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Journal Article 2.1: Fitch, Kate; L’Etang, Jacquie. 2017. “Other Voices? The State of Public Relations History and Historiography: Questions, Challenges, and Limitations of “National” Histories and Historiographies.” Public Relations Inquiry 6(1): 61-78.

Abstract: This essay offers an overview of public relations history and historiography, using a review of a recently published book series as a starting point. In offering sometimes previously undocumented national histories and regional and non-US perspectives, National Perspectives on the Development of Public Relations: Other Voices opens up the field. However, the series also raises philosophical and methodological issues regarding the role of history, the positioning of public relations, tensions within the field and public relations’ relationship to societal communication and powerful strategic interests. Scholars have not always grounded their histories within wider historical literature that contextualizes the public relations occupation and its role in a particular societal context. We argue that a renewed focus on historiography is needed to better address the influence of US progressivist accounts, the scientization of Western public relations and the narrow confines of the public relations discipline.

Journal Article 2.2: Place, Katie R. 2015. “Binaries, Continuums, and Intersections: Women Public Relations Professionals’ Understanding of Gender.” Public Relations Inquiry 6(1): 115-136.

Abstract: This qualitative study of 45 women public relations professionals explores how the essentialising of gender shapes the public relations industry. The focus on the meaning-making of women practitioners proposes a more complex understanding of gender in public relations and speaks to gendered tensions experienced among other communication professionals. Responding to feminists’ call for gender to be explored in more holistic ways, I posed the research question, how do women public relations practitioners define gender? Participants defined gender as a binary construct, a social construct, and a phenomenon linked to age, race, and ethnicity. Findings suggest that some women public relations professionals are cognizant of gender scripts present in the industry, yet are vocalizing and enacting sexist stereotypes about women and gender. This study complements previous feminist theorizing by illustrating gender as relational and discursive as well as intersectional and “situated knowledge.”

Journal Article 2.3: Kim, S.-Y., & Reber, B. H. (2009). How public relations professionals influences corporate social responsibility: A survey of practitioners. Journalism & Mass Communication Quarterly, 86(1), 157-174.

Abstract: This national survey (N = 289) explored how public relations practitioners’ professionalism is associated with their attitudes toward corporate social responsibility (CSR). Results showed that practitioners with high professionalism have more positive attitudes toward CSR. Practitioners’ longer time in the job and larger PR department size positively affect professionalism. Women have more positive attitudes toward CSR than men, and older practitioners have more positive attitudes toward CSR than younger practitioners.