Dissertation submitted in fulfilment of the requirement for the Masters Degree of Technology: Public Relations Management, 2010. / Public relations is an important subsystem of an organisation and the effective practice of public relations is integrally bound to the health of an organisation. As such, it provides the avenue for the organisation to effectively monitor, interact and react with other key groups within the organisational environment. According to Naidoo (2007:3), “public relations has been described as synonymous to marketing. The function of public relations is becoming more confusing as initial scanning of the environment has revealed that certain organisations within the greater Durban area have merged public relations with other departments such as marketing”. Whilst some organisations may view public relations as a separate entity as opposed to marketing, others see these two functions as falling under a common umbrella. It is, therefore, evident that the boundaries between public relations and marketing are very blurred. Many organisations do not show the public relations office as an independent role. Since so many factors influence how public relations begins in organisations, public relations departments, in some organisations, have large numbers of staff and generous budgets even though the original motivations for their functions have long been forgotten and their mission is not clearly defined. Conversely, many, if not most, organisations reorganise the public relations functions, reduce the number of staff and try to do more with fewer people. Even practitioners disagree about what is the best structure and place for their functions in various types of organisations. This study, therefore, seeks to investigate the role that public relations plays within the selected corporate organisations in the greater Durban area. / National Research Foundation

Thesis (DTech (Marketing Management))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2008. / There is little doubt that public relations faces an identity crisis threatening to relegate this troubled organisational function permanently to the sidelines, unless it succeeds in reinventing itself. Such reinvention is mooted by a number of authors who propose the solution that public relations should rename itself. However, as others are quick to point out, renaming will not be the only solution, and a more extensive realignment of public relations is needed. The reinvention of public relations pertains specifically to its role in the organisation, its reputation (currently negative), and its contribution to the organisation's strategy and ethics. This thesis examines the problems beleaguering public relations and proposes that Porter's value chain analysis be used as the foundation for the reinvention of public relations. Arguments in support of the use of Porter's value chain analysis are presented, and empirical evidence supporting the likelihood of this approach succeeding is sought - and found. In conjunction with the problems surrounding public relations, the ethical landscape of the 21st Century is investigated with specific reference to unethical organisational practices so prevalent today. In proposing that Porter's value chain analysis be used to reinvent public relations, the thesis also argues that public relations can play a role in ensuring greater ethical responsibility of organisations. The relationship between public relations and marketing, so long a thorn in the side of public relations practitioners, academics, and authors, is clarified, and the organisational position of public relations is addressed. Finally, the thesis argues that public relations should see itself as a support activity in the organisation, where it is involved in organisation-wide communication support to all of the primary activities that are carried out to seek, find, create, and deliver value to customers.

This study is a qualitative investigation into the areas of corporate social investment and public relations. The study examines the significance of corporate social investment within the field of public relations with specific reference to selected KwaZulu Natal corporations. The study looks at the corporate social investment and public relations departments of five corporations in the KwaZulu Natal region. The corporations that were interviewed were selected based on their location, and the number of years of experience in the field. The five companies, namely, The South African Sugar Association, NBS Boland Bank, Hillside Aluminium (Alusaf), McCarthy Retail and Richards Bay Minerals received immense coverage on their corporate social investment initiatives, in the Mail and Guardian’s April 1998 issue, ‘Investing in the future, special focus on social investment.’ The report presents an in-depth literature review, which examines the history of both corporate social investment and public relations. It thereafter examines the current practices of public relations and corporate social investment from a South African perspective. The prevalent approach to corporate social investment is also addressed. Apart from the study of the five corporations, the report also comments on other dedicated corporate social investment programmes. The programmes of each of the five companies are contrasted with current and relevant documentation from the 1999 Business and Marketing Intelligence report. Graphs and tables complement this information. The findings reveal that there is little public relations involvement in corporate social investment initiatives because corporate social investment practitioners do not see the need for the involvement of public relations practitioners in all areas of their corporate social investment initiatives. The results of the interviews gives the reader a broad perspective of corporate social investment and public relations within each company. The findings suggest that the role of public relations needs to be re-examined in the new millennium.

Purpose of Paper: the role of public relations practitioners in state owned entities is under-researched in South Africa. This limits the practitioners in the industry to address relevant issues and opportunities about their discipline; specifically in the public sector which are widely perceived in a negative light. The aim of this paper was to explore the role of public relations practitioners in state owned entities in South Africa. Methodology: The study was qualitative in nature. It was constructed to answer the research questions using an interview schedule as a research instrument. The population comprised of the PR and communication practitioners that work in the State Owned Entities of South Africa. Findings: It was found that PR practitioners are the agents of relationship building between the SOEs and their stakeholders. It was also proved that PR practitioners have excellent skills and expertise however those are limited by the unsatisfying devaluation of communications by management and political interference in SOEs. Furthermore, negative reputation of SOEs was not mere shortfalls of PR practitioner but senior management instability. Research limitations: Due to lack of availability and co-operation of practitioners, time constrains and lack of finances, study was not able to attain the desired number of respondents (12 respondents instead of 15). Responses were not always substantial, however, the researcher attempted to achieve the most accurate results possible. Value or significance of paper: the study aimed to provide academic framework on the roles of PR practitioners in South Africa’s public sector and enhance existing knowledge on the challenges that practitioners face in different organisations.

Thesis (MPA)--Stellenbosch University, 2002. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Public Relations is a discipline where the basic concepts and functions remain the same, be it in a public or private organisation. It is ultimately a staff function, which is responsible for effective two-way communication between an organisation and its publics, both internal and external. With the transformation in the Department of Defence and ultimately the South African National Defence Force (SANDF), major changes took place structurally as well as in terms of the execution of functions on the operational level where Naval Base Simon’s Town (NB Smst) is one of the new General Support Bases of the SANDF. The Public Relations Section of NB Smst must deliver public relations services to the clients of NB Smst. The purpose of this study is to establish whether the services that the Public Relations Section delivers to its clients are in line with the expectations of the clients. An in-depth study is made of the theory of public relations, starting with the overall concept of communication. The transformation of the SANDF is discussed in detail and the concept of how public relations is supposed to be executed is researched. A needs assessment survey was done and the recommendations listed. The research established that although the Section is functioning in line with international and national principles and procedures the clients’ perceptions are that the Section does not deliver the quality of service they expect. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Openbare Skakeling is ’n dissipline waar die basiese konsepte en funksies ooreenstem binne publieke sowel as private organisasies. Dit is hoofsaaklik ’n staffunksie wat verantwoordelik is vir die effektiewe twee-rigting kommunikasie tussen ’n organisasie en sy publiek, beide intern sowel as ekstern. Met die transformasie van die Departement van Verdediging en uiteindelik die Suid- Afrikaanse Nasionale Weermag (SANW), het grootskaalse veranderinge plaasgevind, struktureel sowel as ten opsigte van die uitvoering van funksies op die operasionele vlak waar Vlootbasis Simonstad (VB Smst), een van die SANW se Algemene Steunbasisse, opereer. Die Openbare Skakelseksie van VB Smst is verantwoordelik vir die lewering van openbare skakeldienste aan die kliente van VB Smst. Die doel van hierdie studie is om te bepaal of die dienste wat deur die Openbare Skakelseksie gelewer word in lyn is met die kliente se verwagtinge. ’n In-diepte studie is gedoen ten opsigte van die teorie van openbare skakeling, beginnende met die totale konsep van kommunikasie. Die transformasie van die SANW word in detail bespreek. Dit word gevolg deur die navorsing oor hoe openbare skakeling veronderstel is om uitgevoer te word, ’n Behoeftebepaling is gedoen en aanbevelings word gelys. Die navorsing se bevindings is dat alhoewel die Seksie volgens internasionale en nasionale konsepte en prosedures funksioneer, die kliente se persepsies is dat die Seksie nie die kwaliteit dienste lewer wat hulle verwag nie.

Submitted in fulfillment of the requirement for the Masters Degree of Technology (Public Relations Management), Department of Public Relations Management, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa, 2015. / In South Africa, the media coverage and the general perceptions of the public about public hospitals have been pervasively negative and this has resulted in the overshadowing of the good work being done in hospitals. In an effort to overcome these negative perceptions, the Kwazulu-Natal Department of Health has introduced the practice of public relations in public hospitals since 2001. This effort is in line with the National Health Act 2004 (Act No 61 of 2003). The act is described by the Health Systems Trust to rest heavily on the Constitution which, amongst other things, requires the State to take reasonable legislative and other measures to progressively achieve the right of access to health care services, and reproductive health care, within its available resources. The rationale behind the introduction of public relations was that, by managing and influencing the public’s perceptions, public relations professionals in public hospitals would initiate a sequence of behaviours that would contribute towards the achievement of the hospitals’ objectives. However, are relevant stakeholders aware of the presence, the role and the functions of public relations in public hospitals? Based on the above, this study seeks to evaluate public relations practices within selected public hospitals in Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa. The study is qualitative, cross-sectional and descriptive in nature. Data will be collected through observation, questionnaires and interviews. The findings revealed that a lot more needs to be done by both the Department of Health in KwaZulu-Natal and hospital CEOs in order to benefit greatly from the practice of public relations in public hospitals as public relations practitioners are under-utilized. Issues of budget constraints, lack of public relations understanding by hospital CEOs are some of the factors impacting negatively the function of public relations in hospitals. It is more of a technical role that public relations practitioners play in public hospitals. This study came to the realisation that not enough attention is given to the practice of public relations in public hospitals. One of the major recommendations is that public relations practitioners should participate in the strategic management processes and be part of the planning process and they should use public relations strategies to build harmony between the hospital and all its external and internal publics. For public hospitals to realise the need and value from the function of public relations, they have to appreciate that the practice of public relations has grown over the years and they have to employ effective public relations practitioners in order to accomplish their goals.

A research report submitted to the Faculty of Commerce, Law and Management, University of the Witwatersrand, in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Management in Strategic Marketing, Johannesburg 2016 / Purpose – This paper investigates the brand knowledge and perceptions of South Africans living abroad. It also establishes whether South Africans living abroad are brand advocates for South Africa. Design/methodology/approach – The paper draws on key literature relating to knowledge transfer, brand advocacy and nation branding. Data were collected through a self-administered online survey to South Africans living abroad through the Brand South Africa database. Correlation, partial correlation and linear regression were used to identify linkages between knowledge transfer, brand advocacy and nation branding. Findings – The conceptual model in conjunction with the hypotheses presented is a start in the direction of establishing a framework to understanding the value of nation branding in the South African knowledge economy. Findings showed significant relation between knowledge transfer, brand advocacy and nation branding. Research limitations/implications – cross-sectional data were used and further research should examine data for multiple years in order to conduct longitudinal studies. Practical implications – The study has demonstrated that nation branding is an important concept to consider in relation to the diaspora. A strong nation brand help to increase exports, attract tourism, investment and immigration. Nation branding has become an essential part of a country’s sustainable development. Originality/value – The study analysed the relationship between knowledge transfer, brand advocacy and nation branding must be seen as a development strategy for home nations to tap the knowledge and skills of their expatriate professionals in developing economies such as South Africa. / GR2018

M. Tech. Business Administration / Residents of the municipalities of Soshanguve, Mabopane and Winterveld townships in Tshwane have protested over poor municipal service delivery since 2008. Although attempts have been made by the three municipalities to address complaints made by residents, there are dissatisfactions among ordinary residents about poor service delivery. There are few studies conducted in this regard. The study was conducted in an attempt to identify and quantify factors that are known to affect the quality of municipal services in Soshanguve, Mabopane and Winterveld as a means of assessing and finding out if interventions carried out by local governments have resulted in positive outcomes. The key objective of study was to assess the quality of municipal services that are delivered to residents of Soshanguve, Mabopane and Winterveld municipalities with a view to identify the root causes of dissatisfaction and protests made by residents. The study places a particular emphasis on the delivery of water, power and sanitation services to residents living in Soshanguve, Mabopane and Winterveld.

Dissertation submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree Master of Technology: Public Relations Management in the Faculty of Informatics and Design at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology 2013 / This study sought to understand how Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) in the Western Cape use social media to communicate with their stakeholders (from a dialogic, interactive and relational perspective). The secondary objective of the study was to explore how social media are being integrated into organisations‟ stakeholder relations management strategies in order to nurture and sustain relations. The literature review explores the relationship between social media and public relations as well as stakeholder relationship approach. The theoretical frame of the study is derived from Grunig and Hunt‟s (1984) two-way symmetrical model and Freire‟s (1970) dialogical communication. This is predominantly a qualitative study employing a two-stage design consisting of in-depth interviews and qualitative content analysis. The findings of the research revealed that the sampled NGOs are using social media in different ways to build and sustain stakeholder relations. NGOs are communicating dialogically and in a two-way manner with their stakeholders. They are using social media to pursue their strategic goals which centre on the creation of public value. The study also revealed that NGOs have integrated social media into their communication strategies. Social media platforms present an immediate and real-time contact point for NGOs and other social media users. They are used to communicate, nurture and sustain stakeholders' relations. It is also clear that social media are allowing stakeholders to connect online (establishing relationships). This creates dialogue online between NGOs and their stakeholders. The study proposes a working model of integrating social media within the ambit of NGOs communication strategies. The findings of this research show that social media channels are useful tools, however, a higher level of intelligent creator-generated input is needed to stimulate and steer conversations about desired topics, as well as monitor any user-generated content and comments. In terms of recommendations, this study argues that for social media to work there is need for integration of the management of online conversations and strategic communication

Thesis (MTech (Public Relations Management))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2011. / The purpose of this mini thesis is to investigate the research question, "What is the importance and effectiveness of public relations practice in obtaining coverage in a multimedia newspaper?" It is obvious that the introduction of the multimedia newspaper has affected the role of the public relations practitioner and the role of the journalists. But has it changed the manner in which public relations practitioners practice public relations (that is the influence of the multimedia newspaper on the public relations industry) and its value in the eyes of the multimedia journalist. The study will measure the multimedia editorial staff's opinion and perceptions of the multimedia newspapers content and public relations practice's impact on that content. The research is interested in whether the introduction of the multimedia newspaper has affected the role of the public relations practitioner and the journalists and whether it has changed the manner in which public relations practitioners practice public relations (that is the influence of the multimedia newspaper on the public relations industry). The research reviews the perceived value of public relations to journalists operating within the multimedia newspaper context.