Search results

1 – 9 of 9
Per page
102050
Citations:
Loading...
Access Restricted. View access options
Article
Publication date: 9 May 2008

Piet Verhoeven

This paper aims at providing a theoretical perspective to study the effects of the communication management/public relations of organizations on the social cohesion of…

2332

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims at providing a theoretical perspective to study the effects of the communication management/public relations of organizations on the social cohesion of individuals, groups and societies.

Design/methodology/approach

The possible connections between communication management and social cohesion, social integration and diversity are explored by looking at the concept of social capital. After discussing aspects of the hypothesis of decreasing social capital and of the hypothesis of increasing contingency of Western societies, questions are raised about the societal role of communication management as a profession that is usually described as being concerned with building relations. To study questions like these empirically, the actor network theory (ANT) is suggested as an analytical perspective and a methodological approach to elaborate the position of reflective communication management.

Findings

ANT or the sociology of associations seems a suitable theoretical perspective for studying the relations between communication management, social capital and social cohesion. ANT sheds a light on fact and meaning construction, on issues of power and framing and on coalition building activities and translation: who is bridging or bonding with whom and with what consequences?

Originality/value

Research from the perspective of ANT could result in a comprehensive understanding of communication management/public relations incorporating functionalistic, social psychological, relationship and rhetorical approaches.

Details

Journal of Communication Management, vol. 12 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1363-254X

Keywords

Access Restricted. View access options
Article
Publication date: 4 April 2016

Jesper Falkheimer, Mats Heide, Charlotte Simonsson, Ansgar Zerfass and Piet Verhoeven

The purpose of this paper is to examine and analyze the prevailing form of rationality that governs the challenges, goals and roles of communication professionals. The authors…

4821

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine and analyze the prevailing form of rationality that governs the challenges, goals and roles of communication professionals. The authors will also explore alternative forms of rationality and discuss what these would imply.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is based on survey results from The European Communication Monitor (ECM) and qualitative interviews with communication managers in Sweden. First, the authors present the ECM data and the Swedish interview material, i.e. the authors depict the practitioners’ perceptions of what they understand as important work tasks and roles. The interviews focus on the actual practices of linking communication goals to business goals. Second, the results are challenged from a reflexive perspective, using theories from the paradox turn and questioning the “taken-for-granted thinking” in corporate communications.

Findings

The ECM data show that the main challenge in practice is “linking business strategy and communication.” The Swedish respondents stand out when it comes to “building and maintaining trust” since this is considered to be almost as important. The qualitative interview study strengthens the results in the ECM. The interviewees seem to do their work according to the traditional management agenda – i.e. they break down overall business goals and translate these to measurable communication goals. The results are reflected upon using paradox theory. Two paradoxes are discussed: between managerialism and professionalism, and strategic generalists and operational specialists.

Research limitations/implications

The study is based on survey data that have been collected through a convenience sample, and the interview study is a pilot study.

Practical implications

The paper focuses conflicts between normative practitioner ideals and reality, and helps practitioners to reflect upon mainstream thinking.

Originality/value

Based on the empirical findings in the ECM, the interviews and the theoretical framework, the authors conclude that if the idea of The Communicative Organization is to be fruitfully realized, it is necessary to depart from a multi-dimensional rationality and question ideas that are taken for granted. The use of paradox theory and concepts such as functional stupidity is rather original in corporate communication research. Additional research could further explore paradoxes in order to spark dialogue, which may undermine one-dimensional thinking and functional stupidity.

Details

Corporate Communications: An International Journal, vol. 21 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1356-3289

Keywords

Available. Content available
Article
Publication date: 30 January 2009

427

Abstract

Details

Corporate Communications: An International Journal, vol. 14 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1356-3289

Access Restricted. View access options
Article
Publication date: 2 February 2015

Ralph Tench and Angeles Moreno

The principle focus of the European Communication Professional Skills and Innovation (ECOPSI) Research project reported in this paper is to develop understanding of the…

1764

Abstract

Purpose

The principle focus of the European Communication Professional Skills and Innovation (ECOPSI) Research project reported in this paper is to develop understanding of the competences held by senior communication practitioners and the contributing knowledge, skills and personal attributes that are relevant to their role. The paper aims to discuss this issue.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper is based on 24 months of desk and empirical work by the research team in three core phases: the benchmarking report based on literature reviews in each country region; quantitative data collection from communication practitioners in 42 countries across Europe; qualitative data from 53 interviews across four senior practitioner roles in the six regions of the study’s focus.

Findings

The findings highlight the competencies needed by senior practitioners through the creation of the Communication Role Matrix with critical evaluation of the current contemporary issues faced by the sector.

Research limitations/implications

The authors acknowledge a limitation of the study regarding the selection of the four studied professional roles. ECOPSI has proven a common understanding of theses four studied roles in Europe, but further research on the competencies of diverse roles performed in the profession would need to be explored for a more comprehensive appreciation of the full spectrum of public relations and strategic communication practice.

Practical implications

The paper draws together findings from across Europe and presents a practical interpretation of the project in the form of an online self-diagnostic tool based on an online portal for practitioners to self-complete.

Social implications

The programme improves the professionalism of practitioners across Europe and their ability to work across borders in a European and wider international community of communication practitioners.

Originality/value

This study benchmarks the educational and practice landscape in six key regions of Europe to demonstrate that the elements focusing on skills, knowledge and personal attributes of European communication professionals can be synthesised using competences as the foundational element. The originality is also reflected in the self-diagnostic tool for the project based on an online portal.

Details

Journal of Communication Management, vol. 19 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1363-254X

Keywords

Access Restricted. View access options
Article
Publication date: 1 May 1986

Piet Koehorst and Willem Verhoeven

In our first article, we looked at numerous sources of ineffectiveness and inefficiency. Our second article demonstrated that certain popular economy measures do not have the…

253

Abstract

In our first article, we looked at numerous sources of ineffectiveness and inefficiency. Our second article demonstrated that certain popular economy measures do not have the desired effect. On the basis of this analysis, we conclude our series with a third article containing a number of suggestions as to how to improve the effectiveness of industrial training. We also describe briefly the way we are attempting to boost effectiveness in the Netherlands.

Details

Journal of European Industrial Training, vol. 10 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0309-0590

Access Restricted. View access options
Article
Publication date: 1 March 1986

Piet Koehorst and Willem Verhoeven

Companies spend a great deal of money on industrial training. In our practice as training consultants within the Netherlands Post and Telecommunication Administration, we come…

242

Abstract

Companies spend a great deal of money on industrial training. In our practice as training consultants within the Netherlands Post and Telecommunication Administration, we come across many reasons why this training effort does not have the desired effects. This article is the first of a series of three in which we share the results of our field studies on this subject and our ideas for improving the effectiveness and efficiency of industrial training. The first article focuses on sources of ineffectiveness and inefficiency of training efforts.

Details

Journal of European Industrial Training, vol. 10 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0309-0590

Access Restricted. View access options
Article
Publication date: 7 November 2016

Dejan Vercic and Ansgar Zerfass

Why are excellent communication departments actually outstanding? The purpose of this paper is to address this question from a multidisciplinary perspective and identify two…

4014

Abstract

Purpose

Why are excellent communication departments actually outstanding? The purpose of this paper is to address this question from a multidisciplinary perspective and identify two different strands of the excellence debate, one from general management and the other from public relations and communication management. Insights from both perspectives are combined in a new approach – the comparative excellence framework (CEF). This framework has been applied in two studies among 3,691 communication departments across Europe. Characteristics of excellence identified in this empirical exercise are described. The results are then matched with insights from the excellence literature to test the plausibility of the new approach.

Design/methodology/approach

A literature survey has been used to identify current excellence approaches and to build the comparative framework. In the empirical part, two subsequent editions of an annual online survey of communication professionals across Europe were used to test the approach. Excellent departments were identified across four dimensions: advisory influence, executive influence, success and competence. Approximately one-fifth of each sample was identified as excellent.

Findings

The study shows that excellent communication departments are not simply better at communication; they are different. The characteristics identified are in line with popular organizational excellence models from management theory. Excellent departments employ different people (more experienced, with higher positions and in more strategic roles); they partner and collaborate more closely with the executive board and other departments in the organization; they base their work on different processes with more listening and research; and they produce more products at the strategic level, like overall communication and messaging strategies. There is also a strong congruence with excellence theory in communication management.

Research limitations/implications

The CEF uses a limited number of variables to distinguish excellent from other communication departments. This is typical for excellence approaches based on benchmarking and self-assessments. It helps to apply such approaches in practice. The empirical testing is based on data collected on one continent (Europe). Further research should employ data from other regions of the world and test whether results vary.

Practical implications

In its pragmatic simplicity, the CEF is a viable tool for practitioners for the assessment of communication department and for establishing a quality control system. It can also guide the development of training and education in communication management.

Originality/value

The paper demonstrates that communication management research fits into a larger stream of research in the field of quality management.

Details

Journal of Communication Management, vol. 20 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1363-254X

Keywords

Access Restricted. View access options
Article
Publication date: 1 April 1986

Piet Koehorst and Willem Verhoeven

In our first article, we looked at a large number of sources of ineffectiveness and inefficiency in industrial training. Most of the problems are related to the way line managers…

106

Abstract

In our first article, we looked at a large number of sources of ineffectiveness and inefficiency in industrial training. Most of the problems are related to the way line managers deal with training questions. To many line managers, it is far from obvious that a great deal of thought needs to be give to effectiveness. But the situation is different in the case of senior management and the management of training departments. They are trying to take measures to improve effectiveness and efficiency. In this article, the second of three, we also express some doubts as regards measures which are popular in those circles.

Details

Journal of European Industrial Training, vol. 10 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0309-0590

Available. Content available
Book part
Publication date: 8 May 2004

Abstract

Details

Fostering Productivity: Patterns, Determinants and Policy Implications
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-84950-840-7

1 – 9 of 9
Per page
102050