Published in book form, this is a scholarly periodical of academic research in public relations, containing refereed reviews and reports of original studies. It follows the current trend toward more solidly grounded, theoretical research in a field that has only begun to mature. The studies and reviews presented represent the most contemporary thought and investigation brought to bear on this subject. Many relevant topics are discussed, including communication roles, women's issues in the feminization of the field, the concepts of symmetry and game theory, and finally, publics -- dealing with roles, risk takers, and how audiences receive, process, and retain messages on public policy issues.

The past 20 years have seen an influx of women into the practice of public relations, yet gender-based disparities in pay and advancement remain a troubling reality. As the field becomes feminized, moreover, female and male practitioners alike confront the prospect of dwindling salaries and prestige. This landmark book presents a comprehensive examination of the status of women in public relations and proposes concrete ways to achieve greater parity in education and practice. The authors integrate the theoretical literature of public relations and gender with results of a major longitudinal study of women in the field, along with illuminating focus group and interview data. Topics covered include factors contributing to sex discrimination; how public relations stacks up against other professions on gender-related issues; the challenges facing female managers and entrepreneurs; the experiences of ethnic minority professionals; the salary gap; the glass ceiling; and how to foster solutions on individual, organizational, and societal levels. This volume is an essential read for both educators and practitioners in public relations. It can be used as a course text in graduate research seminars, and also as a supplemental text in courses addressing gender issues in PR. It serves as a useful guide for young practitioners entering the profession, and provides critical insights for public relations managers.

Published in book form, this is a scholarly periodical of academic research in public relations, containing refereed reviews and reports of original studies. It follows the current trend toward more solidly grounded, theoretical research in a field that has only begun to mature. The studies and reviews presented represent the most contemporary thought and investigation brought to bear on this subject. Many relevant topics are discussed, including communication roles, women's issues in the feminization of the field, the concepts of symmetry and game theory, and finally, publics -- dealing with roles, risk takers, and how audiences receive, process, and retain messages on public policy issues.

The  past 20 years have seen an influx of women into the practice of public relations, yet gender-based disparities in pay and advancement remain a troubling reality. As the field becomes feminized, moreover, female and male practitioners alike confront the prospect of dwindling salaries and prestige. This landmark book presents a comprehensive examination of the status of women in public relations and proposes concrete ways to achieve greater parity in education and practice. The authors integrate the theoretical literature of public relations and gender with results of a major longitudinal study of women in the field, along with illuminating focus group and interview data. Topics covered include factors contributing to sex discrimination; how public relations stacks up against other professions on gender-related issues; the challenges facing female managers and entrepreneurs; the experiences of ethnic minority professionals; the salary gap; the glass ceiling; and how to foster solutions on individual, organizational, and societal levels.
 
This volume is an essential read for both educators and practitioners in public relations. It can be used as a course text in graduate research seminars, and also as a supplemental text in courses addressing gender issues in PR. It serves as a useful guide for young practitioners entering the profession, and provides critical insights for public relations managers.

This book reports findings of a three-nation study of public relations and communication management sponsored by the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) Research Foundation. The Excellence Study provides communication managers and public relations practitioners with information critical to their own professional growth, and supplies organizations with tools that help them communicate more effectively and build beneficial relations with key publics. Communication excellence is a powerful idea of sweeping scope that applies to all organizations -- large or small -- that need to communicate effectively with publics on whom the organization's survival and growth depend. The essential elements of excellent communication are the same for corporations, not-for-profit organizations, government agencies, and professional/trade associations. And they are applicable on a global basis.
The study identifies three spheres of communication excellence. These spheres consider the overall function and role of communication in organizations, and define the organization of this book. They are:
* the core or inner sphere of communication excellence -- the "knowledge base" of the communication department,
* the "shared expectations" of top communicators and senior managers about the function and role of communication, and
* the organization's culture -- the larger context that either nurtures or impedes communication excellence.
This text also examines communication excellence as demonstrated in specific programs developed for specific publics.

This book reports findings of a three-nation study of public relations and communication management sponsored by the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) Research Foundation. The Excellence Study provides communication managers and public relations practitioners with information critical to their own professional growth, and supplies organizations with tools that help them communicate more effectively and build beneficial relations with key publics. Communication excellence is a powerful idea of sweeping scope that applies to all organizations -- large or small -- that need to communicate effectively with publics on whom the organization's survival and growth depend. The essential elements of excellent communication are the same for corporations, not-for-profit organizations, government agencies, and professional/trade associations. And they are applicable on a global basis.
The study identifies three spheres of communication excellence. These spheres consider the overall function and role of communication in organizations, and define the organization of this book. They are:
* the core or inner sphere of communication excellence -- the "knowledge base" of the communication department,
* the "shared expectations" of top communicators and senior managers about the function and role of communication, and
* the organization's culture -- the larger context that either nurtures or impedes communication excellence.
This text also examines communication excellence as demonstrated in specific programs developed for specific publics.

The purpose of this second volume is to challenge and extend the field of research in public relations. Taking a proactive approach to creating a stable, yet not stagnant annual, the editors directly solicited chapters on exciting and intriguing subjects. Assuming some prior knowledge, interests, and commitment of their readers, the editors hope that each chapter's report on original research provides enough context for understanding even if the area of inquiry is new to the readers.
"Public Relations Research Annual, Volume 2," continues to advance within the discipline beyond anecdotes to practical theories and research. Educators, practitioners, and researchers will find this annual's presentations and critiques useful in creating a systematic framework for their own endeavors.

The first volume of this series features reviews of research programs, original research reports, and social scientific, historical, critical and humanistic methodologies.

The first volume of this series features reviews of research programs, original research reports, and social scientific, historical, critical and humanistic methodologies.