This research examines the importance of measurement in the communications industry and business in general, the insufficiency of measurement in communications, how communications…
Abstract
Purpose
This research examines the importance of measurement in the communications industry and business in general, the insufficiency of measurement in communications, how communications professionals' measurement needs are changing, obstacles to meeting measurement needs, and the potential benefits from understanding the link between intangibles and business value.
Design/methodology/approach
Research methods used to link communications activities to business outcomes included statistical analysis (collecting, evaluating, and drawing conclusions from data) of intangible assets, or non‐accounting, non‐financial business drivers such as people, ideas and relationships. Measurement data was based on information companies already owned, including media content analysis data and employee survey results.
Findings
Pilot studies have demonstrated that this model will provide greater insight into how intangibles such as communication activities contribute to business outcomes that matter to senior management and will eliminate the obstacles to measurement – concerns about expense, fear of results, and isolation of the effect of individual activities.
Originality/value
This discussion is essential to understanding that the communications industry in particular and corporations as a whole need a way to add meaning to the data they already have; to link existing data to business outcomes; and to demonstrate that effective communications activities and other intangibles move organizations toward their business objectives.
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Reviews the latest management developments across the globe and pinpoints practical implications from cutting‐edge research and case studies.
Abstract
Purpose
Reviews the latest management developments across the globe and pinpoints practical implications from cutting‐edge research and case studies.
Design/methodology/approach
Scans the top 400 management publications in the world to identify the most topical issues and latest concepts. These are presented in an easy‐to‐digest briefing of no more than 1,500 words.
Findings
We're often told that a company's most valuable asset is its workforce. Few would argue with that. But with trust in large organizations sinking ever lower, then surely a good reputation comes a pretty close second. Indeed, in the aftermath of Enron, WorldCom and other high‐profile scandals, a good reputation has never been more important.
Practical implications
Provides strategic insights and practical thinking that have influenced some of the world's leading organizations.
Originality/value
The briefing saves busy executives and researchers hours of reading time by selecting only the very best, most pertinent information and presenting it in a condensed and easy‐to‐digest format.
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The purpose of this paper is to present the views of three experts on what, in the light of the article “Google in China: government censorship and corporate reputation”, Google…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to present the views of three experts on what, in the light of the article “Google in China: government censorship and corporate reputation”, Google should do next.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper presents the opinions of three experts.
Findings
The findings include recommendations about how Google should cope with the censorship issue, strive for greater consistency in its outlook with regard to social and ethical issues, and modify its organizational behaviour.
Originality/value
The paper offers an insight into the opinions of three business experts. The case of Google may well have relevance for other businesses.
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The purpose of this paper is to examine how corporate executives of companies are using blogging as a new communications channel.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine how corporate executives of companies are using blogging as a new communications channel.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper presents an overview of the blogging phenomenon, placing it in context of the larger growth of Web 2.0 and user‐generated content. The paper provides the reader with a primer on blogs and how they can be used effectively by executives, as well as looking at the importance of monitoring the blogosphere for what is being said by and about a company.
Findings
Over 50 corporate CEOs were found who are presently engaged in blogging. The research also identifies companies where employees have been fired for blogging and presents best practices in blogging and blog policies.
Research limitations/implications
The principal limitation of the research is that as blogging is a rapidly growing and evolving area, the present results on executive blogging are accurate only for the moment. The implications of this research are that it provides the foundation for surveying not only the status of blogging by managers but also an agenda for blogging research, which might examine blogging behaviours, develop blog metrics and look toward the return on investment of blogging.
Practical implications
The paper reveals the benefits of managerial blogging for both the company and the individual. It also examines issues concerned with human resources, financial disclosure and policy development that have arisen because of the rise of blogging within companies.
Originality/value
The paper represents a timely review of a rapidly evolving social network and its associated communications technology, providing both management practitioners and academicians with insights into managing in a new age.
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Sheri L. Erickson, Mary Stone and Marsha Weber
This case study analyzes Countrywide Financial’s responses to its recent financial crisis and illustrates the use of communication theory and image restoration strategies by…
Abstract
This case study analyzes Countrywide Financial’s responses to its recent financial crisis and illustrates the use of communication theory and image restoration strategies by utilizing several crisis response frameworks. The study uses a critical analysis methodology to examine the communication strategies employed by Countrywide, a large mortgage lending company in order to attempt to restore its image. The authors look at excerpts from media stories, carefully examine the language used by company representatives in response to the banking crisis, and categorize the corporate communications into various strategies as defined in the crisis communication literature. Countrywide faced several crisis situations during the period of this study, including the subprime mortgage crisis, public criticism of its CEO’s executive compensation package, allegations of insider trading, and financial difficulties. Corporate responses are critical in determining what amount of damage is done to the firm’s image during a crisis. Countrywide responded to these situations most often using the strategies of image bolstering, reducing the credibility of its accuser, and minimizing the crisis (Benoit, 1995). Through these communications, the company attempted to appear well established and untarnished. It also criticized the media, the courts, and the regulators in an attempt to reduce their credibility. Countrywide made no deliberate attempt to admit fault or to take measures to prevent the problem from reoccurring.
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Mary Welch and Paul R. Jackson
Effective internal communication is crucial for successful organisations as it affects the ability of strategic managers to engage employees and achieve objectives. This paper…
Abstract
Purpose
Effective internal communication is crucial for successful organisations as it affects the ability of strategic managers to engage employees and achieve objectives. This paper aims to help organisations improve internal communication by proposing theory with the potential to improve practice.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper identifies gaps in the academic literature and addresses calls for discussion and definition of internal communication, for theory on its mandates, scope and focus and to counteract the tendency to treat employees as a uni‐dimensional “single public”. To address these gaps, internal communication is defined and positioned within the corporate communication school of thought.
Findings
The paper proposes an Internal Communication Matrix which could be used to supplement other forms of internal situational analysis and as an analytical tool which may be applied to the strategic analysis, planning and evaluation of internal communication.
Practical implications
Strategic communication practitioners are offered a fresh perspective from which to consider internal communication. The Internal Communication Matrix proposed here could be used to supplement other forms of internal situational analysis and as an analytical tool which may be applied to the strategic analysis, planning and evaluation of internal communication. The internal corporate communication concept offers a lens through which communicators can consider communication strategy and tactics.
Originality/value
This paper's theoretical contribution is significant as it addresses gaps in the literature on internal communication. It does this by conceptualising a multidimensional stakeholder approach summarised in the Internal Communication Matrix. This approach is significant since it broadens previous approaches. The paper introduces the concept of internal corporate communication and argues that it should be a key focus for corporate communication theory and practice as it concerns all employees.
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The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate how e‐mail may promote effective internal communication in three key areas.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate how e‐mail may promote effective internal communication in three key areas.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper presents a case study of a service‐orientated group of social businesses in the not‐for‐profit sector, where a triangulated approach is employed, a three‐factor model of effective e‐mail use is proposed. Using focus groups, diaries and survey, the impact of e‐mail was investigated on four key dimensions of internal communication at Parkside Housing Group.
Findings
Whilst overall e‐mail was found to be less influential than face‐to‐face communication, e‐mail was found to positively and specifically influence: the communication climate, where it provides a mechanism for staff to feed their views up the organisation; shared objectives and goal alignment, where it helps staff to understand the overarching goals of the organisation (the “bigger picture”); and perceived external prestige – the construed external image of the organisation – by helping the organisation to share positive publicity, and its successes, amongst staff.
Practical implications
When e‐mail is used in organisations according to the three‐factor model, it is proposed that it can have a positive impact on internal communication and subsequently organisational performance.
Originality/value
This is the first time the impact of e‐mail on internal communication has been investigated, from a corporate communicator's perspective, and with the number of mailboxes worldwide growing year on year, and an increasing awareness of the importance of employees as key stakeholders, this study is original, relevant and timely.
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Oliver Lukason and Tiia Vissak
This paper aims to find out what kind of export and failure risk patterns exist among young Estonian manufacturing exporters and explore their interlinkages.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to find out what kind of export and failure risk patterns exist among young Estonian manufacturing exporters and explore their interlinkages.
Design/methodology/approach
The sample consisted of 208 young Estonian manufacturing exporters. Based on internationalization literature, export patterns were detected with a consecutive three-stage clustering of export sales share from total sales, outside-Europe sales share from export sales and number of target markets, while failure risk patterns were detected by clustering failure probabilities obtained from a universal prediction model. The interconnection of export patterns with financial ratios and failure risk patterns was studied with statistical tests.
Findings
Six main internationalization patterns existed. In all, 49 per cent of firms exported to a single European market and their export share was constantly very low, while even most of the firms with high export shares (39 per cent of the sample) were also active on one European market. In terms of failure risk patterns, 49 per cent of firms had constantly very low failure risk, while 51 per cent of firms had medium risk. Higher export engagement did not lead to better financial performance or lower failure risk.
Originality/value
This study is the first to find out if firms following different export patterns are also characterized by specific financial performance and failure risk. In addition, studies encompassing young exporters’ specific target markets and failure risk development are rare. While exporters’ and non-exporters’ financial performance differences have been frequently documented in favor of the former, this study found no such differences for different types of young exporters.
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The aim of this paper is to focus on the engagements and interactions – both conflictive and collaborative – that exist between corporations and NGOs. It documents the variegated…
Abstract
Purpose
The aim of this paper is to focus on the engagements and interactions – both conflictive and collaborative – that exist between corporations and NGOs. It documents the variegated ways that NGOs target small, medium, and large firms through anti‐corporate campaigns, boycotts, demonstrations, protests, and other advocacy initiatives. It aims to explore the emerging pattern of crosscutting alliances and partnerships between corporations and NGOs.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper is a literature review that covers a number of commentaries, essays, reports, scholarly articles, media sources, and textbooks, through which a number of keywords such as activists, corporate, corporations, crisis, diplomacy, NGO, strategic, strategies, and tactics were typed into specialized search engines to identify and select the most pertinent and robust writings on the subject.
Findings
The findings suggest that NGOs have come to realize that anti‐corporate demonstrations, organized boycotts, and protests can be far more effective and powerful than anti‐government campaigns, particularly when targeting established, reputable global brands. In response, corporations have attempted to identify and select the available areas and opportunities to cooperate with NGOs in order to cement fruitful and self‐reinforcing relationships.
Research limitations/implications
Evidently, to build their images and reputations, corporations are deeply interested in establishing dialogues and relationships with activists, NGOs, and their competitors, and also trying to gain support from agencies and individuals who can speak out favorably: particularly to consumers, politicians, regulators, and the media.
Originality/value
This paper can help activists, business executives, leaders, managers, NGOs, scholars, and students to better understand the evolution, nature, and scope of these complex interactions.