Journal of Communication Management 

About: Journal of Communication Management is an academic journal published by Emerald Publishing Limited. The journal publishes majorly in the area(s): Communications management & Corporate communication. It has an ISSN identifier of 1363-254X. Over the lifetime, 718 publications have been published receiving 17281 citations.

Do consumers really care about corporate responsibility? Highlighting the attitude—behaviour gap

Abstract: According to the press at the turn of the year 1999—2000, a good corporate reputation for responsible marketing is a key element in business success. One justification for this is the assumption that consumers are interested in how companies behave and this has an influence upon their consumption behaviour. There is also the suggestion that a financial pay‐off is to be gained from good behaviour. Conflicting reports in previous research cast doubt upon the reliability of these assumptions, and there are few studies which unequivocally support positive consumer purchasing in return for responsible marketing. This paper reviews current opinion and evidence in relation to the growing interest in corporate reputation, and reports findings from focus group research which casts doubt upon the efficacy of corporate reputation in influencing positive consumer purchase behaviour.

Corporate responsibility: The communication challenge

Abstract: An ever‐increasing number of companies are recognising the reputational risks and opportunities that corporate responsibility brings, and for these companies aligning corporate behaviour with stakeholder expectations is an ongoing business priority Communication, however, often remains the missing link in the practice of corporate responsibility The information requirements of a range of opinion leader and mass stakeholder audiences are not currently being satisfied by many companies, so they are not getting full credit for their responsible corporate behaviour Of course, there are specific challenges in communicating corporate responsibility – including scepticism towards company messages and potentially hostile reactions from the media, campaign groups and others The diverse information requirements of different stakeholder groups also present special communication challenges, and these requirements are examined in turn Using MORI’s British opinion research to illustrate the case, this paper first examines communication to opinion leader audiences (such as legislators, business press, investors and non‐governmental organisations), and in particular the opportunities and limitations of the social report It then goes on to address communication of corporate responsibility to the general public and the need to trigger wider consumer engagement in this topic Lastly, it covers the communication opportunity presented by companies’ own employees and the internal communication challenges surrounding corporate responsibility The paper suggests, in conclusion, that effective communication of corporate responsibility depends on a clear strategy which evaluates both the opportunities and the risks to the brand, and which tailors messages to different stakeholder groups It calls for a coordinated approach, which ideally embeds corporate responsibility messages into mainstream communications The paper also identifies internal communication as an under‐utilised and potentially powerful channel for enhancing a company’s reputation for responsibility among its key stakeholders

Unpacking the halo effect: reputation and crisis management

Abstract: Purpose – Crisis managers believe in the value of a favorable, pre‐crisis reputation. The prior reputation can create a halo effect that protects an organization during a crisis. The prior reputation/halo might work as a shield that deflects the potential reputational damage from a crisis. Or the prior reputation/halo might encourage stakeholders to give the organization the benefit of the doubt in the crisis (reduce attributions of crisis responsibility). Oddly, researchers have had little luck in producing a halo effect for prior reputation in crisis situations. The purpose of this paper is to present two studies designed to test if the halo effect could occur and which of the two dynamics of the prior reputation halo best serve to explain the benefits of a favorable, pre‐crisis reputation.Design/methodology/approach – The research focuses on a set of studies conducted to illustrate the halo effect and to explore how it serves to protect an organization during a crisis. The implications of the findings ...

Reputation and corporate responsibility

Abstract: In this paper the author tracks the rise of corporate social responsibility (CSR) as a concern and an ever‐growing factor in stakeholder expectations. Using MORI data from a range of stakeholder audiences, the author argues that CSR is now established as a fundamental addition to stakeholders’ criteria for judging companies, and calls for a reappraisal of companies’ brand and reputation management. As well as being a threat to companies’ reputation and prosperity, CSR also represents an opportunity, as a potential basis for renewed trust between business and its stakeholders.

The negative communication dynamic

Abstract: Purpose – The purpose of this research is to present a study designed to test if anger is a mediator in the relationship between crisis responsibility and negative word‐of‐mouth and crisis responsibility and purchase intention. Emphasizes the relationship between anger, crisis responsibility, and intended negative word‐of‐mouth, what we call the negative communication dynamic. Researchers have just begun to explore the role of affect in crisis communication by linking it to behavioral intentions and proving that crisis affect is largely a function of crisis responsibility (perceived organizational responsibility for the crisis).Design/methodology/approach – An experimental design is used to test for the mediator relationship. The design reflects the study's theoretical link to Attribution Theory.Findings – The results support that anger is a moderator in the relationship between crisis responsibility and intended negative word‐of‐mouth and between crisis responsibility and purchase intention.Research limi...