Firms are uncertain about the value of corporate social responsibility (CSR) reporting, which may involve significant costs. What makes them embark on the initiative? This is the first study to explore the voluntary adoption by companies of the world’s most widespread framework of CSR reporting—the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI). The GRI case is impressive because it achieved its status in mere 10 years. The inquiry focuses on the role of the firm’s institutional environment and identity communicators as drivers of the adoption of the GRI principles as a reputation management tool. The authors use a duration model to test hypotheses with data on 600 top global companies. The findings indicate that competitive and media pressures together with a company’s CSR media visibility and CSR publicity efforts are important determinants of GRI adoption. Also, as the GRI framework becomes more institutionalized, companies pick up more information from prior adopters.

The role of institutional and reputational factors in the voluntary adoption of corporate social responsibility reporting standards

In spite of considerable developments over the past century, the field of public 
relations continues to struggle with the issue of its proper position in the world. 
What is its role in the pursuit of a good or “full functioning” society? How can 
public relations add value to a global community? What are, in other words, its 
points of legitimacy in a world of growing complexity and interdependency (e.g., 
Heath, 2006)? These are complicated issues and public relations should not be 
blamed for failing to resolve them fully. The ongoing questioning, which has 
become part of the field’s self-reflective institutionalization, holds some important 
merits in itself (cf. Holmstrom, 2005). While the discipline continues to have a 
widely acknowledged image problem (Callison, 2001; Edwards, 2006; Hutton, 
1999; Newsom, Ramsey, & Carrell, 1993), the quest for an ethical public relations 
paradigm has been shaping the field for several decades (Grunig & Hunt, 1984; 
Grunig, 1993, 2000; see also Bowen, 2005; David, 2004; Edgett, 2002; Kent & 
Taylor, 2002; Woodward, 2000) to the effect that it is now considered central to 
the field’s self-understanding (Seib & Fitzpatrick, 1995; Starck & Kruckeberg, 
2003). Consequently, public relations has the potential to become a key driver 
towards a better society. The aim of this chapter is to add new dimensions to our 
understanding of that challenge and how it can be met in a society focused on 
increased information about organizations and their activities.

Public Relations and the Strategic Use of Transparency: Consistency, Hypocrisy, and Corporate Change

Reputation Management: The Key to Successful Public Relations and Corporate Communication

This article presents an overview of the evolution and emerging architecture of the public relations academic discipline. Key developments and debates are described, highlighting some of the major tensions and debates that have arisen. The scope of discussion proceeds through definitions, a consideration of historical contexts, evolution of public relations research, key approaches, an introduction to the remit of key journals, and finally, consideration as to emerging themes and possible futures. It is suggested that the increasing emphasis on historical, sociological and cultural themes is leading to an increasingly reflexive and diverse field. © 2013 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Public Relations: A Discipline in Transformation

The role of records management in governance-based evidence, service delivery and development in South African communities

Purpose – “Reputation management” is widely used as a rationale for public relations, although the public relations practice has problems with its own reputation. Public relations is presented in textbooks as a mature management discipline, yet the term “public relations” is rejected by many practitioners and academics. “Reputation management” may have been introduced to counter negative associations and to gain status for the practice. The purpose of this paper is to use critical theory to question the ideas and assumptions underlying “reputation management” and to examine contradictions within the term.Design/methodology/approach – The paper reviews what this theory has to say about public relations and its claim to be a mature management discipline. It examines how public relations practitioners explain their role to internal and external publics.Findings – An initial literature review suggests that the contradictions within “reputation management” mirror contradictions within public relations practice...

D. Noble

Papers

Contradictions in “reputation management”