Corporate communication, public relations and reputational risk management in the days of Covid-19

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3145/epi.2020.mar.20

Keywords:

Covid-19, Coronavirus, Pandemics, Corporate communication, Organizational communication, Crisis communication, Internal communication, Public relations, Corporate social responsibility, CSR, Reputational risk.

Abstract

The Covid-19 crisis has put to the test many social structures processes. Corporate communication and public relations are examples of these processes that face an unprecedented situation, difficult to foresee and from which lessons will have to be drawn for the future. In this article, a mixture of research and essay, we intend, based on theory, and on the experience and some studies carried out by communication professionals as well, to reflect on how the pandemic crisis of the Covid-19 affects and will condition the practice of corporate communication in general and two of its areas of specialization, internal communication and corporate social responsibility (CSR). We emphasize the importance of organizations in assuming that reputation is a risk and that this risk must be managed with public relations tactics and tools, because the pandemic crisis of the so-called coronavirus has revealed the importance for organizations and brands of managing trustworthy relationships with their publics.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Arthur W. Page Society (2017). "The CEO view: communications at the center of the enterprise". https://page.org/thought-leadership/the-ceo-view-communications-at-the-center-of-the-enterprise

Behavioral Insights Research Center (2020). "Using social and behavioural science to support COVID-19 pandemic response". https://instituteforpr.org/behavioral-insights-research-center/about-birc

Blumer, Harold (1946). "Collective behavior". In: Lee, Algred McCung (ed.). New outlines of the principle of sociology. New York: Barnes & Noble. ISBN: 978 0 064600262

Carreras, Enrique; Alloza, Ángel; Carreras, Ana (2013). Reputación corporativa. Madrid: LID Editorial. ISBN: 978 84 83567210

Coombs, W. Timothy (1995). "Choosing the right words: The development of guidelines for the selection of the "˜appropriate´ crisis-response strategies". Management communication quarterly, v. 8, n. 4, pp. 447-476. https://doi.org/10.1177/0893318995008004003

Coombs, W. Timothy (1998). "An analytic framework for crisis situations: Better responses from a better understanding of the situation". Journal of public relations research, v. 10, n. 3, pp. 177-191. https://doi.org/10.1207/s1532754xjprr1003_02

Coombs, W. Timothy (2006). "The prospective power of crisis response strategies: Managing reputational assets during a crisis". Journal of promotion management, v. 12, n. 3-4, pp. 241-260. https://doi.org/10.1300/J057v12n03_13

Coombs, W. Timothy (2012). Ongoing crisis communication: Planning, managing, and responding, 3rd ed. Thousand Oaks: SAGE Publications. ISBN: 978 1 412983105

Corporate Excellence; IE Business School (2016). "Informe de tendencias en gestión de intangibles". https://www.corporateexcellence.org/recurso/approaching-the-future-informe-de-tendencias-en/e3b17de7-818c-435c-8c7a-089ad8f2eaf3

Cuenca, Joan; Verazzi, Laura (2018) Guí­a fundamental de la comunicación interna. Barcelona: Editorial UOC. ISBN: 978 84 91802723

Dewey, John (2004). La opinión pública y sus problemas. Madrid: Ediciones Morata. ISBN: 978 84 71124883

Diezhandino, Marí­a-Pilar (2012). El periodista en la encrucijada. Barcelona: Fundación Telefónica. ISBN: 978 84 08008248

Edelman (2019). "Trust barometer global report". https://www.edelman.com/sites/g/files/aatuss191/files/2019-02/2019_Edelman_Trust_Barometer_Global_Report_2.pdf

Edelman (2020). "Brand trust and the coronavirus pandemic". https://www.edelman.com/research/covid-19-brand-trust-report

Edwards, Lee (2006). "Rethinking power in public relations". Public relations review, v. 32, n. 3, pp. 229-231. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pubrev.2006.05.013

Edwards, Lee (2014). Power, diversity and public relations, Londres: Routledge. ISBN: 978 0 415811958

Ferruz-González, Sonia-Aránzazu (2018). Reputación corporativa. Estudio del concepto y las metodologí­as para su medición: propuesta de un concepto y metodologí­a de consenso. Tesis doctoral. Madrid: Universidad Complutense de Madrid. https://eprints.ucm.es/47772

Fombrun, Charles J.; Gardberg, Naomi A.; Sever, Joy M. (2000). "The reputation quotient: A multi-stakeholder measure of corporate reputation". Journal of brand management, v. 7, n. 4, pp. 241-255. https://doi.org/10.1057/bm.2000.10

Fombrun, Charles. J.; Ponzi, Leonard J.; Newburry, William (2015). "Stakeholder tracking and analysis: The RepTrak system for measuring corporate reputation". Corporate reputation review, v. 18, n. 1, pp. 3-24. https://doi.org/10.1057/crr.2014.21

Fombrun, Charles. J.; Shanley, Mark (1990). "What´s in a name? Reputation building and corporate strategy". Academy of Management journal, v. 33, n. 2, pp. 233-258. https://doi.org/ 10.2307/256324

Grunig, James E. (1976). Communication behaviors occurring in decision and non-decision situations. Journalism quarterly, v. 53, pp. 252-286. https://doi.org/10.1177/107769907605300209

Grunig, James E. (1983). Communication behaviors and attitudes of environmental publics: Two studies. Journalism monographs, v. 81.

Grunig, James E.; Hunt, Todd (1984). Managing public relations, Fort Worth, NJ: Rinehart and Wilson. ISBN: 978 0 030583377

Grunig, James E.; Repper, Fred C. (1992). "Strategic management, publics, and issues". In: J. E. Grunig, James E. (ed.). Excellence in public relations and communication management, Hillsdale, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum. ISBN: 978 0 805802276

Hamori, Monika (2003). "The impact of reputation capital on the career paths of departing employees". Journal of intellectual capital, v. 4, n. 3, pp. 304-315. https://doi.org/10.1108/14691930310487770

Hansen, Mark; Roca-Sales, Meritxell; Keegan, Jonathan M.; King, George (2017). Artificial untelligence: Practice and implications for journalism. Columbia University Libraries; Tow Center for Digital Journalism. https://doi.org/10.7916/D8X92PRD

Herrero-Curiel, Eva (2015). "La credibilidad de las redes sociales en el ámbito periodí­stico". Transinformaí§í£o, v. 27, n. 2, pp. 165-171. https://doi.org/10.1590/0103-37862015000200006

Hutton, James G.; Goodman, Michael B.; Alexander, Jill B.; Genest, Christina M. (2001). "Reputation management: the new face of corporate public relations?". Public relations review, v. 27, n. 3, pp. 247-261. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0363-8111(01)00085-6

Kamins; Michael A.; Brand, Meribeth J.; Hoeke, Stuart A.; Moe, John C. (2013). "Two-sided versus one-sided celebrity endorsements: The impact on advertising effectiveness and credibility". Journal of advertising, v. 18, n. 1, pp. 4-10. https://doi.org/10.1080/00913367.1989.10673146

Kim, Heevon; Pilny, Aandrew (2019). "The use of enterprise social media and its disparate effects on the social connectivity of globally dispersed workers". International journal of business communication, pp. 1-19. https://doi.org/10.1177/2329488419877233

Laurent, í‰loi (2019). í‰conomie de la confiance. Paris: La Découverte. ISBN: 978 2 348043550

Ledingham, John A.; Bruning, Stephen D. (1998). "Relationship management in public relations: dimensions of an organization-public relationship". Public relations review, v. 24, n. 1, pp. 55-65. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0363-8111(98)80020-9

Lee, Yeunjae; Li, Jo-Yun-Queenie (2020). "The value of internal communication in enhancing employees´ health information disclosure intentions in the workplace". Public relations review, v. 46, n. 1. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pubrev.2019.101872

Lindén, Carl-Gustav (2017). "Algorithms for journalism: The future of news work". The journal of media innovations, v. 4, n. 1, pp. 60-76. https://doi.org/10.5617/jmi.v4i1.2420

Luc Beauregard Centre of Excellence in Communications Research (2017) "The CEO Communication Audit". https://www.concordia.ca/content/dam/jmsb/docs/research-centres/luc-beauregard/CEO-Summit-report.pdf

Martí­nez-Martí­nez, Silvia; Lara-Navarra, Pablo (2015). "El big data transforma la interpretación de los medios sociales". El profesional de la información, v. 23, n. 6, pp. 575-581. https://doi.org/10.3145/epi.2014.nov.03

Mazmanian, Melissa (2013). "Avoiding the trap of constant connectivity: When congruent frames allow for heterogeneous practices". Academy of Management journal, v. 56, pp. 1225-1250. https://doi.org/10.5465/amj.2010.0787

McKie, David; Lawniczak, Ryszard (2009). "Economics and public relations in a time of downturn: Dismal science, unseen history, and the need for dialogue". Public relations review, v. 35, n. 4, pp. 335-339. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pubrev.2009.08.008

Men, Linjuan-Rita (2014). "Internal reputation management: the impact of authentic leadership and transparent communication". Corporate reputation review, v. 17, n. 4, pp. 254-272. https://doi.org/10.1057/crr.2014.14

Men, Linjuan-Rita; Yue, Cen-April (2019). "Creating a positive emotional culture: Effect of internal communication and impact on employee supportive behaviors". Public relations review, v. 45, n. 2. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pubrev.2019.03.001

Miquel-Segarra, Susana; Aced-Toledano, Cristina (2019). "Objectives and difficulties in the evaluation of internal communication in Spanish companies". El profesional de la información, v. 28, n. 5, e280521. https://doi.org/10.3145/epi.2019.sep.21

O´Neil, Julie; Eisenmann, Marianne (2017). "An examination of how source classification impacts credibility and consumer behavior". Public relations review, v. 43, n. 2, pp. 278-292. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pubrev.2017.02.011

O´Neil, Julie; Ewing, Michele; Smith, Stacey; Williams, Sean (2018) "A Delphi study to identify standards for internal communication". Public relations journal, v. 11, n. 3. https://prjournal.instituteforpr.org/wp-content/uploads/1.-A-Delphi-Study-to-Identify-Standards-for-IC-.pdf

Orangefiery (2020). "Leadership communications during COVID-19: A survey of U.S. organizations". https://orangefiery.com/2020/04/03/leadership-communications-during-covid-19-survey

Roberts, Peter W.; Dowling, Grahame R. (2002). "Corporate reputation and sustained superior financial performance". Strategic management journal, v. 23, n. 12, pp. 1077-1093. https://doi.org/10.1002/smj.274

Schaarschmidt, Mario; Walsh, Gianfranco; Ivens, Stefan (2015). "Perceived external reputation as a driver of organizational citizenship behavior: Replication and extension". Corporate reputation review, v. 18, n. 4, pp. 314-336. https://doi.org/10.1057/crr.2015.19

Schmertz, Herb; Novak, William (1987). El silencio no es rentable. Barcelona: Planeta. ISBN: 978 84 32078873

Sotillo, Sandra (2017). La gestioÌn profesional de la reputacioÌn del CEO como elemento generador de valor para las organizaciones. Tesis doctoral. Castellón: Universitat Jaume I. https://www.tdx.cat/handle/10803/405335#page=1

Ter Hoeven, Claartje L.; Van Zoonen, Ward (2020). "Helping others and feeling engaged in the context of workplace flexibility: The importance of communication control". International journal of business communication, v. 57, n. 3, pp. 1-22. https://doi.org/10.1177/2329488419898799

Túñez-López, José-Miguel; Toural-Bran, Carlos; Cacheiro-Requeijo, Santiago (2018). "Uso de bots y algoritmos para automatizar la redacción de noticias: percepción y actitudes de los periodistas en España". El profesional de la información, v. 27, n. 4, pp. 750-758. https://doi.org/10.3145/epi.2018.jul.04

UK PR Industry (2020). "#FuturePRoof survey reveals drastic impact of COVID-19 on UK PR industry". https://www.futureproofingcomms.co.uk/thelatest/2020/3/22/futureproof-survey-reveals-drastic-impact-of-covid-19-on-uk-pr-industry

Wí¦raas, Arild; Dahle, Dag-Yngve (2019). "When reputation management is people management: Implications for employee voice". European management journal, v. 38, n. 2, pp. 277-287. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.emj.2019.08.010

Weber Shandwick (2012), "The company behind the brand: In reputation we trust - CEO spotlight". https://www.webershandwick.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/CEO_Spotlight_ExecSummary.pdf

Weigelt, Keith; Camerer, Colin (1988). "Reputation and corporate strategy: A review of recent theory". Strategic management journal, v, 9, n. 5, pp. 443-455. https://doi.org/10.1002/smj.4250090505

Woods, Chelsea L. (2016). "When more than reputation is at risk: How two hospitals responded to Ebola". Public relations review, v. 42, n. 5, pp. 893-902. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pubrev.2016.10.002

Xifra, Jordi (2011). "Subsidios informativos y función documental de las salas de prensa online de los ministerios españoles". El profesional de la información, v. 20, n. 3, pp. 270-275. https://doi.org/10.3145/epi.2011.may.04

Xifra, Jordi (2017). Manual de relaciones públicas e institucionales (3ª ed.). Madrid: Tecnos. ISBN: 978 84 30972135

Xifra, Jordi; Ordeix, Enric (2009). "Managing reputational risk in an economic downturn: The case of Banco Santander". Public relations review, v. 35, n. 4, pp. 353-360. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pubrev.2009.08.004

Yoon, Eunsang; Guffey, Hugh J.; Kijewski, Valerie (1993). "The effects of information and company reputation on intentions to buy a business service". Journal of business research, v. 27, n. 3, pp. 215-228. https://doi.org/10.1016/0148-2963(93)90027-M

Yue, Cen-April; Men, Linjuan-Rita; Ferguson, Mary-Ann (2019). "Bridging transformational leadership, transparent communication, and employee openness to change: The mediating role of trust". Public relations review, v. 45, n. 3. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pubrev.2019.04.012

Zerfass, Ansgar; Tench, Ralph; Verhoeven, Piet; VerÄiÄ, Dejan; Moreno, Ángeles (2018). European communication monitor 2018. Strategic communication and the challenges of fake news, trust, leadership, work, stress and job satisfaction. Bruselas: EACD/Euprera, Quadriga Media. http://www.communicationmonitor.eu/2018/06/13/ecm-european-communication-monitor-2018

Published

2020-04-22

How to Cite

Xifra, J. (2020). Corporate communication, public relations and reputational risk management in the days of Covid-19. Profesional De La información, 29(2). https://doi.org/10.3145/epi.2020.mar.20

Issue

Section

Artí­culos de investigación Covid-19 / Covid-19 research articles