Digital Commons Network^™

Mass Media Coverage Of Environmental Issues: Impact On Disaster Public Policy, John R. Fisher

Dr. John R. Fisher

Using Student Case Study Research To Verify Twitter Usage In Disasters, John R. Fisher, Jared Pitcher, Gary Noll

Dr. John R. Fisher

In disaster situations, Twitter has become the preferred means of transmitting information to the news media and the public. This study examines the inter-relationship among the various parties who share and produce information in a disaster situation. Student case studies of disaster situations serve as the primary database for analysis. A preliminary examination of the case studies and the Twitter trails of information seem to support the view that Twitter can be a source of gathering and relaying information in a disaster situation and that first-responder agencies, the media, and the informed public can use Twitter for information they can …

The Leap Model: Perceptions Of Emergency Service Leaders Of Legitimacy, R. Jeffery Maxfield, John Fisher

Dr. John R. Fisher

This study adds to the qualitative data showing how leaders in the emergency services perceive legitimacy and the bases of power. The study examines the perception of leaders and their perspective on why subordinates view their leader as legitimate and/or authentic. Two definitions of legitimacy are presented: the traditional viewpoint of French and Raven (1959) associating legitimate power “with having status or formal job authority” and the other proposed by Maxfield (2012) in the LEAP leadership model basing legitimacy or authenticity more on the characteristics and skills leaders bring to their positions. Emergency service students interviewed leaders in their career …

Media Impact On Disaster Public Policy, John R. Fisher

Dr. John R. Fisher

Decades of research suggest the media play a secondary role in the development of public policy. This appears to be equally true in media coverage of disasters. While the media may heighten awareness of an issue, individual public opinion leaders, particularly the wealthy and influential, have greater impact on the formation of public policy.

Engaging Students In Disaster Relief Training Exercises

Dr. John R. Fisher

Examining Question Form And Function In The Disaster Press Conference, John Fisher

Dr. John R. Fisher

This study uses a structural functional perspective in examining the form and function of questions in a presidential disaster press conference on May 27, 2010 about the Deepwater BP Oil Spill. Clayman and Heritage (2002) proposed a framework to examine the questions and responses in a press conference while Fisher (1991) offered a method to study media function. These were both applied to the disaster press conference. Findings were used to develop recommendations for public officials and PIOs in working with the media. Despite the fact that this case suggests an adversarial relationship between public officials and the media, public …

Emergency Service Leader Perceptions Of Legitimacy, John R. Fisher, R. Jeffery Maxfield

Dr. John R. Fisher

This study adds to the qualitative data showing how leaders in the emergency services perceive legitimacy and the bases of power. The study examines leader perception of the reasons their subordinates view their leadership as legitimate. Two definitions of legitimacy are presented: the traditional viewpoint of French and Raven (1959) associating legitimate power “with having status or formal job authority” and the other proposed by Maxfield (2012) in the LEAP leadership model basing legitimacy more on the characteristics leaders bring to their positions. Emergency service students interviewed leaders in their career fields, determining their view of legitimacy. They found that …

The Disaster Press Conference: Form And Function, John R. Fisher

Dr. John R. Fisher

This study uses a structural functional perspective in examining the form and function of a presidential disaster press conference on May 27, 2010 about the Deepwater BP Oil Spill. Clayman and Heritage (2002) proposed a framework to examine the questions and responses in a press conference while Fisher (1991) offered a method to study media function. These were both applied to the disaster press conference. Findings were used to develop recommendations for public officials and PIOs in working with the media. Despite the fact that this case suggests an adversarial relationship between public officials and the media, public officials need …

The Disaster Press Conference: Form And Function, John R. Fisher

Dr. John R. Fisher

This study uses a structural functional perspective in examining the form and function of a presidential disaster press conference on May 27, 2010 about the Deepwater BP Oil Spill. Clayman and Heritage (2002) proposed a framework to examine the questions and responses in a press conference while Fisher (1991) offered a method to study media function. These were both applied to the disaster press conference. Findings were used to develop recommendations for public officials and PIOs in working with the media. Despite the fact that this case suggests an adversarial relationship between public officials and the media, public officials need …

The Need For Fire Service Professional Development, R. Jeffery Maxfield, John R. Fisher

Dr. John R. Fisher

The importance of fire and emergency services professional development standards has never been more apparent than during the last few years. With the events of September 11, 2001, the need for improved leadership in the emergency services has become evident. The International Association of Fire Chiefs has introduced a professional development standards model, based on a definition of professional development, which is “the planned, progressive life-long process of education, training, self-development, and experience” (IAFC, 2003). Their standard recognizes that emergency response training activities are more prevalent in the early stages of a career and that organizational skills grow with a …

The First Two Years Of Independence In Kosovo: Links Between Political Systems And Business Enterprises, John R. Fisher, Baki Koleci, Muhaedin Bela

Dr. John R. Fisher

External conflict has impact on business and commerce and appears to be highly dependent on the political system. The connection between the political systems and business enterprises is more important in a new, developing country like Kosovo.

Systems Theory And Structural Functionalism, John Fisher

Dr. John R. Fisher

Although structural functionalism finds its roots much earlier than systems theory, as researchers use it today, it is based on systems theory. This book chapter sets forth an approach for using systems theory and structural functionalism as frameworks and models for research.

Mass Media Coverage Of Global Warming: An Update., John Fisher

Dr. John R. Fisher

A consensus may no longer exist about the causes of climate change. Only last year most media and many people supported the view that climate change was caused by people’s use of fossil fuels. However, the public view of global warming appears to have changed. Much of this change in people’s attitudes came from media coverage. This was augmented by concern for the economy and the effect of global warming legislation on the economy.

While few studies exist of mass media saturation using the diffusion of innovation model, research of global warming coverage by Dispensa and Brulle (2003) and Fisher …

Tony Blair's Lecture On Public Life And The Media: Functional Applications For Business And Research, John R. Fisher, Muhaedin Bela

Dr. John R. Fisher

Public Relations And War: Socially Responsible Or Unethical, John R. Fisher

Dr. John R. Fisher

This article applies symmetrical public relations to warfare and argues that it is not possible because the purpose of public relations in wartime is to persuade and control information.

Native People And Systemic Bias In The Public Education System, John R. Fisher, Bayo Oludaja

Dr. John R. Fisher

Although systemic bias may not be racism, it is a form of prejudice. Systemic bias exists throughout society in the practices and attitudes that people face on a daily basis. Very often educational programs are set up to accommodate special needs, but, although well meaning, they incorporate this form of bias. Systemic bias inhibits student progress and often presupposes the need for cultural change. This paper reports a study of Canadian Native people and their experience with the public school system. Interviews were held with 19 students, 24 parents and community members, and nine faculty/administrators to assess how systemic bias …

Teaching Communication: Getting To The Heart Using Visuals As An Instructional Tool, John Fisher, Melody Hubbard

Dr. John R. Fisher

Students become much more engaged in movies than in most other visual aids because they find them entertaining and see greater applications in their own lives. However, the instructor’s goal in showing films is more than to entertain or fill time; it is to assist in learning. By increasing student involvement, higher levels of learning can be achieved. This paper applies a taxonomy of engagement suggested by Rößling and Naps (2002) to the teaching of communication. By engaging students, beyond viewing, in responding, changing, constructing and presenting, greater learning outcomes can be achieved.

Noble, But Not Savage: Difficulties In Racial-Mythic Conception Of Media Stereotypes., Rick Clifton Moore, John R. Fisher

Dr. John R. Fisher

To overcome conceptual difficulties in earlier media stereotype research, Seiter (1986) and Gorham (1999) propose that we think of stereotypes in ideological terms, especially as perpetuators of racial myths. Racial myths reinforce negative views of oppressed groups and positive views of the powerful. In this study, however, empirical data about preconceptions and film portrayals of Native Americans suggest that in some instances powerless groups can be “stereotyped” much more positively than powerful ones are.

Addressing Equity In Alberta, John R. Fisher, Moshe Elhav

Dr. John R. Fisher

This paper provides a historical review of equity in funding education in Alberta. It describes government attempts to address fiscal inequities and shows how the introduction of full funding in 1994 addressed many of the equity problems in Alberta. Horizontal equity has improved. However, the province needs to consider ways to improve vertical equity--the need for different amounts of funding to meet different needs--and other inequities affecting student achievement and access to knowledge.