Examines Albert J. Sullivan's general theory of public relations. Shows how this theory raises ethical questions. Identifies the philosophical arguments Sullivan appeals to in support of this theory. Suggests his ideas have contributed to the development of ethical theory in public relations. (MS)

Discusses how the field of public relations has left itself vulnerable to other fields that are making inroads into public relations' traditional domain, and to critics who are filling in their own definitions of public relations. Proposes a definition and a three-dimensional framework to compare competing philosophies of public relations and to…

Examines 251 responses to a battery of 45 professional standard items. Indicates public relations professionals surveyed across the nation underestimate the current state of professional standards in the field. Finds this state of affairs, described in coorientation theory as pluralistic ignorance, suggests the field may actually hold higher…

Cites 64 journal articles, papers, book chapters, and monographs on the topic of research for measuring and evaluating public relations effectiveness published between 1963 and 1997. (PA)

Reports the results of two studies. The first determines that providing camera-ready copy is a cost-effective method of getting information published in newspapers. The second suggests that newspapers take longer to publish releases that are related to topics in the news. (MS)

Argues that collaborative public relations is unfeasible in some situations--certain kinds of conflicts require asymmetric or win-lose public relations efforts. States that practitioners sometimes perceive few degrees of freedom in how they may respond to a situation. (PA)

Reviews several popular definitions of public relations; explicates the shared elements and assumptions inherent in these definitions. Presents an alternative conceptualization of public relations based upon Herbert Blumer's symbolic interactionism. Looks to stimulate questioning and self assessment and to introduce alternative goals, ideas, and…

Gives the dictionary definition of "communications," and then suggests that communications is the last act in the process of public relations. Presents hypothetical situations to show that PR is the final implementation step in a management process rather than just "communications." Argues that some companies, however, use…

Describes a strategic program planning matrix system that enables practitioners and public relations students to analyze the public relations problem, isolate the central difficulty, establish appropriate goals, develop objectives, design a plan, and evaluate it. (SR)

Describes litigation public relations (LPR) as use of public relations techniques by attorneys to advance clients' interests. Surveys Kansas litigators about LPR; suggests that LPR is more accepted in theory than in practice and seems not to be in widespread use. Finds LPR use among litigators in organizations employing large numbers of attorneys,…

Recounts the author's experiences in 1951-52 when assisting in the nomination campaign for Dwight Eisenhower as Republican candidate for United States President. Discusses the application of public relations tools, devices, and techniques to advance the Eisenhower cause. (SR)

States that issues management has been around for 20 years, but has failed to achieve the widespread attention it deserves. Offers possible reasons for its failure, including being a victim of its own success. Provides an updated literature survey on the subject. Reviews how public policy process works and how issues develop. Describes various…

Points out that consumer product recalls are a pervasive phenomenon of enormous consequence: (1) product recalls are quantitatively and qualitatively significant; (2) product recalls vary in effectiveness; (3) numerous variables influence recall effectiveness; and (4) despite the great variance in recall outcome, and the plethora of variables, it…

Discusses how organizations can cope with opposition and thwart unsound pressures for change. Advocates knowing the situation and the climate, knowing the people involved, knowing the adversaries, knowing what to do, and knowing how to do it. (SR)

Interviews 18 public-relations professionals to provide grounding and refinement of the contingency theory of accommodation in public relations. Supports a continuum from pure accommodation to pure advocacy and a matrix of variables affecting the continuum. Concludes that the practitioners' view of their communication world offers validity to the…