedonistic agenda. Respondents perceive themselves as dealing with the ramifications of a VUCA world and consider trust as the most significant challenge within the next five years. The study highlights a significant gap between the societal and internal dimensions of PR/Communications and its actual implementation. The implications of the study suggest a need to address contentious questions surrounding the role and mission of PR/Comms in society, focusing on social impact and social value, and advocating for more collaborative and interdisciplinary approaches in training and learning practices.

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“…As journalists relinquish more gatekeeping power (and in many ways become mediators of communication and collaboration) with more digital and online publication, journalists are not creating new information, but they are rather recirculating it and verifying (Holtzhausen, 2005;Knight & Sweetser, 2021). Journalists at the local level may focus on covering harder news stories on government, crime and education, but their stories might lack depth because of source diversity Journalists often face challenges to diversify sources and work in ways that challenge traditional ideologies and practices (Wenzel, 2021).…”

Section: Foundational Work In Pr Bymentioning

confidence: 99%

“Everything Else is Public Relations” How Rural Journalists Draw the Boundary Between Journalism and Public Relations in Rural Communities

Perreault

Walsh

Lincoln

et al. 2023

Mass Communication and Society

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Mind the gap: Understanding public relations competence in the eyes of practitioners and the dominant coalition

Cited by 8 publications

References 16 publications

An exploration of the institutionalisation of public relations at executive level in the top 100 companies listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE)

An exploration of the institutionalisation of public relations at executive level in the top 100 companies listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE)

Quo Vadis Communication?

“Everything Else is Public Relations” How Rural Journalists Draw the Boundary Between Journalism and Public Relations in Rural Communities

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