Vincent Hazleton and William Kennan
Examines social capital as a theoretic construct with the potential to enhance our understanding of public relations contribution to the organizational bottom line. There are…
Abstract
Examines social capital as a theoretic construct with the potential to enhance our understanding of public relations contribution to the organizational bottom line. There are three classes of outcomes: increased and/or more complex forms of social capital, reduced transaction costs, and organizational advantage. Like economic capital, social capital is not always used wisely and can produce negative consequences for actors.
Details
Keywords
Hilary Fussell, Jill Harrison‐Rexrode, William R. Kennan and Vincent Hazleton
The purpose of this paper is to explore the connection between social capital, transaction costs, and organizational outcomes.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to explore the connection between social capital, transaction costs, and organizational outcomes.
Design/methodology/approach
The study is based on a survey of 176 employees of a high‐tech manufacturer of electronics located in the Mid‐Atlantic region of the USA. The survey included three self‐report measures: social capital, transaction costs, and organizational outcomes. Self‐report items were used to measure three dimensions of social capital: structure, relationships, and communication. Transaction cost items measured information exchange, problem solving, conflict management, and behavior regulation. Questions measuring organizational outcomes included quality, change, equity, and fairness.
Findings
The central finding of this research is the significant association between social capital and both transaction costs and organizational outcomes. As expected, trust served as a predictor of both transaction costs and organizational outcomes. In addition, the social capital components of access, timing, and network ties were significantly associated with transaction costs and organizational outcomes.
Research limitations/implications
The items used to measure the communication dimension of social capital did not demonstrate sufficient reliability to be entered into the analysis.
Practical implications
The results suggest an alternative approach to considering the connection between communication management and organizational achievement. This approach, also, theoretically centralizes communication and communication related concerns as foundational for social capital analysis.
Originality/value
This study offers a valuable alternative theoretic approach to understanding the impact of communication on organizational affairs.
Details
Keywords
This paper explores the relationship between workplace democracy, the improvement of internal communication and the implications for organizational transformation and competitive…
Abstract
This paper explores the relationship between workplace democracy, the improvement of internal communication and the implications for organizational transformation and competitive advantage. The internal communication function in a large South African organization was decentralized to cost center level, where communication champions were democratically elected. Survey research among two internal populations confirmed the importance of workplace democracy for the improvement of trust, information flow, face‐to‐face, and superior and subordinate communication. To a limited extent it also reduced fear to communicate. These results could theoretically be linked to an organization's ability to change, which would increase its competitive advantage.
This is a general review of the German concepts and provisions for the self‐regulation of PR practitioners. They differ from the various systems published so far in this Journal…
Abstract
Purpose
This is a general review of the German concepts and provisions for the self‐regulation of PR practitioners. They differ from the various systems published so far in this Journal (Vol. 8 No.1, 2003). The purpose of the paper is a contribution to the actual debate about the most appropriate approach to tackle ethical problems of the guild.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper first describes the structure and the procedures of the German PR Council, outlining a number of peculiarities: this body censures not only members of the supporting associations but non‐members and non‐PR professionals as well; it acts publicly; it pronounces and publishes verdicts and rebukes, and it issues specific rules of conduct in the case of uncertainties. Consequently the paper deals with the methods of conceiving codes and guidelines. It explains the differences which German practitioners discern between ethical and quality provisions. Within this context it discusses the German reservations with regard to some of the proposals of the newly formulated “Global Protocol on Ethics in Public Relations”.
Findings
This proposition induces a discussion about the ethical principles which guide the Council's endeavours. The paper proposes a shift in the moral assessment of the four Grunig models from dialogue to information activities as the prime moral challenges. As a result of these findings the paper states the Council's legitimacy.
Originality/value
Finally, the paper reports the various reactions of those who have been rebuked. It gives an evaluation of the Council's influence on the practice of PR in Germany based on new surveys and facts. The German experiences with the enforcement of codes are summarised as an ongoing process of self‐assurance of the PR guild and its public esteem.
Details
Keywords
Denise Bedford, Ira Chalphin, Karen Dietz and Karla Phlypo
Katharina Wolf and Catherine Archer
Using the theoretical lens of social capital, this paper provides insight into senior public relations (PR) professionals’ views on and attitudes towards digital communication in…
Abstract
Purpose
Using the theoretical lens of social capital, this paper provides insight into senior public relations (PR) professionals’ views on and attitudes towards digital communication in Singapore and Perth, Western Australia, and explores the fundamental question of PR purpose.
Design/methodology/approach
Drawing on Bourdieu’s theory of practice and in particular his notion of social capital, this exploratory study is based on the critical analysis of 31 semi-structured interviews with senior PR professionals in Singapore and Perth, Western Australia.
Findings
PR professionals concur with assumptions made in the extant literature regarding the potential of digital media for PR, despite broad agreement that the fundamentals of good communication have not changed. At its core PR is about counselling, relationships and the building of social capital. Hence, digital tools and platforms are typically being referred to as merely an extension of the PR toolkit. However, as illustrated within the context of influencer engagement, PR has increasingly adopted advertising-led models and has moved away from its core business of developing strategic relationships and goodwill, hence contributing to the convergence of previously distinct communication functions.
Originality/value
This paper is believed to be one of the first to look at the theory of social capital related to PR within a digital context. Further, it takes a holistic view of PR professionals’ views on working with digital media in two geographical locations that have been under-represented in scholarly work in the field of PR. While much of the extant literature has focussed on the benefits of social media for PR, this paper takes a critical look at current challenges, including the rise of social media influencers. The paper contributes to theory relevant to social capital as it looks at the convergence of the professions relevant to digital disruption and argues for PR claiming its distinctive attributes.
Details
Keywords
Resource sharing is an important element inthe national planning of library andinformation services to meet the needs ofinformation, education and culture of thewhole community at…
Abstract
Resource sharing is an important element in the national planning of library and information services to meet the needs of information, education and culture of the whole community at all levels. An overview of resource sharing practices is presented, with particular reference to the British scene. It is also argued that, with the approach of the Single Market in 1992, resource sharing should now be considered on a European scale. In conclusion, some problems associated with the practice of resource sharing are considered.