Organizational listening: Addressing a major gap in public relations theory and practice
- Publication Type:
- Journal Article
- Citation:
- Journal of Public Relations Research, 2016, 28 (3-4), pp. 146 - 169
- Issue Date:
- 2016-07-03
Open Access
Copyright Clearance Process
- Recently Added
- In Progress
- Open Access
This item is open access.
© 2016 Taylor & Francis. An extensive body of literature theorizes public relations as two-way communication, dialogue, and relationships between organizations and their publics. Although there are alternative views, including public relations as advocacy, most theories emphasize dialogue, co-orientation, and relationships incorporating satisfaction, trust, and control mutuality—even to the extent of symmetry. Critical perspectives propose a sociocultural turn that further emphasizes stakeholders’ and societal interests. This analysis draws on a three-country study that reveals a major theory-practice gap and proposes a significant expansion of public relations theory in relation to listening to realize normative notions of public relations and give effect to claims of dialogue and engagement.
Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: