Public Relations: Economics vs. Communication Science – Effects of Education on the Practice in Austrian Non-Profit Organisations

Abstract

Little is known about the effects of education on the practice of PR. This chapter aims at demonstrating the differences between economics-educated practitioners and communication-educated practitioners. Based on a quantitative survey among 790 practitioners working in non-profits in Austria, the research presented here sheds light on the influences of education on thinking and acting by practitioners in communication practice. Although public relations are not a protected profession, education has become an on-going topic in public relations literature and practice. Furthermore, education for public relations increasingly takes place in various environments. Courses available range from one-day seminars at community colleges to PR-specific studies. Furthermore, public relations are not only a topic in communications-related studies, but also in economics and humanities. The results highlight the differences in practice in relation to the education.

Citation

Spatzier, A. (2016), "Public Relations: Economics vs. Communication Science – Effects of Education on the Practice in Austrian Non-Profit Organisations", The Management Game of Communication (Advances in Public Relations and Communication Management, Vol. 1), Emerald Group Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 23-43. https://doi.org/10.1108/S2398-391420160000001002