Art or dark art? moral failure and ethical obligation in South African public relations practice
- Verwey, Sonja, Muir, Clarissa
- Authors: Verwey, Sonja , Muir, Clarissa
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Public relations , Ethics , Moral framework
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/290206 , uj:31501 , Citation: Verwey, S. & Muir, C. 2018. Art or dark art? moral failure and ethical obligation in South African public relations practice. Communitas 2018 23: 1-17, DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.18820/24150525/Comm.v23.1.
- Description: Abstract: Ethical failures are not just philosophical problems, but also economic problems that hold significant social and political consequences for the social and communal contexts in which these are enacted. Recent ethical scandals such as Bell Pottinger and Cambridge Analytica have reawakened public debate on ethical standards in professional practice. While some research on PR roles has been conducted in the South African context since 2002, there are no formally documented studies regarding the moral philosophy and ethics of PR practice in South Africa. This article seeks to determine how South African PR practitioners respond to their ethical obligations. Research findings confirm that partisan values still dominate and that contexts of practice do not facilitate ethical practice by meeting ethical obligations through ethics of care and communality. The findings seem to indicate that the roots of ethical failures in the industry run deep. South African PR practice will continue to be regarded as a “dark art” unless it can free itself of moral constraints inherent to the reflexive modernist PR practices and assumptions that prevail. To facilitate a transition away from compliance to codes of conduct towards greater moral accountability, moral character in role enactment must be engaged with on a more profound level.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Verwey, Sonja , Muir, Clarissa
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Public relations , Ethics , Moral framework
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/290206 , uj:31501 , Citation: Verwey, S. & Muir, C. 2018. Art or dark art? moral failure and ethical obligation in South African public relations practice. Communitas 2018 23: 1-17, DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.18820/24150525/Comm.v23.1.
- Description: Abstract: Ethical failures are not just philosophical problems, but also economic problems that hold significant social and political consequences for the social and communal contexts in which these are enacted. Recent ethical scandals such as Bell Pottinger and Cambridge Analytica have reawakened public debate on ethical standards in professional practice. While some research on PR roles has been conducted in the South African context since 2002, there are no formally documented studies regarding the moral philosophy and ethics of PR practice in South Africa. This article seeks to determine how South African PR practitioners respond to their ethical obligations. Research findings confirm that partisan values still dominate and that contexts of practice do not facilitate ethical practice by meeting ethical obligations through ethics of care and communality. The findings seem to indicate that the roots of ethical failures in the industry run deep. South African PR practice will continue to be regarded as a “dark art” unless it can free itself of moral constraints inherent to the reflexive modernist PR practices and assumptions that prevail. To facilitate a transition away from compliance to codes of conduct towards greater moral accountability, moral character in role enactment must be engaged with on a more profound level.
- Full Text:
Zimbabwean communication agencies : current state and future prospects
- Oksiutycz, Anna, Nhedzi, Abyshay
- Authors: Oksiutycz, Anna , Nhedzi, Abyshay
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Advertising , Public relations , Marketing
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/278225 , uj:29852 , Citation: Oksiutycz, A. & Nhedzi, A. 2018. Zimbabwean communication agencies : current state and future prospects.
- Description: Abstract: Researchers from various countries have studied the practice of communication industries worldwide. Despite this nexus of study, relatively little research has been done on the practice of communication in Zimbabwe. In order to contribute to the understanding of the state of the communication industry on the African continent, this study reports on the results of a survey of 50 Zimbabwean communication agencies. This article is different from other studies on the communication industry because it focuses at an institutional level across the agencies, rather than at the level of individual practitioners. The findings focus on four main topics, namely practitioner profile, agency profile, prevailing professional practices and practitioners’ views on future industry trends. The research indicates that the Zimbabwean communication industry is vibrant despite the economic and political challenges facing the country. Owing to economic challenges and stiff competition, most agencies are multipurpose in nature and provide a wide variety of communication and creative services to their clients. The agencies provide services such as advertising, graphic design, branding, website development, event management, video production, online marketing, media relations, mobile app development, and even animation. There is a growing trend to use digital platforms of communication, yet radio and print (magazines and newspapers) remain essential communication channels. Among social media platforms, Twitter, Facebook and YouTube are the most used by practitioners in Zimbabwe, while online audio-podcasts, blogging sites, crowdsourcing and Linked-in are less popular. Practical issues are addressed regarding information about how agencies have adapted (or can adapt) to the new ways of strategic practice with clients in order to keep up with the changing Zimbabwean market. This research also provides valuable insights into the communication industry as a whole. It explores possible opportunities and threats for communication practitioners presented by economic and political environment issues and suggests directions for further research in this area.
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- Authors: Oksiutycz, Anna , Nhedzi, Abyshay
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Advertising , Public relations , Marketing
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/278225 , uj:29852 , Citation: Oksiutycz, A. & Nhedzi, A. 2018. Zimbabwean communication agencies : current state and future prospects.
- Description: Abstract: Researchers from various countries have studied the practice of communication industries worldwide. Despite this nexus of study, relatively little research has been done on the practice of communication in Zimbabwe. In order to contribute to the understanding of the state of the communication industry on the African continent, this study reports on the results of a survey of 50 Zimbabwean communication agencies. This article is different from other studies on the communication industry because it focuses at an institutional level across the agencies, rather than at the level of individual practitioners. The findings focus on four main topics, namely practitioner profile, agency profile, prevailing professional practices and practitioners’ views on future industry trends. The research indicates that the Zimbabwean communication industry is vibrant despite the economic and political challenges facing the country. Owing to economic challenges and stiff competition, most agencies are multipurpose in nature and provide a wide variety of communication and creative services to their clients. The agencies provide services such as advertising, graphic design, branding, website development, event management, video production, online marketing, media relations, mobile app development, and even animation. There is a growing trend to use digital platforms of communication, yet radio and print (magazines and newspapers) remain essential communication channels. Among social media platforms, Twitter, Facebook and YouTube are the most used by practitioners in Zimbabwe, while online audio-podcasts, blogging sites, crowdsourcing and Linked-in are less popular. Practical issues are addressed regarding information about how agencies have adapted (or can adapt) to the new ways of strategic practice with clients in order to keep up with the changing Zimbabwean market. This research also provides valuable insights into the communication industry as a whole. It explores possible opportunities and threats for communication practitioners presented by economic and political environment issues and suggests directions for further research in this area.
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The professional recogniton of female public relations practitioners: a South African pilot study
- Authors: McCammond, Joanna
- Date: 2008-06-12T05:35:50Z
- Subjects: Women in professions , Public relations , Women in advertising
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:2677 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/611
- Description: In the last decades of the twentieth century, women have advanced into the business world, not only as employees but as managers, corporate officers, board directors and CEO’s. Many political, environmental and structural changes have made this possible. Yet even with these numerous changes, women are still battling to push themselves through the pipeline and into top management positions. Furthermore, if women do reach the higher rungs of the corporate ladder, they are more likely to receive less professional recognition than their male counterparts. Statistics show that this phenomenon is also occurring in the field of public relations around the globe. According to a study conducted by O’Neil (2003:168), female practitioners have significantly less formal structural power (employee support, organisational roles, hierarchical position and gender ratios of work groups) than male practitioners. As a result, many academics believe that the glass ceiling in public relations still exists and that the feminisation of the field is increasing this disparity. Public relations is still a relatively new discipline in South Africa and although there have been an increasing number of research studies specifically focusing on South African public relations practice, there is virtually no studies focusing on the contribution and position of female practitioners in the field. This study, therefore, investigates the professional recognition of female public relations practitioners in South Africa. This was achieved by meeting the main objectives namely, to gather data on the factors that influence the professional recognition of female public relations practitioners in South African organisations as well as South African public relations practice. Originally, the study aimed at being a replication of an American research project by Toth and Cline called ‘Public relations Practitioner Attitudes Toward Gender Issues: A Benchmark Study. Unfortunately, the survey instrument was not available due to the deteriorating health of Dr. Cline over the last seven years, and since this study is largely exploratory in nature, it became a pilot study. The methodology used for this study was triangulation, a combination of quantitative and qualitative methods, and the research instrument was a questionnaire. Once the data was collected from respondents, the findings were contrasted against the findings of similar studies in the United States, the United Kingdom and other countries. The key findings of this study shows that female public relations practitioners in South Africa appear to be more positive about the recognition they receive than their U.S and U.K counterparts. A majority of respondents believe that female public relations practitioners are equal to their male counterparts in terms of status, power and respect. Yet, there are strong indications that the glass ceiling does exist in South African public relations. One such indication is a low salary average. Another is that gender discrimination seems to be pervasive throughout the field, especially in the case of sexual harassment and gender stereotypes. Female practitioners still have to battle the stereotypes of mother, sex object and iron maiden. Corporate culture and structure also continues to pose a barrier to the advancement of female practitioners in the form of out-dated company policies regarding programs such as part-time and flexi-time work options, job-sharing and telecommuting. Balancing family and work responsibilities continues to hinder female practitioners although they are said to be more efficient than their male counterparts at the balancing act. The most surprising data finding of the study, however, was that practitioners believe that a lack of mentorship is not a barrier to the advancement of female practitioners. Mentorship plays an important role in the promotion process, and Lahtinen and Wilson (1994) go as far to say that mentors could be key to the advancement of women. It is clear that a majority of practitioners are obviously unaware of its importance. This study will not only contribute to the body of knowledge about public relations practitioners in general but will also provide great insight into the position of female practitioners and the issues they face in public relations practice and in South African organisations. As there are so few research studies on this topic, it will help encourage and create a foundation for other such studies that will hopefully investigate deeper into the topic. It was also important to the value of the study that it was not created in a vacuum and that it could be contrasted against statistics in other countries providing a more meaningful, global perspective. This has allowed correlations and comparisons to be made which has presented some expected similarities as well as some marked differences. However, the true value of the study lies in creating a much needed awareness of how far female practitioners have come and how far they still need to go in terms of receiving professional recognition in their field. , Professor Sonja Verwey
- Full Text:
- Authors: McCammond, Joanna
- Date: 2008-06-12T05:35:50Z
- Subjects: Women in professions , Public relations , Women in advertising
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:2677 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/611
- Description: In the last decades of the twentieth century, women have advanced into the business world, not only as employees but as managers, corporate officers, board directors and CEO’s. Many political, environmental and structural changes have made this possible. Yet even with these numerous changes, women are still battling to push themselves through the pipeline and into top management positions. Furthermore, if women do reach the higher rungs of the corporate ladder, they are more likely to receive less professional recognition than their male counterparts. Statistics show that this phenomenon is also occurring in the field of public relations around the globe. According to a study conducted by O’Neil (2003:168), female practitioners have significantly less formal structural power (employee support, organisational roles, hierarchical position and gender ratios of work groups) than male practitioners. As a result, many academics believe that the glass ceiling in public relations still exists and that the feminisation of the field is increasing this disparity. Public relations is still a relatively new discipline in South Africa and although there have been an increasing number of research studies specifically focusing on South African public relations practice, there is virtually no studies focusing on the contribution and position of female practitioners in the field. This study, therefore, investigates the professional recognition of female public relations practitioners in South Africa. This was achieved by meeting the main objectives namely, to gather data on the factors that influence the professional recognition of female public relations practitioners in South African organisations as well as South African public relations practice. Originally, the study aimed at being a replication of an American research project by Toth and Cline called ‘Public relations Practitioner Attitudes Toward Gender Issues: A Benchmark Study. Unfortunately, the survey instrument was not available due to the deteriorating health of Dr. Cline over the last seven years, and since this study is largely exploratory in nature, it became a pilot study. The methodology used for this study was triangulation, a combination of quantitative and qualitative methods, and the research instrument was a questionnaire. Once the data was collected from respondents, the findings were contrasted against the findings of similar studies in the United States, the United Kingdom and other countries. The key findings of this study shows that female public relations practitioners in South Africa appear to be more positive about the recognition they receive than their U.S and U.K counterparts. A majority of respondents believe that female public relations practitioners are equal to their male counterparts in terms of status, power and respect. Yet, there are strong indications that the glass ceiling does exist in South African public relations. One such indication is a low salary average. Another is that gender discrimination seems to be pervasive throughout the field, especially in the case of sexual harassment and gender stereotypes. Female practitioners still have to battle the stereotypes of mother, sex object and iron maiden. Corporate culture and structure also continues to pose a barrier to the advancement of female practitioners in the form of out-dated company policies regarding programs such as part-time and flexi-time work options, job-sharing and telecommuting. Balancing family and work responsibilities continues to hinder female practitioners although they are said to be more efficient than their male counterparts at the balancing act. The most surprising data finding of the study, however, was that practitioners believe that a lack of mentorship is not a barrier to the advancement of female practitioners. Mentorship plays an important role in the promotion process, and Lahtinen and Wilson (1994) go as far to say that mentors could be key to the advancement of women. It is clear that a majority of practitioners are obviously unaware of its importance. This study will not only contribute to the body of knowledge about public relations practitioners in general but will also provide great insight into the position of female practitioners and the issues they face in public relations practice and in South African organisations. As there are so few research studies on this topic, it will help encourage and create a foundation for other such studies that will hopefully investigate deeper into the topic. It was also important to the value of the study that it was not created in a vacuum and that it could be contrasted against statistics in other countries providing a more meaningful, global perspective. This has allowed correlations and comparisons to be made which has presented some expected similarities as well as some marked differences. However, the true value of the study lies in creating a much needed awareness of how far female practitioners have come and how far they still need to go in terms of receiving professional recognition in their field. , Professor Sonja Verwey
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Dynamics of public relations and journalism : a practical guide for media studies
- Clear, Annette, Koonin, Marla, Pritchard, Maritha
- Authors: Clear, Annette , Koonin, Marla , Pritchard, Maritha
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Public relations , Journalism , Media studies
- Type: Book chapter
- Identifier: uj:5548 , ISBN 9781485102878 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/14132
- Description: Unravelling the complex worlds of public relations and journalism in a single publication is not easy. However, when the dynamics of these two unique occupations are established, their interaction becomes apparent. This book follows a unique approach, illustrating how public relations and journalism interact in the field of Media Studies. This work shifts the strong emphasis currently placed on journalistic skills to public relations and media handling. It also focuses on the journalistic skills that the public relations practitioner needs to complete technical tasks effectively. This edition is an attempt to keep up with the strong digital media influence in organisations. In looking at how public relations is evolving, we also need to look at how journalism is evolving because the two have a direct influence on each other. Digital media may be changing the face of both the public relations and journalism professions, but the basic principles of good public relations and journalism remain unchanged. Technology changes so quickly – you as a public relations practitioner will always need to keep up with the trends and changes in the digital media environment.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Clear, Annette , Koonin, Marla , Pritchard, Maritha
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Public relations , Journalism , Media studies
- Type: Book chapter
- Identifier: uj:5548 , ISBN 9781485102878 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/14132
- Description: Unravelling the complex worlds of public relations and journalism in a single publication is not easy. However, when the dynamics of these two unique occupations are established, their interaction becomes apparent. This book follows a unique approach, illustrating how public relations and journalism interact in the field of Media Studies. This work shifts the strong emphasis currently placed on journalistic skills to public relations and media handling. It also focuses on the journalistic skills that the public relations practitioner needs to complete technical tasks effectively. This edition is an attempt to keep up with the strong digital media influence in organisations. In looking at how public relations is evolving, we also need to look at how journalism is evolving because the two have a direct influence on each other. Digital media may be changing the face of both the public relations and journalism professions, but the basic principles of good public relations and journalism remain unchanged. Technology changes so quickly – you as a public relations practitioner will always need to keep up with the trends and changes in the digital media environment.
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The Swiss Banks : a communication crisis management perspective
- Authors: Bloom, Evan Terence
- Date: 2011-11-10
- Subjects: Financial crises management , Crisis management , Public relations , Banks and banking, Swiss
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:7268 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/3943
- Description: M.A. , This study determines the role of crisis management in the dormant account crisis that faced three Swiss banks from 1995 until 2000. This research topic involving the Swiss banks was selected for numerous reasons. Firstly, there was an immense amount of media interest from around the world. Secondly, the geographical area that the crisis was focused in-the western world- is arguably the world's financial powerhouse. Thirdly, the issues surrounding the crisis itself were highly emotive and had its roots in the period shortly before World War Two. Fourthly, on closer investigation very little research had been done on Western corporate financial crises and most importantly, no research had been done on the way the Swiss banks managed their crisis. All of these issues combined provided a very interesting platform on which to begin researching the value of effective crisis management, from a strategic standpoint, for a western corporate financial company.To facilitate an effective and objective analysis of the case study, an extensive literature study had to be undertaken. The origins of public relations had to be researched to understand how the profession had developed. In addition, crisis management also had to be studied to understand how this discipline of public relations works. From there, the role of public relations had to be studied to comprehend exactly what should have been done, in terms of how crisis management is an element of public relations, for the Swiss banks before the crisis began.Following on from this it was established, from the literature study, that planning for a crisis is one of the foundations of crisis management.AThe most important aspects of and contributors to crisis planning were then considered. It was also established that crises have different stages that they pass through. This was then investigated as well as the relevant aspects needed to manage each stage. An important aspect encountered in each crisis is the media. The different parts of media training were studied. followed by arguably one of the most difficult aspects of crisis management- managing the media.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Bloom, Evan Terence
- Date: 2011-11-10
- Subjects: Financial crises management , Crisis management , Public relations , Banks and banking, Swiss
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:7268 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/3943
- Description: M.A. , This study determines the role of crisis management in the dormant account crisis that faced three Swiss banks from 1995 until 2000. This research topic involving the Swiss banks was selected for numerous reasons. Firstly, there was an immense amount of media interest from around the world. Secondly, the geographical area that the crisis was focused in-the western world- is arguably the world's financial powerhouse. Thirdly, the issues surrounding the crisis itself were highly emotive and had its roots in the period shortly before World War Two. Fourthly, on closer investigation very little research had been done on Western corporate financial crises and most importantly, no research had been done on the way the Swiss banks managed their crisis. All of these issues combined provided a very interesting platform on which to begin researching the value of effective crisis management, from a strategic standpoint, for a western corporate financial company.To facilitate an effective and objective analysis of the case study, an extensive literature study had to be undertaken. The origins of public relations had to be researched to understand how the profession had developed. In addition, crisis management also had to be studied to understand how this discipline of public relations works. From there, the role of public relations had to be studied to comprehend exactly what should have been done, in terms of how crisis management is an element of public relations, for the Swiss banks before the crisis began.Following on from this it was established, from the literature study, that planning for a crisis is one of the foundations of crisis management.AThe most important aspects of and contributors to crisis planning were then considered. It was also established that crises have different stages that they pass through. This was then investigated as well as the relevant aspects needed to manage each stage. An important aspect encountered in each crisis is the media. The different parts of media training were studied. followed by arguably one of the most difficult aspects of crisis management- managing the media.
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Public relations professionals’ perceptions of a moral framework for public relations practice in agency contexts
- Authors: Carter, Simone Jaclyn
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Communication , Public relations , Ethics
- Language: English
- Type: Masters (Thesis)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/294279 , uj:32014
- Description: Abstract: This study seeks to understand South African PR professionals’ perceptions of a moral framework for PR practice in agency contexts. PR professionals are guided by their moral frameworks for practice. However, conflicting loyalties lie at the heart of ethical decision-making in PR. Two conflicting views underpin the debate on ethics and PR practice. On one side, the positive role that PR contributes to society is emphasised through dialogical and reflective practice, and on the other side, PR is viewed as modernist, one-way communication predicated upon compliance and blind obedience to commissioning interests. Ethical PR conduct is outlined as the simultaneous balancing of three distinct interests namely: duty to self, client and society. However, the demands of balancing conflicting interests often result in moral tension and even role strain for the PR professional. On the one hand PR professionals may find that they practice asymmetrically, reflexively, and simply comply with prescribed ethical codes of conduct rather than holding their own moral accountability. On the other hand, professionals may find that they are able to assume a strategic activist role, and practice symmetrically and reflectively, where ethical decision-making is agent-centred and predicated upon ethics of care and virtue. The results of this study suggest that South African PR professionals’ moral decision-making fluctuate between modern and postmodern ethics and that PR professionals’ moral accountability is predicated by the moral assumptions that underlie their practice. This results in an ethical paradox because inasmuch as professionals hold a community outlook and practice ethically in accordance to their role within an interdependent eco-system, this eco-system is not exclusionary of moral tensions that arise between interests. PR professionals in agency contexts may find themselves to be products of an ethical paradox, with PR professionals practicing both asymmetrically and symmetrically in order to meet not only the agency’s needs, but also those of the clients and the public. This research provides insight into how moral accountability and ethicality is conceptualised by PR professionals in agency contexts and contributes to PR scholarship and practice by outlining how agency-based PR professionals are guided by their moral frameworks for practice. , M.A. (Strategic Communication)
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- Authors: Carter, Simone Jaclyn
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Communication , Public relations , Ethics
- Language: English
- Type: Masters (Thesis)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/294279 , uj:32014
- Description: Abstract: This study seeks to understand South African PR professionals’ perceptions of a moral framework for PR practice in agency contexts. PR professionals are guided by their moral frameworks for practice. However, conflicting loyalties lie at the heart of ethical decision-making in PR. Two conflicting views underpin the debate on ethics and PR practice. On one side, the positive role that PR contributes to society is emphasised through dialogical and reflective practice, and on the other side, PR is viewed as modernist, one-way communication predicated upon compliance and blind obedience to commissioning interests. Ethical PR conduct is outlined as the simultaneous balancing of three distinct interests namely: duty to self, client and society. However, the demands of balancing conflicting interests often result in moral tension and even role strain for the PR professional. On the one hand PR professionals may find that they practice asymmetrically, reflexively, and simply comply with prescribed ethical codes of conduct rather than holding their own moral accountability. On the other hand, professionals may find that they are able to assume a strategic activist role, and practice symmetrically and reflectively, where ethical decision-making is agent-centred and predicated upon ethics of care and virtue. The results of this study suggest that South African PR professionals’ moral decision-making fluctuate between modern and postmodern ethics and that PR professionals’ moral accountability is predicated by the moral assumptions that underlie their practice. This results in an ethical paradox because inasmuch as professionals hold a community outlook and practice ethically in accordance to their role within an interdependent eco-system, this eco-system is not exclusionary of moral tensions that arise between interests. PR professionals in agency contexts may find themselves to be products of an ethical paradox, with PR professionals practicing both asymmetrically and symmetrically in order to meet not only the agency’s needs, but also those of the clients and the public. This research provides insight into how moral accountability and ethicality is conceptualised by PR professionals in agency contexts and contributes to PR scholarship and practice by outlining how agency-based PR professionals are guided by their moral frameworks for practice. , M.A. (Strategic Communication)
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Cultural intermediaries and the circuit of culture : the digital ambassadors project in Johannesburg, South Africa
- Benecke, D.R., Simpson, Z., Le Roux, S., Skinner, C.J., Janse van Rensburg, N., Sibeko, J., Bvuma, S., Meyer, J.
- Authors: Benecke, D.R. , Simpson, Z. , Le Roux, S. , Skinner, C.J. , Janse van Rensburg, N. , Sibeko, J. , Bvuma, S. , Meyer, J.
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Circuit of culture , Culture-centred approach , Public relations
- Language: English
- Type: Conference proceedings
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/214217 , uj:21252 , Citation: Benecke, D.R. et al. 2016. Cultural intermediaries and the circuit of culture : the digital ambassadors project in Johannesburg, South Africa.
- Description: Abstract: The question raised by Cheney and Christensen (2001) as to “what a non-Western, nonmanagerial and non-rationalist form of public relations will look like” (p.182), together with the call made by Gregory (2014) for public relations practitioners (PRPs) to be active social change agents, motivated this paper. The aim of this research is to follow a culture-centred approach and apply the circuit of culture (Curtin & Gaither, 2005) to investigate the meanings that young people (aged 18 to 34), as cultural intermediaries, ascribe to their participation in a digital empowerment project implemented by the City of Johannesburg, South Africa. This research forms part of a larger, ongoing multi-disciplinary research project...
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- Authors: Benecke, D.R. , Simpson, Z. , Le Roux, S. , Skinner, C.J. , Janse van Rensburg, N. , Sibeko, J. , Bvuma, S. , Meyer, J.
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Circuit of culture , Culture-centred approach , Public relations
- Language: English
- Type: Conference proceedings
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/214217 , uj:21252 , Citation: Benecke, D.R. et al. 2016. Cultural intermediaries and the circuit of culture : the digital ambassadors project in Johannesburg, South Africa.
- Description: Abstract: The question raised by Cheney and Christensen (2001) as to “what a non-Western, nonmanagerial and non-rationalist form of public relations will look like” (p.182), together with the call made by Gregory (2014) for public relations practitioners (PRPs) to be active social change agents, motivated this paper. The aim of this research is to follow a culture-centred approach and apply the circuit of culture (Curtin & Gaither, 2005) to investigate the meanings that young people (aged 18 to 34), as cultural intermediaries, ascribe to their participation in a digital empowerment project implemented by the City of Johannesburg, South Africa. This research forms part of a larger, ongoing multi-disciplinary research project...
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Openbare betrekkinge as agent tot gedragsverandering in perspektief
- Authors: Nel, Jacobus Johannes
- Date: 2015-03-18
- Subjects: Organizational behavior , Communication in management , Strategic planning , Corporate culture , Public relations
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:13506 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/13537
- Description: D.Com. , Public relations is an organisational function in transition, but for that matter the whole management function is currently experiencing a period of change. Had public relations already been an established field of study at the beginning of this transition period, the necessary adjustments to existing practices and the adaptation to external environmental changes would have proceeded with less difficulty.
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- Authors: Nel, Jacobus Johannes
- Date: 2015-03-18
- Subjects: Organizational behavior , Communication in management , Strategic planning , Corporate culture , Public relations
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:13506 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/13537
- Description: D.Com. , Public relations is an organisational function in transition, but for that matter the whole management function is currently experiencing a period of change. Had public relations already been an established field of study at the beginning of this transition period, the necessary adjustments to existing practices and the adaptation to external environmental changes would have proceeded with less difficulty.
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Corporate communication – adversarial, transmission, dialogical
- Tomaselli, Keyan G., Caldwell, Marc
- Authors: Tomaselli, Keyan G. , Caldwell, Marc
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Corporate communication , Public relations , Tertiary management
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/405682 , uj:34076 , Citation: Tomaselli, K.G. & Caldwell, M. 2019. Corporate communication – adversarial, transmission, dialogical.
- Description: Abstract: The trauma that followed organizational change through the twin inductions of transformation and New Public Management in some South African institutions of higher learning during the decade of the 2000s illustrates the need to pay attention to the communicative dimensions of organizational change. By means of a discussion of four kinds of workplace communication, this actual workplace study examines some specific instances of transformation and the restructuring of the tertiary South African sector, specifically, the hypothetical analytical composite New Name University (NNU) that represents an agglomeration of newly named and merged institutions that have become the visible form of the transformed edu-scape. The methodology was a lived one – action research – in that the authors were consulted by the university in which they were employed to analyze the prevailing corporate relations communication strategy and to suggest alternatives. The additional changes wrought by managerialism include new levels of bureaucracy alien to traditional academic culture, and requirements of performance management that are no less onerous. The discussion suggests that a dialogical model of communication may well have brought about a different and more inclusive outcome than those that transpired in the NNU.
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- Authors: Tomaselli, Keyan G. , Caldwell, Marc
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Corporate communication , Public relations , Tertiary management
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/405682 , uj:34076 , Citation: Tomaselli, K.G. & Caldwell, M. 2019. Corporate communication – adversarial, transmission, dialogical.
- Description: Abstract: The trauma that followed organizational change through the twin inductions of transformation and New Public Management in some South African institutions of higher learning during the decade of the 2000s illustrates the need to pay attention to the communicative dimensions of organizational change. By means of a discussion of four kinds of workplace communication, this actual workplace study examines some specific instances of transformation and the restructuring of the tertiary South African sector, specifically, the hypothetical analytical composite New Name University (NNU) that represents an agglomeration of newly named and merged institutions that have become the visible form of the transformed edu-scape. The methodology was a lived one – action research – in that the authors were consulted by the university in which they were employed to analyze the prevailing corporate relations communication strategy and to suggest alternatives. The additional changes wrought by managerialism include new levels of bureaucracy alien to traditional academic culture, and requirements of performance management that are no less onerous. The discussion suggests that a dialogical model of communication may well have brought about a different and more inclusive outcome than those that transpired in the NNU.
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