Focus: Public Relations

Abstract: our research endeavors to provide the current reality of gender equality in the profession of public relations in the geographic region of America (i.e., North America and South America). Specifically, we explore the perceptions of gender equality in four regions in America, including North America, Northern South America, Central America and the Caribbean, and Southern South America. By […]

Abstract: Crucibles are essential in the development of leaders. Crucibles refer to trials and challenges that test and mold the character, values, and behavior of leaders. Through in-depth interviews with 31 public relations leaders, we examined how crucible experiences specifically shaped them to practice servant leadership. Through the narratives they constructed about these experiences, we […]

Abstract: To further the understanding of how communication executives make tough calls in times of organizational-public conflict, we use a conjoint analysis to identify key drivers for organizational stance decision-making. This is the first-ever conjoint analysis applied to advancing the contingency theory of strategic conflict management by examining the relative importance of key contingency factors […]

Abstract: Women who aspire to leadership positions in public relations have to develop political astuteness when it comes to addressing ascribed identities and expectations associated with gender and race. Through 51 in-depth interviews with women working in mid-management and senior-executive level positions in public relations in the U.S., this study provides new insights into women’s […]

Abstract: The purpose of this research is to introduce inclusive leadership as a new theoretical framework to understand its meaning and functions in advancing gender equalities and empowerment in public relations leadership. By proposing an inclusive leadership theoretical model, we explored the roles of inclusive leadership in fostering an organization’s diversity climate and facilitating its […]

Yan Jin (PI), Shelley Spector (Co-PI), and Taylor Voges (PhD Candidate, Co-PI). “The Power of Myth and Truth: Uncovering the History and Growing Role of Native Americans in Public Relations.” The Arthur W. Page Center for Integrity in Public Communication, Penn State University ($7,040), 2022-2023. Description: This proposed project aims to make the diverse voices of Native Americans heard louder and […]

Abstract: Women who aspire to leadership positions in public relations have to develop political astuteness when it comes to addressing ascribed identities and expectations associated with gender and race. Through 51 in-depth interviews with women working in mid-management and senior-executive level positions in public relations in the U.S., this study provides new insights into women’s […]

Kim, Hanyoung (Grady PhD Candidate and now assistant professor at University of Houston) and Jeong-Yeob Han won 2021 Enzaim Best Article Award (2nd place) from Korea Health Communication Association, in recognition of the work ‘Hope in the Depths of Despair: Theorizing about Hope in the Fear Appeal Context.

Abstract: The rise of a professional career presents women in today’s public relations profession an intense challenge in balancing professional and family responsibilities. Therefore, this study investigates female public relations professionals’ perceptions of work-family conflict in their daily life. Specifically, we focused our research on women working in the professions of communication and public relations […]

Dr. Meng serves as an invited panelist to discuss how the double pandemic—the virus and racial reckoning—is continuing to shape resilience, resourcefulness and reform in our industry and how educators can help students test and stretch their resilience in the classroom.