Communication Commons^™

Assisted Living: Internal Communication To Align Identity And Image, Katherine Pittman Govito

Theses and Dissertations

Accomplishment of the mission of any organization relies on relationships developed. Key to these relationships is an internal communication program. As a function of public relations, the value of an internal communication program must be recognized as a requirement and implemented to achieve objectives set forth in an organization's mission statement.

This case study established the core elements of the mission statement of Meadow Glen, an assisted-living facility. The researcher evaluated its internal communication program by conducting surveys of Meadow Glen's three central internal relationships to measure alignment of its identity with its image. The three groups surveyed were: employees, …

Latter-Day Saints In Popular National Periodicals 1970-1981, Adam H. Nielson

Theses and Dissertations

The public image of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the product of several factors. This thesis investigates that image as presented in national periodicals from 1970 to 1981. During this time "Mormons" and "Mormonism" was a popular topic as the religion gained notoriety, and as an awareness of its peculiar beliefs and practices increased.

The rationale for using national magazines to assess public image is the assumption that they "reflect prevailing points of view" and help "formulate public opinion." Since popular attitudes are one of the factors that influence how the Church is accepted in the …

The Benefits Of Public Appearances For A Sports Figure's Image, Andrea L. Pujat

Theses and Dissertations

In this day and age of high salaries, free agency and shuffling around from city to city and team to team, sports figures are not concerned with being role models. Public appearances, management of image and the distinct understanding of how actions affect fan approval are being ignored.

This study examines the benefits of public appearances for a sports figure's image and examines if there is a discrepancy between what executives think fans feel is important and what fans really feel is important.

Six interviews were conducted with sports executives and sports professionals to gather information about the views of …

A Study Of Student Recruitment Practices At Rowan University, Daniel P. Reigel

Theses and Dissertations

This study provides advice to admissions counselors at Rowan University so they can better recruit prospective students.

For secondary research, the author did an online search of Rowan University's Campbell Library databases, an Internet search and a book search at Gloucester County Library.

The author collected data from 269 surveys distributed to prospective students at one of seven open house events at Rowan University during the 2002/2003 academic school year.

Surveys showed that students visiting Rowan University's one of seven open house events were happy with the overall program. Financial aid sessions proved to be the only part of the …

A Public Relations Approach To Recruiting Studio Audiences For Start-Up Shows, Chekesha K. Bunch

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis sought to determine the methods audience coordinators used to recruit studio audiences. This portion of the thesis included a ten-question interview emailed to audience coordinators for current daytime talk shows in New York City. Interviews were also conducted with production executives and a director to determine the purpose and significance of audience as well as audience-related costs.

Second, the thesis sought to answer what audiences like and dislike, what they have done, what they will do, and what they believe as it pertains to studio attendance. This portion of the thesis included a fifteen-question survey addressing incentives, show …

The Use Of Incentives In Increasing Survey Participation, Anne Glowacz

Theses and Dissertations

This study provides information on the effectiveness of incentives in increasing survey participation.

The author searched the online databases of Rowan University's Campbell Library as well as Internet search engines in an effort to locate secondary research on the topic.

The author collected and analyzed data from eight online surveys concerning the use of incentives. The surveys were completed by market research professionals.

Research indicated that the use of incentives is widespread and has become virtually necessary as the public increasingly realizes the value of providing personal information to survey administrators. Recommendations regarding the use of incentives were compiled based …

Public Perception: Comparing Tobacco Industry Public Relations Campaigns Of Today And Yesteryear, Cristin E. Kastner

Theses and Dissertations

This study compared public perception of tobacco industry public relations campaigns of today and yesteryear. Little study has been devoted to the public's changing perception of tobacco public relations since the Master Settlement Agreement changed tobacco public relations efforts in 1998.

Written history of tobacco industry public relations served as the base of determining perception of yesteryear. Surveying 281 undergraduate Rowan University students determined today's public perception of tobacco industry public relations.

Significant survey findings include:

• 80 percent felt the tobacco industry is not honest about the products it sells
• Half said the tobacco industry should not run its own …

Perceptions Of Public Relations: Key Communicators Share Their Opinions, Kamali A. Brooks

Theses and Dissertations

This study had three main purposes: first, determine how key communicators (those who talk to many people on a daily basis and share their opinions with others) in today's society feel about the public relations field; second, show that positive public relations does take place; and third, change the negative perceptions society holds for public relations, so that public relations will lose its negative image.

The author used many sources to obtain research for this thesis, including Rowan University's on-line databases, the University of Delaware's on-line databases, Internet searches, the Rowan catalogue, DELCAT and Temple University.

The author collected data …

Internal Communication: The Changing Roles Of Human Resources And Public Relations, E. Morgan Johnson

Theses and Dissertations

This study provides public relations and human resource professionals with information on which office is communicating to employees.

For secondary research, the author did an online search of Rowan University's Campbell Library databases and an Internet search.

The author collected data from 51 online surveys distributed to public relations, human resources and communication professionals.

Surveys indicated that the human resource office deals largely with communicating training, policy and management decisions to employees. Survey responses indicated that the public relations office reports new product/service updates and community involvement/activities to employees.

The author also conducted an e-mail interview with an internal communications …

Aids In The African-American Community: Celebrities As An Ineffective Communication Strategy, Wendy A. Robinson

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of the study was to determine whether using celebrities to deliver HIV/AIDS prevention awareness messages to the African-American community is an effective public relations strategy.

Celebrities are used to persuade people to buy shoes, cars, toothpaste, etc., but can they persuade people to change risky behavior: protecting themselves and others from the spread of HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases?

Research conducted for this thesis found celebrities to be effective tools when their actions coincide or mirror the message. Celebrities that are perceived to be irresponsible or whose lyrics and/or actions do not coincide with safe-sex aren't taken …

State Of The Union Addresses And Their Impact On Popularity And Credibility, Lea L. Shapiro

Theses and Dissertations

This is a study of the impact of presidential messages and style upon the American public following the annual State of the Union address. This researcher focused on two similar presidents, Ronald Reagan and William J. Clinton. The State of the Union addresses used were for the years 1982 and 1994, respectively. The impact was measured by the poll results taken before and after each State of the Union speech.

A content analysis of each address was done to determine the major themes and messages and to determine which of those messages resulted in increased poll numbers.

Additionally, this researcher …

Cancer Cluster Communications: Bridging The Gap Between Science And Public Perception, Loretta A. O'Donnell

Theses and Dissertations

In response to the increasing request for cancer cluster investigations and the challenges in communicating the complexities of the studies and results, the author conducted case studies of childhood cancer cluster investigations in Dover Township, New Jersey and Fallon, Nevada to review state government communication and responses from residents. The purpose was to assess the residents' understanding and acceptance of the communication and to recommend guidelines for similar investigations based on lessons learned by officials and on recommendations by health risk communication experts in the public and private sectors. The study included content analyses of newspaper articles, intercept surveys, mail …

A Case Study Of The Efficacy Of Community Policing In Camden, New Jersey, Sophia L. Peele

Theses and Dissertations

Community policing initiates a valuable relationship between police and residents. It is often viewed as a problem-solving method of policing. Many police departments across the country have instituted this philosophy into one unit. However, some police administrators have found ways to implement community policing throughout the department.

This study was developed to determine the attitudes of both the patrolling community policing officers and the residents to evaluate the efficacy of community policing. The study was also used to determine if the uses of public relations skills increase the officers' ability to communicate effectively with residents of the community. Patrolling officers …

How To Recruit More International Students, Chien-Wen Huang

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was twofold: 1) to determine international students' perspectives regarding the (U.S.) school application process, and 2) to compare recruiters' perspectives regarding the application process. Results indicated affordable tuition and alumni's satisfaction greatly influenced potential students' willingness to seriously entertain matriculation at U.S. schools. Major findings from the study included: Asian students represent over half (55%) of all international students on U.S. campuses; the United States remains the preferred destination for the vast majority of international students (80%) due to its advanced educational system; and recruiters, by a wide majority, chose paper-based application forms over online …

Television Public Service In Philadelphia: A Thing Of The Past?, Jill Flanagan

Theses and Dissertations

The researcher carried out this study to determine if national trends in television public service have influenced decision makers in Philadelphia and to provide public relations practitioners with detailed information about local practices. Online and library searches were conducted to secure information about television public service. In addition, the author interviewed communication experts, surveyed staff at six local channels and reviewed station materials.

The author found that Philadelphia's television stations continue to provide free airtime to charities along with traditional public service campaigns. However, research shows that paid PSA campaigns and third-party advertising agreements have grown in popularity. Public relations …

An Analysis Of Basic Public Relations Needs Of Non-Profit Associations, Jennifer Szwalek

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to analyze the basic public relations needs of nonprofit associations, tiered according to association structure.

A sample of 100 non-profit association executive directors, obtained from the International Association of Association Management Companies (IAAMC), were surveyed by e-mail and in-depth interviews on their public relations needs. Twenty percent of the sample chose to participate.

Online research was conducted at the Web sites of the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) and within the Association Management Company (AMC) section, the International Association of Association Management Companies (IAAMC) and the Association Management Institute (AMCInstitute).

Research steps also …

Minor League Baseball Pr Guidelines: Techniques For First Year Class A Teams, John Sadak

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this thesis was to accumulate information relative to the various public relations practices, methods and procedures utilized by the 60 Class A Minor League Baseball teams and to determine the extent of common public relations elements. Although the 60 teams are located in different markets, results of interviews and surveys of the teams led the author to conclude that some current practices are common among them.

Phone interviews were conducted with four practitioners to determine a preliminary list of items important to a Minor League Baseball promotional campaign. From that list a survey was created and mailed …

An External Communication Audit Of The National Tropical Botanical Garden, Jennifer Melody Murdock

Theses and Dissertations

This study presents the results of an external communication audit of the National Tropical Botanical Garden (NTBG), a congressionally chartered nonprofit organization dedicated to the conservation of tropical plant diversity. Information was gathered during the communication audit through interviews with NTBG's key decision makers, content analyses of NTBG's primary publications, and a questionnaire measuring the public-organization relationship.

The audit assesses NTBG's external communication policies, practices, capabilities, and needs in the context of systems theory and external relations strategic planning theories. The findings of the audit identify who NTBG considers its target publics and how well they are reaching certain audiences. …

Deception Detection In A Computer-Mediated Environment: Gender, Trust, And Training Issues, Monica A. Dziubinski

Theses and Dissertations

The Department of Defense is increasingly relying on computer-mediated communications to conduct business. This reliance introduces an amplified vulnerability to strategic information manipulation, or deception. This research draws on communication and deception literature to develop a conceptual model proposing relationships between deception detection abilities in a computer-mediated environment, gender, trust, and training. An experiment was conducted with 119 communications personnel to test the proposed hypotheses. No relationship between gender or trust and deception detection accuracy was found. Partial support was found showing that training improves deception detection accuracy. The most significant finding was that individual’s deception detection abilities deteriorate in …

Training Effects On Judgment Accuracy In A Computer-Mediated Environment, Mark M. Lankowski

Theses and Dissertations

The United States Air Force (AF) has named Information Superiority the core competency "upon which all the other core competencies rely". In order to achieve Information Superiority, deceptive communication must be minimized. According to researchers, deception occurs when communicators control the information contained in their messages to convey a meaning that departs from the truth. This research draws on Biros, George, and Zmuds' (2002) deception research model to determine if training to detect deception will improve a person's deception detection performance in a computer-mediated environment. A longitudinal experiment was conducted with AF participants (N=119) where three separate training plans were …

Philip Morris Faces "The Truth": A Rhetorical Analysis Of The Persuasiveness Of Two Teen-Targeted Anti-Smoking Advertising Campaigns, Marybeth Mcmurray

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis examines the persuasiveness of anti-smoking television advertisements aimed at teens and produced by Philip Morris's Youth Smoking Prevention Program and the American Legacy Foundation's truth campaign. The advertisements are analyzed rhetorically using Kenneth Burke's dramatistic approach, supplemented by theory related to persuasive advertising, characteristics of at-risk adolescents, persuasive attack, and persuasive defense (apologia).

The analysis indicates that strong central themes present in both the Philip Morris and truth campaigns act as a means of rhetorical persuasion, but are not necessarily rhetoric designed to persuade adolescents not to smoke cigarettes. The truth campaign advertisements contain both strengths and weaknesses. …