The emerging “field” of public relations in China: Multiple interplaying logics and evolving actors’ inter-relations

Hou, Jenny Zhengye

doi:10.1016/j.pubrev.2016.04.003

Cited by 4 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 79 publications

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“…Hinrichsen, 2005). ” Some of the more substantive studies regarding PR firms and agencies include research on various aspects of the relationship between agencies and clients (Croft, 1997; Morley, 2009; Frandsen et al , 2013; Hou, 2016; Verčič et al , 2018). Finally, the literature on crisis (communication) consulting, unlike the broader field of crisis communication, which has been the topic of numerous publications (among them Pearson and Mitroff, 1993; Fink, 2002; Fearn-Banks, 2011; Coombs, 2012; Seeger and Sellnow, 2013; Crandall et al , 2014), is almost nonexistent.…”

Section: Literature Reviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

Crisis communication consulting: rethinking the role of PR firms in solving organizational crises

Jugo¹,

Pakozdi²,

Milas³

2019

CCIJ

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Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore the relationship between organizations and their PR firms during crisis situations. It contributes to the field by identifying the role of communication consultants in contemporary organizational crises, tasks they are entrusted by their clients, as well as providing their perspective on current crisis communication practice and its future development. Design/methodology/approach The research is based on 13 semi-structured in-depth interviews with two groups of senior staff in 11 Croatian PR agencies: CEOs, directors, managing partners and senior consultants, all in charge of their clients’ crisis communication projects. Findings The research results suggest that PR firms define crisis differently than their clients, who tend to consider every risk a crisis, which causes a significantly broadened scope of work for their PR firms. The findings also suggest crises to be periods when new PR firm–client relations are often established and caution PR firms to balance between openly expressing their opinion when unfavorable for their clients and providing the best advice possible to achieve a sustainable business model with the clients that they consult. Originality/value This research provides rare insight into crisis communication consulting practice, especially consultant–client relations during crises. Methodologically, it includes a representative group of senior communication practitioners acting as consultants and can provide the management of PR firms and scholars valuable insight into the current and future trends of the crisis communication field in Croatia.

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Section: Literature Reviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

Crisis communication consulting: rethinking the role of PR firms in solving organizational crises

Jugo¹,

Pakozdi²,

Milas³

2019

CCIJ

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“…Belch & Belch, 2012;Shimp & Andrews, 2013). In difference to the scarcity of research in agency-client relations in public relations (notable exceptions are Bourland, 1993;Hou, 2016;and Pincus et al, 1991), in advertising theory and practice agency-client relations "became a major area of study" (Waller, 2004). But this is not the only reason why the literature review continues with works mainly from advertising.…”

Section: )mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Arul (2011) also noted that as competition increases, companies demand more from their agencies. Hou (2016) found in China that agencies as suppliers are in submissive relations with their clients as buyers. This hierarchical relationship has twofold consequences.…”

Section: )mentioning

confidence: 99%

Collaboration and conflict between agencies and clients

Verčič

Tench

Verčić

2018

Public Relations Review

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“…On one hand, PR and communication scholars (e.g. Frandsen et al, 2016; Fredriksson et al, 2013; Hou, 2016; Sandhu, 2009) draw on insights from institutional theory (e.g. fields, institutional logics, legitimacy) to understand the ‘sociological root’ of PR and its specialised practices (e.g.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The articulation of ‘agency’: How can public relations scholarship and institutional theory enrich each other?

Hou

2020

Public Relations Inquiry

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A recent critical turn to both public relations and institutional studies has highlighted ‘agency’ as a shared important theme. While public relations scholars call to bring back ‘agency’ into analysis of practice and process of public relations, neo-institutionalists use ‘agency’ to explain heterogeneity and innovation in institutional outcomes. In this context, this article proposes to use ‘agency’ as a meeting ground to explore how the two disciplines could engage in a dialogue that improves mutual understanding and theoretical enrichment of each other. It argues that institutional thoughts such as ‘embedded agency’, ‘institutional entrepreneurship’ and ‘institutional work’ advance understandings of the downplayed issues of power, diversity and activism in the public relations literature. In turn, the multi-paradigmatic public relations scholarship provides useful tools for analysing institutional agency. Also, this article discusses future research agenda to advance fruitful collaboration between the two domains.

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The emerging “field” of public relations in China: Multiple interplaying logics and evolving actors’ inter-relations

Cited by 4 publications

References 79 publications

Crisis communication consulting: rethinking the role of PR firms in solving organizational crises

Crisis communication consulting: rethinking the role of PR firms in solving organizational crises

Collaboration and conflict between agencies and clients

The articulation of ‘agency’: How can public relations scholarship and institutional theory enrich each other?

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