Thesis (M.A.)--Rowan University, 2004. / Typescript. Includes bibliographical references.

This research utilized a 1994 study administered by Marilyn Kern-Foxworth, et al. that examined the roles and status of black women in public relations, using individual and organizational discriminates.A survey of 46 questions was administered to 58 women over a seven-week period. The results offered the current profile of a black female practitioner, and suggested that both her role and status are closer to that of communication technician (low-level management) than to expert prescriber (high-level management).The study offered data not included in the original research, such as practitioner salary, region of practice, and professional affiliation. / Department of Journalism

This study explored the attitudes of public relations professionals regarding crisis communication strategies and discerned patterns of preferred crisis communication strategies through the use of Q Methodology. Using the strategies proposed by Benoit, Fink, Coombs and Lukaszewski as the basis for the concourse, a group of public relations practitioners with crisis experience were asked which crisis response strategy they preferred. Respondents fell into three factors. “Speedsters” focused on achieving a speedy response and building/maintaining the organization’s reputation during a crisis. “Character Builders” use compassion to build/maintain a favorable image and reputation. “Reactors” are focused not just on speeding up the process of resolving the crisis, but on reacting within one hour of the emergency. Coomb’s compassion strategy was favored by all three groups, but was valued most highly by the “Character Builders.” Implications for future research are discussed. / Department of Journalism

Thesis (M.A.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 2008. / The entire dissertation/thesis text is included in the research.pdf file; the official abstract appears in the short.pdf file (which also appears in the research.pdf); a non-technical general description, or public abstract, appears in the public.pdf file. Title from title screen of research.pdf file (viewed on September 22, 2008) Includes bibliographical references.

This study of Indiana hospital public relations professionals investigated factors predicting a person's participation in management decision-making. A telephone survey was conducted of professionals directing public relations activities in Indiana hospitals, yielding 55 usable responses.Each respondent was asked the likelihood he or she would be called on by top hospital management to help solve hospital problems, and the likelihood that his or her advice would be seriously considered when making major decisions about programs or policies. Each of the seven questions was answered using a Likert-type scale, with values assigned from 1.0 (highly unlikely) to 5.0 (highly likely). Values were averaged for a total "influence" score.A stepwise multiple regression measured the relationship between influence scores and eight variables: age, gender, salary, department size, education, manager score, technician score, and use of research and evaluation. Only the manager score, research score, and department size were found to be related to influence. / Department of Journalism

The purpose of this Q study was to learn the racial culture attitudes of public relations managers in charge of making decision for recruiting, hiring, communicating internally, managing clients.Twenty-one public relations managers from midwestern states: Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Michigan, Indiana, and Missouri sorted Q statements according to their philosophical beliefs concerning racial diversity in the workplace. In analyzing the Q sorts, three viewpoints were revealed; Color Blind Managers, Politically Correct Managers, and Diversity Managers."Color Blind Managers" believed that everyone should be treated equally, with no special treatment or laws that would give more help to one race over another. "Politically Correct Managers" believed equal opportunity laws and policies were discriminatory and unfair; yet conformed to orthodox liberal opinions which were sensitive to racial causes. "Diversity Managers" understood the importance of incorporating diverse cultures into everyday decision-making and still felt equal opportunity laws were needed to help society become color blind.All three factors supported equal opportunity for all individuals, but the means to creating diversity and equal opportunities were different across the factors. / Department of Journalism

In Europe, public relations are not defined, particularly, in the former USSR republics. The author examined one of the Baltic States Latvia to find out if there is a relationship between public relations practitioners' educational background to roles performed.Forty-eight public relations practitioners of two public relations associations in Latvia comprised the sample, resulting in a 42 percent response rate. The questionnaire included 23 questions dealing with education, performance, and public relations defining.Public relations practitioners in Latvia are young in age and majority of them held managerial positions and earn high wages for Latvia standards. Most of the practitioners' have communication science degrees and only 34 percent of practitioners have degrees in public relations.Public relations organizational structure and job responsibilities are in the development stage in Latvia because employees perform job functions that are not related to their job titles.Public relations in Latvia are seen as being in a "transitional stage that helps organizations enter free market." At the same time, practitioners' define public relations being mainly concerned about communication functions like publicity and image building/reputation. / Department of Journalism

While many publications comment on successful relationships, it was necessary to specifically analyze the relationship between public relations practitioners and their clients. Using traits gathered in the literature review, the researcher prepared a Q study to identify, "Which relationship traits do agency representatives and client counterparts find most important?"Subjects included principals of agencies listed in the 2004 Indianapolis Business Journal's "Book of Lists," and their clients. Each respondent ranked the Q statements two times, once reflecting their own attitudes and another reflecting the attitudes of their counterpart.Of the twelve traits studied, eight were ranked as highly important to participants. Also, the researcher surmised that clients better understand their relationships, ranking three of five traits as highly important when assuming their counterparts' roles. In contrast, agency partners ranked two of the five traits that their counterparts found highly important. / Department of Journalism

Public relations has been expanding internationally during the last few decades. This has generated interest for public relations research in different parts of the world. The scholars urge the community to continue investigating the public relations practice globally. The proposed exploratory study of public relations in Armenia has described and explained the patterns and factors of public relations in the country as practiced in organizations. It was an attempt to investigate public relations practice in Armenia in lines with the socio-cultural and environmental models and theories employed for studying global public relations. The overarching purpose of the study was to understand the specifics that define public relations in Armenia from the perspective of the practitioners. The study applied qualitative and quantitative research methods to look into the function, value and role of public relations in organizations operating in Armenia. The accumulated data and derived knowledge shall identify the avenues of growth and contribute to empowering the best practices of the profession. Secondly, the study shall be a modest contribution to the scholarship and literature pertaining to global public relations. / Department of Journalism

Thesis (M.Com. (Communication Management))-University of Pretoria, 2003. / Includes bibliographical references. Available on the Internet via the World Wide Web.