Points out that consumer product recalls are a pervasive phenomenon of enormous consequence: (1) product recalls are quantitatively and qualitatively significant; (2) product recalls vary in effectiveness; (3) numerous variables influence recall effectiveness; and (4) despite the great variance in recall outcome, and the plethora of variables, it…

Focuses on the preliminary process of corporate advocacy, which provides direction for issues management. Provides insights into: (1) the degree to which organizational spokespersons are willing to express a position on a variety of issues; (2) how such positions come to be advocated through organizational communication; and (3) how organizational…

Compares the communication strategies of small communities having successful industry recruitment programs with small communities having unsuccessful recruitment programs. Finds that the existence of a marketing program positively relates to recruitment success, and that direct mail with brochures and personal contact were the most common…

Uses results from a survey of 105 not-for-profit organizations in the Cleveland Metropolitan area to show their public relations deficiencies. Argues that while not-for-profit organizations act much like for-profit businesses, they are not up to par in their use of professional public relations practices. (MS)

Notes important discrepancies between the metaphor of relationship management and how public relations models are conceptualized and measured. Argues that public relations models need to be measured at the relational level, rather than being aggregated across publics and relational stages. Argues that an adequate normative theory of organizational…

Examines how to create organizational processes that allow communication professionals with a variety of expertise to support each other through coordination and integration. Studies eight of America's leading total quality management corporations, including AT&T, Federal Express, Saturn, and Xerox. Explores how various total quality…

Reviews the history of the Public Relations Body of Knowledge Abstracts, a database of public relations research and literature. Describes the uses of the abstracts for research purposes, and reports assessments of new research directions as set forth by members of the Public Relations Society of America's permanent Body of Knowledge Board. (MM)

Analyzes a recent instance of focus group research applied to a public relations case (rather than a marketing case). Reviews the advantages and disadvantages of this qualitative method, and describes the case of a county department of mental health relying on focus group research to help plan a program aimed at reducing the stigma of mental…

Surveys employees of the Hershey Medical Center in Pennsylvania to examine why they read "Vital Signs," the employee newsletter. Finds that employees with a higher level of organizational integration often place more emphasis on reading the employee newsletter to survey system functions and the employee social network. (MM)

Explores and illustrates the different types of press relations commonly undertaken by terrorist organizations. Argues that large and small groups both engage in publicity efforts, but employ different patterns of press relations activities. (SR)

Reviews the growing body of literature on issue management and surveys the top 21 "Fortune" 500 industrial corporations of 1985. Offers a definition of issue management which may provide a common framework in which issue management may be correctly understood and recognized. (MS)

Examines findings from key studies into image and publics and proposes a new model integrating and collapsing both concepts. Notes that the model explains the process of attaining an image. Argues for a reconceptualization of image and for a reconceptualization of public. (SR)

Examines the relationship between public relations and marketing departments from the perspective of 262 public relations practitioners in the United States. Finds that domain similarity and resource dependence between the two departments was positively associated with the eventual take over of the less powerful department (public relations) by…

Presents findings from a survey of public relations practitioners and endusers in Singapore to provide insights into the present trends in the industry, what practitioners are doing, public relations skills which need to be developed, and emerging trends in the industry. (SR)

Explores the potential of complexity theory as a unifying theory in public relations, where scholars have recently raised problems involving flux, uncertainty, adaptiveness, and loss of control. Describes specific complexity-based methodologies and their potential for public relations studies. Offers an account of complexity theory, its…