Toyota faced a massive international recall crisis in 2009 that threatened to destroy its image in relation to the quality and safety of its vehicles. The majority of Toyota’s recalls were issued in the United States, where Toyota was heavily scrutinized in media coverage. This exploratory study examines media and public relations content to examine how the media framed the crisis, and how Toyota framed image repair efforts during the crisis. It explores the foundations of image and communication, drawing upon William James and Jürgen Habermas, in addition to the theoretical underpinnings of impression management and framing analysis (e.g., Goffman, 1959; 1974), source selection (e.g. Hall et al., 1978), and image repair and crisis communication (e.g., Benoit, 1997; Coombs, 2007). Qualitative framing analysis is employed to code and analyze data sourced from three American newspapers, as well as Toyota U.S.A.’s press releases during the crisis period. The framing analysis revealed the fundamental role of customers and industry experts in defining a crisis when an organization’s credibility is diminished in the media, as well as the strong presence of culturally embedded themes in media framing. Toyota’s recovery was strongly linked to its actions to communicate transparently, remedy the situation, and demonstrate cultural sensitivity to its American customers. Drawing upon the findings, this study provides general recommendations for corporate crisis communication at the various stages of issue management, the crisis, and post-crisis.

M.Ed. / In this research project, attempts have been made to find ways and means to address the financial needs of Kathorus schools. The concept of financing schools through establishment of sound external relations has been discussed as one possible mechanism to give broad access to education opportunities. Such mechanisms will enable students to participate actively in their educational careers. Funding of schools through establishing of a sound external relation will not be successful if developed in a vacuum. Therefore, the process will require a new and intelligent approach to private sector with the development of new kinds of skills and knowledge. Reorientation courses for school principals should be pursued so that a paradigm shift can be achieyed in relation to a sound external relation aimed at financing of education. In conclusion, the following statements describe some of the principles discussed in this project document: • • Private sector should form an integral part of educational funding system . School governance should be 'in conjunction with the community (partnership) structures and stakeholders in the institutions, while conforming to the national policy framework.

M.A. (Communications) / Please refer to full text to view abstract

The thesis is focused on the research of PR strategies of non-profit organizations in Slovakia. Thesis defines the area of PR and the non-profit sector separately and then connects and examines them. Research applied methods of questionnaire construction and in-depth interviews. Based on research results PR recommendations for non-profit organizations and recommendations for systemic changes within nonprofit sector in Slovakia are drawn up.

"Recently, Schools of Education have been carrying on studies that will help one to clarify the scope of the leadership program and to justify what the position of the elementary principal is in the public relations program. Indications from many of these studies point to the fact that there must be integration between the thinking and doing, and that the major responsibility of the principal of today is to secure various supervisory techniques for providing these experiences. Integration between the teaching practices and sound principles of education is the responsibility of the principal in the over-all program, such integration involves the process of dealing with human beings. Therefore, this paper is concerned primarily with the duties and responsibilities of the principal in the planning, with the faculty, of a program that is appropriate for his own individual school and the needs of the community. Publicity may assist in enlisting a common understanding of the educational standards, leading to moral and financial support from the community, but the problem to stress is a successful, well-planned program for boys and girls. The need for this kind of a program is most important for improving status and promoting the advancement of the professions in relations with the public"--Introduction. / "January, 1956." / Typescript. / "Submitted to the Graduate Council of Florida State University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science." / Advisor: Marian W. Black, Professor Directing Study. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 48-49).

"The principal considers the 'how' as important as the 'what'. Success in developing a school program in which understandings and improvements grow in the most desirable way is dependent on how it is done. How can the principal grow in leadership ability? How can the principal help teachers to become enthusiastic about their school programs? How can the principal help children to interpret their school to parents, friends, and laymen? How can the principal help parents and the general public realize their responsibility for a modern program of elementary education? These responsibilities and opportunities place demands upon the elementary school principal which he can rarely meet without systematic preparation for doing so. This preparation may be gained, at least in large part, by (a) growing in his own leadership ability, (b) by giving attention to principal-teacher relationships, (c) by giving attention to principal-pupil relationships, and (d) by the optimum utilization of people and common media of communication in the school community. This paper presents a study of the ways by which the principal can do each of these"--Introduction. / Typescript. / "February, 1951." / "Submitted to the Graduate Council of Florida State University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Education." / Advisor: H. A. Curtis, Professor Directing Paper. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 55-57).

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / The importance of image management has created the need to for organizations to continually work in order to improve their image or defend it against perceived threats. Since organizations engage in a constant struggle to preserve their reputation, it is important to understand the persuasive discourse associated with image repair strategies. In addition, a successful rhetor must also acknowledge the importance of perception of the appropriateness and effectiveness of the apologetic discourse from the perspective of an audience. Focus groups were conducted and analyzed in order to better understand the perceived appropriateness and effectiveness of the image repair strategies employed by the Big Three Automakers as perceived by the audience. The findings of this study complement the original findings of Benoit and Drew’s quantitative study assessing the appropriateness and effectiveness of image repair strategies in an interpersonal setting. However, there were observable differences between the studies in terms of the perception of both the appropriateness and effectiveness of bolstering and the effectiveness of differentiation. The implications of these differences can be important in developing a better understanding of the utilization of image repair strategies in the apologetic discourse of organizations. Specifically, the results demonstrate how the audience determines the appropriateness and effectiveness of the strategies and how rhetors are able to successfully use different strategies based in context.

This study evaluates the impacts of brand storytelling on customers of a craft brewery and distillery in East Tennessee. Brand storytelling is well researched, but has not been applied to niche sectors and customer response. The study consisted of a 15-question survey distributed to customers of Tennessee Hills Distillery and Brewstillery (TN Hills), and received 139 responses. The results were that despite a seeming trend of lack of engagement with the business, respondents value brand stories and can identify unique brand characteristics. Respondents’ answers reflected a personal connection with TN Hills, and connected the brand to grander ideals like the American Dream, community acceptance, and legacy. Thus, customers’ feelings toward a business are influenced by brand storytelling.

Ukraine, just as many other countries that were part of the former Soviet Union, is suffering from the problem of bribery. The public relations field in Ukraine is not immune to corruption, and bribery between public relations professionals and journalists is a well-known phenomenon. In the current qualitative study, the goal was to explore the attitudes of Ukrainian public relations professionals toward bribery and to create a guide for doing business in Ukraine. Through a semistructured survey, the researcher obtained the perceptions of Ukrainian public relations professionals toward bribery, including the definition of bribery, the differentiation between bribery and traditional gift giving in Ukrainian culture, assumptions regarding the situations in which bribery occurs, and the magnitude of the problem in Ukrainian society. The analysis of the responses showed a dual nature in the public relations professionals' attitudes toward bribery. The participants defined bribery as a negative action; however, they believed that bribery occurs regularly even though the participants indicated they had not personally participated in bribery transactions. The participants also reported that bribery occurs between public relations firms and clients. The participants also shared some positive attitudes toward bribery, indicating bribery is a method of achieving goals in business. Additionally, the participants indicated bribery is more common in smaller cities than in large cities, such as the capital. The findings of the study indicate that public relations education and professional training need to include an emphasis on ethical behavior, ensuring public relations professionals in Ukraine have a better understanding of the importance of ethics in the public relations profession.

The purpose of this thesis is to provide a description of the emerging state of the public relations field in Albania under the framework and influence of four main public relations worldviews including persuasive/marketing, relationship management, community building, and personal influence. This study seeks to give insights into how an emerging country in the field of public relations approaches the development of the field; whether it adapts, adopts or creates new practices. The research design proposed by the author aims to shed some light on possible theoretical meanings and themes that could be developing in countries where the field of public relations is emerging. Based on the findings and the underdeveloped nature of public relations as identified in this study, the author proposes a training program for public relations practitioners and professors that would help to advance the development of the field in Albania.