Juan Meng, Pan, P., & Michael A. Cacciatore (2023). “The integrated role of adaptive leadership, sense of empathy, and communication transparency: A novel approach to trust building in public relations.” Research paper accepted to present at the 73rd annual conference of the International Communication Association (ICA), May 25-29, 2023, Toronto, Canada.
Abstract: By adopting the theoretical framework of adaptive leadership, this research is designed to explore how an organization’s top leadership can support related adaptive action in strategic communication. Particularly, we hope to explore whether the application of adaptive leadership could facilitate a higher level of communication transparency, as well as deliver the sense of caring and empathy in COVID-19 communication. We used the adaptive leadership theory (Heifetz et al., 2009) as the main theoretical framework to guide our research. Adaptive leadership has been used effectively to explain how leaders encourage productive change across multiple levels, including self, organizational, community, and societal. An international online survey was designed and conducted for this study. Results confirmed that the perceived impact of the COVID-19 pandemic increased communication professionals’ challenge in building trust. It also drives adaptive changes in their coping action in strategic communication. More importantly, the top leadership within the organization played a key role in this adaptive leadership environment by demonstrating commitment to transparency in COVID-19 communication and delivering a sense of empathy during the pandemic.
Neill, M.S. & Juan Meng (accepted, 2023). “Examining the characteristics and virtues associated with servant leadership in public relations.” Public Relations Inquiry, forthcoming.
Abstract: Are servant leadership and ethics of care being practiced by public relations leaders? This study involved in-depth interviews with 32 public relations leaders working in a variety of organizational settings in the United States and provided insights from men and women, including people of color. We found evidence of an “other oriented approach” to leadership that involved prioritizing the needs and concerns of employees and a genuine concern for the wellbeing of others. The findings are consistent with characteristics associated with both servant leadership and ethics of care. The public relations leaders were able to provide specific examples of how these perspectives impacted their decision making and specific ways they demonstrate that they care about their employees.
Juan Meng & Neill, M. S. (2023). “Diversifying gender equity in leadership in public relations: The role of mentoring and instrumental support at the organizational level.” Corporate Communications: An International Journal, 28(1), 155-168. https://doi.org/10.1108/CCIJ-06-2022-0066.
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 is motivated to investigate 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 in the United States. Our research findings confirmed that female professionals have to constantly make changes to their plans for family activities when there is a conflict due to work-related duties. Such impact is particularly intense for professionals in the age bracket 31-40. They have to use a wide variety of coping strategies to manage the work-family conflict. Findings in our research confirmed the critical role of mentoring in providing extra support and to help junior female professionals find coping solutions. Effective mentor-mentee networks can be established and used as valuable resources to support women in managing work-family conflict.
Yan Jin and Augustine Pang [Chairs] (2023, May). Panel: “Leading Strategic Communication through Turbulent Times: How the Contingency Theory Advances Practice in the Management of Crises, Conflicts and Complex Public Relations Issues.” Public Relations Division, International Communication Association (ICA) Annual Conference, Toronto, Canada.
Description: Over the past three decades, the Contingency Theory of Strategic Conflict Management has emerged as an empirically-tested perspective in how complex crises and conflicts can be managed via strategic communication. Inspired by recent work published in the special sections of Public Relations Review, this panel, comprising scholars from Europe, US and Asia advancing the Contingency Theory from diverse perspectives, celebrates the contributions of a key prime mover and originator of the theory, Glen T. Cameron.
Xuerong Lu (PhD alum) and Yan Jin (2023, May). “There Is a Time for Everything in Organizational Corrective Communication: The Effects of Correction Placement Timing and Refutation Detail Level on Combating Crisis Misinformation.” Public Relations Division, International Communication Association (ICA) Annual Conference, Toronto, Canada.
Abstract: Three understudied areas in organizational crisis misinformation management are: the timing of placing organizational correction message, level of detail a reputational message should provide, and how to tailor corrective message according to the narrative strategies embedded in the initial misinformation attack. To close this research gap by examining all three elements in an organizational crisis setting, an online experiment with 2 (placement of corrective information: 2 (prebunking vs. debunking) x 2 (detail level of refutation: simple rebuttal vs. factual elaboration) x 2 (Misinformation attack: victim narrative vs. blame narrative) between-subjects, full-factorial design was conducted among 490 U.S. adults to examine the main and interaction effects of misinformation narrative type, and correction elements (i.e., the timing of correction placement and reputational message detail). Results implied that prebunking strategy, especially when combined with factual elaboration, is superior in correcting participants’ misperception of organizational crisis responsibility, repairing organizational reputation, and limiting further misinformation spread. The results also showed the difficulty of using factual elaboration to combat organizational crisis misinformation when the misinformation was told via blame narrative. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.
Juan Meng, Solyee Kim, Bryan Reber, Heidi Modarelli-Frank, and Karen Swim (Sept. 27, 2022). Bots, Misrepresentation and More: Navigating Ethical Dilemmas in Digital Communication, moderated by Michele E. Ewing. This webinar is organized and sponsored by the Public Relations Society of America’s Board of Ethics and Professional Standards and the Corporate Communication Section.
Abstract: The integration of social and digital media in public relations practice has presented an array of ethical dilemmas — a lack of transparency, unreported endorsements, use of bots, consumer privacy breaches, and misrepresentation of a brand or organization are just a few examples. This webinar shares insight about how public relations professionals can effectively navigate digital communication ethics. Key topics to be covered: 1) a research study among U.S. and Canada public relations professionals focused on the frequency and types of ethical challenges facing public relations professionals in today’s digital communication environment; 2) resources, training and how to integrate the values of the PRSA Code of Ethics to guide ethical decision-making processes and behavior for digital communication; and 3) personal experiences and guidance related to digital ethics from public relations scholars and practitioners.
M.S. Neill & Juan Meng. (2022). The impact of crucible experiences in developing public relations’ character and competencies as servant leaders. Journal of Media Ethics, 37(3), 208-222. https://doi.org/10.1080/23736992.2022.2107526
Abstract: Crucible experiences 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 32 public relations leaders, we examined how crucible experiences specifically shaped them to practice servant leadership. Through the narratives they constructed about these experiences, we were able to learn specific details about these experiences, the lessons they gleaned and how they shaped and transformed their character, virtues and leadership style. These insights matter, because public relations leaders have the potential to serve as ethical role models for their employees and colleagues.
Meng, J., & Neill, M. S. (accepted, 2022). Diversifying gender equity in leadership in public relations: The role of mentoring and instrumental support at the organizational level. Corporate Communications: An International Journal, forthcoming.
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 is motivated to investigate 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 in the United States. Our research findings confirmed that female professionals have to constantly make changes to their plans for family activities when there is a conflict due to work-related duties. Such impact is particularly intense for professionals in the age bracket 31-40. They have to use a wide variety of coping strategies to manage the work-family conflict. Findings in our research confirmed the critical role of mentoring in providing extra support and to help junior female professionals find coping solutions. Effective mentor-mentee networks can be established and used as valuable resources to support women in managing work-family conflict.
Solyee Kim & Maria Len-Ríos (Forthcoming). A discourse analysis of the South Korean Embassy’s Facebook page and communicating its role in strategic relationships. International Journal of Strategic Communication.
Abstract: This study explores the discourse on the Facebook page of the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in the United States and discusses how the ROK Embassy constructs its public diplomacy by highlighting its international role and its ROK-U.S. relationship. This research conducted a simple content analysis and a discourse analysis to study 182 posts published on the Embassy’s Facebook page in Korean, English, or both between October 25, 2019, and October 25, 2020. Results indicate that different languages can be used strategically to communicate with different audiences, though sometimes such communication was exclusionary. Importantly, the activities of the ambassador showcased the areas where the host country draws its strongest relations. History and global challenges such as COVID-19 play critical roles in understanding the ROK-U.S. relationship and their shared interests as strategic partners. This research indicates that the use of social media, in this case, Facebook, requires various considerations in terms of strategic communication to boost relationships with strategic partners and the global reputation of a country.
Jeonghyun “Janice” Lee (Doctoral candidate) received the Inaugural 2022 Ragan Research Award (faculty advisor: Juan Meng). The award is jointly sponsored by The Institute for Public Relations and Ragan Communications. The purpose of the Ragan Research Award is to offer students an opportunity to conduct secondary research on an important topic in the PR industry. Janice has published a research brief on the topic of ESG. The title of the research brief is Engaging Employees through Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Narratives. Janice Lee will receive the award at the 2022 IPR Distinguished Lecture & Awards Dinner in New York on December 01, 2022. Award information can be found at: https://instituteforpr.org/ragan-research-award/ Janice also did an interview with PR Daily about her research interests and the study findings which can be found at: https://www.prdaily.com/findings-from-the-1st-ragan-research-awards-esg-narratives-on-social-media/
