Communication Practitioners Research Articles

Navigating the Skies: The Aviation Industry’s Corporate Social Responsibility Communication for Human Trafficking Awareness

ABSTRACT Corporate social responsibility (CSR) communication has not yet fully explored the issue of human trafficking, especially not specifically in the aviation industry. The present study examines Group III mainline passenger airlines in the United States to understand how those airlines communicate their CSR efforts related to human trafficking as well as how those airlines engaged with stakeholders in this work. Using a six-phase thematic analysis approach, the analysis of airline CSR communication revealed that 7 of 10 airlines used a human rights lens to frame human trafficking, that human trafficking was part of airline community outreach and community connection efforts and important to combating labor trafficking in airline supply chains; and that training and partnership efforts were employed to engage key stakeholders. Findings present theoretical and practical implications for students, researchers, and communication practitioners working in CSR for human trafficking.

Exploring the Role of Immersive Media Technologies in Environmental Communication: A Case Study of Underwater Earth Projects

ABSTRACT In the field of environmental communication, immersive media have become powerful tools for engaging audiences and promoting deeper connections with the natural world. This article investigates the role of immersive technologies in environmental communication through a case study of the Underwater Earth project. Employing a thematic analysis approach, the study examines the use of immersive technologies as the medium for conveying environmental messages, including narrative techniques, visual elements, interactive features, and user engagement strategies. The study also highlights the importance of user experiences when creating impactful environmental narratives in virtual environments. The implications of this research extend to environmental experts, communication practitioners, and technology developers who are seeking to leverage immersive technologies for environmental advocacy and education. By understanding the strengths and limitations of immersive technologies as an environmental communication medium, practitioners can use these insights to create more compelling immersive experiences that inspire management and promote sustainability in an increasingly digital world.

Sustainable internal communication and digital trends amidst an energy crisis: can a middle ground be found in South Africa?

PurposeThis study aims to explore the impact of current trends like the development of digital communication channels and a greater focus on sustainability, together with external pressures such as a growing electricity crisis on how internal communication is practiced, by using South African internal communication as context.Design/methodology/approachTwo rounds of qualitative semi-structured interviews were conducted with senior internal communication practitioners and consultants to provide a robust view of the research problem.FindingsIt was found that external pressures and trends were viewed as more important than incorporating the broader definition of sustainability into the practice of internal communication. It became clear that internal communication must negotiate seemingly opposing demands like moving to digital communication, while facing electricity shortages and balancing economic pressures with stakeholder inclusion in messages. The findings suggest that internal communication cement organisational survival but should embody the environmental and social elements of sustainability.Originality/valueThe study contributes new insights to the importance of internal communication during crisis times, like the energy crisis in this study. Internal communication should embody the wider sustainability discussion during periods when challenging external forces are at work.

Communication and engagement for basic science: insights and practical considerations

Basic research underpins the innovations that power the global economy and shape society. It is the focus of scientific investment for both The Kavli Foundation and the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Science. Yet it has been rare to see basic research command much attention, practice, or scholarship in science communication. In December 2020, we launched the Science Public Engagement Partnership, or SciPEP, a limited term public-private partnership, to dive into basic science communication headlong. Our work through SciPEP has led to new insights about audiences’ relationship to basic science, as well as the needs and interests of those who communicate basic research. We see a path forward that involves forging more partnerships between scholars who study science communication and practitioners of basic science communication.

Evaluations in science communication. Current state and future directions

Evaluations are becoming more important in science communication. But both science communication practitioners and researchers are not sufficiently utilizing the potential of evaluations yet. In this essay, we first define four requirements for rigorous evaluations of science communication activities and projects. To substantiate our argument, we take stock of the scientific literature, uncover deficiencies in current evaluation practices and identify potential causes. We conclude with laying out how different actors in the field — including science communication practitioners, professional associations, scientific institutions and funding bodies as well as researchers — can contribute to advancing evaluation practices in science communication as well as research on it.

Crisis and Emergency Risk Communication and Emotional Appeals in COVID-19 Public Health Messaging: Quantitative Content Analysis.

Although COVID-19 is no longer a global health emergency, it remains pervasive in Singapore, a city-state situated in Southeast Asia, with periodic waves of infection. In addition to disease management, strong communication strategies are critical in the government's response to the pandemic to keep the public updated and equip them in protecting themselves. Grounded in the crisis and emergency risk communication (CERC) framework and emotional appeals, this study aimed to analyze public health communication strategies in Singapore during the COVID-19 pandemic. Quantitative content analysis was conducted on 696 Facebook (Meta Platforms Inc) posts and 83 website articles published by Singapore-based public health institutions between January 2020 and September 2022. The results showed that increasing communication on message themes, such as inquisitive messaging and clarification, can enhance communication strategies. The use of emotional appeals also varies with time and should be carefully used as they are context-specific. Theoretically, this study contributes to advancements in the CERC framework and concepts of emotional appeals by exploring the applications and changes of CERC message types and emotional appeals at different phases. The findings can provide practical guidance for authorities and communication practitioners in developing effective communication strategies.

Marketing Communication Through e-WOM Strategy: Case Study in PT. Solusi Senyum Indonesia

Various promotional media are intensified to support the company profile (company image) in order to build reputation and trust in the target market/consumers. The company profile plays an important role in showing identity, by displaying the vision and mission and the products/services offered (Kris Nathan, 2016). The planned strategy must also be considered as well as possible so that it is effective and efficient. According to Henning (2004), E-WoM is a positive or negative review made based on potential, actual and trial results from consumers about a product/service via the internet. In this digital era, E-WoM is one of many marketing communication strategy options and greatly influences consumers' purchasing decisions. In its application some special ethics are required. Furthermore, this journal aims to examine the level of success of the e-WoM strategy and its impact on the company's image using observation methods with qualitative standards resulting from tagging social media platforms and e-commerce. It is hoped that professional communication practitioners within the company and the other will use this strategy as much as possible.

Digital Publik Relation KEMENSOS dalam Pemanfataan Sosial Media

In the rapidly developing digital era, social media has become a highly effective communication tool for various organizations, including government institutions. This study aims to analyze the digital public relations (PR) strategies of the Indonesian Ministry of Social Affairs (Kemensos) in utilizing social media, as well as to evaluate the effectiveness and challenges faced. This research employs a qualitative method with a case study approach. Data were collected through content analysis of Kemensos' social media, in-depth interviews with Kemensos officials and digital communication experts, and online surveys of the public to evaluate their perceptions and engagement with Kemensos' social media content. The results show that Kemensos implements various digital PR strategies to increase public awareness and participation in social programs. The published content includes information on social programs, education, and important announcements, presented in various formats such as text, images, and videos. However, Kemensos faces several challenges, such as crisis management and reputation management on social media.This study finds that Kemensos' use of social media significantly influences the public's image and trust in the institution. The level of public engagement with Kemensos' content is also quite high, indicating the effectiveness of the implemented digital communication strategies. However, there is a need to improve responsiveness and crisis management in dealing with issues that arise on social media. Based on these findings, this study provides practical recommendations for Kemensos to enhance their digital PR strategies, including improving content quality, better crisis management, and increasing public engagement. This research also contributes to the development of digital public relations strategies in other government institutions, providing insights for academics and communication practitioners.

Students’ Conceptualisations of “Peace” and “War” in Drawing–Text Combinations: A Metapragmatic Multimodal Analysis

In this article, we investigate (partly guided) conceptualisations of “peace” (and “war”) in children’s school drawings and their accompanying textual framings. We draw on a transdisciplinary framework grounded in ethnography and metapragmatics, combining tools from socio‐pragmatic (critical) approaches to multimodal discourse. Our data consists of authentically generated, photographed image‐text worksheets that were publicly displayed on the fence of a primary school in a small town in Northern Italy in April 2022. Combining qualitative and quantitative analytical procedures, the (textual and multimodal) conceptualisations range from peace as a very concrete mode of secure‐relaxed experience of basic relationships, of home and togetherness, and of self, to peace as care and unity on a more (global‐)political scale. Contrary to ideologies on children’s drawings as naïve‐unmediated “windows” to inner states, our analysis shows how the trans‐/locally re‐/produced repertoire(s) of multimodal frozen mediated actions (including emblematic patterns such as emojis, peace‐flags, comics‐speech bubbles, etc.) are deployed ranging from realistic scenes to abstract and complex visual designs. Thereby, children show themselves as literate and often humorous‐creative practitioners of visual communication.

Analisis Strategi Komunikasi Politik untuk Membangun Citra Politik

This study aims to analyze the political communication strategies used in building a political image. With dynamic changes in the world of politics and media, political communication strategies have become key in shaping public perceptions of political leaders and parties. Qualitative research methods were used to analyze case studies from various political contexts. Key findings highlight the importance of consistent and measurable messages, the use of social media as a key tool in delivering political messages, as well as the strategic role of narratives in influencing public opinion. In addition, identification of the right target audience and adaptation of messages according to their needs are also key elements of a successful political communication strategy. The implications of these findings can help political decision-makers and communication practitioners to be more effective in building and maintaining the desired political image. The development of a more holistic and sustainable political communication strategy can help improve the quality of political dialog, strengthen public participation, and strengthen the overall foundation of democracy.

Exploring perceived learning effectiveness in virtual reality health communication through the lens of construal level theory

BackgroundVirtual reality is increasingly being used for health communication. This study aimed to propose and test an integrated model of the determinants of perceived learning effectiveness in virtual reality (VR) within health communication. It proposes that psychological distance negatively affects immersion, flow, and presence, positively affecting perceived learning effectiveness.MethodsThe Fuzzy Decision Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory Method (F-DEMATEL) and structural equation modeling (SEM) were used to test the proposed model. Data for the F-DEMATEL study were collected from 20 participants, whereas data for the SEM study were collected from 1104 participants, with 775 included in the final analysis.ResultsThe results of the F-DEMATEL study revealed that the three dimensions of psychological distance, emotional distance, spatial distance, and social distance are causal factors. In contrast, temporal, technical, and hypothetical distance are effect factors. The SEM results confirmed the negative effects of psychological distance on flow and presence and the positive effects of immersion and presence on perceived learning effectiveness. In addition, the mediating role of presence was confirmed.ConclusionsThe results suggest that interrelationships among the factors can enhance the perceived learning effectiveness of health communication from VR. The crucial role of ensuring low psychological distance and high engagement in VR communication is also confirmed, providing crucial implications for VR communication practitioners.

From “minimalists” to “professional all-rounders”: Typologizing Swiss universities’ communication practices and structures

Abstract In the past two decades, the public communication of universities has become more important and received increased scholarly attention. While many studies have focused on individual university communicators (micro level) or all such practitioners in one country (macro level), our study analyzes organizational differences. It is the first-ever study to typologize universities’ communication practices and structures at the organizational level across an entire country. Based on a survey of communication practitioners in the central communication offices at all universities in Switzerland and using hierarchical cluster analysis, we classify 37 universities into four types of communicating universities: minimalists, well-resourced competitors, specialized strategists, and professional all-rounders. Those types are further characterized on the basis of official statistics. The analysis shows that the four types of universities differ considerably in their communication patterns and organizational characteristics and that the amount of resources available for communication is only loosely coupled with professional and strategic communication practices.

#AISCICOMM24. Discussing the role of (generative) AI for science communication research and science communication practice

The annual conference of the Science Communication Division of the German Communication Association (DGPuK) was held in Zurich, Switzerland, from 5–7 June 2024. The conference attracted around 125 researchers and science communication practitioners from Europe and beyond. In this review, I provide an overview of the conference and discuss some of the challenges for researching AI in science communication as well as for science communication practice.

CPD: The art of non-verbal communication

Optometrist and medical student, Anneka Ali, considers the implications of non-verbal communication for eye care practitioners

Strategi Komunikasi Caleg Petahana DPRD Kota Padang

This research aims to understand the communication strategies of incumbent candidates of the Regional House of Representatives in Padang City who were successfully re-elected in the 2024 elections. A qualitative method was used, with three candidate informants and five constituents. The data was analyzed using James E. Grunig's dialogue theory. The main findings reveal three strategies: adjustment of communication language, strengthening emotional relationships, and maintenance of good relations and empathy. This research has important implications for political communication practitioners and researchers. It highlights the significance of two-way communication and public engagement in building relationships between politicians and constituents. It also emphasizes the importance of building emotional relationships and empathy, as they contribute to increased constituent trust and support. Additionally, the research suggests adjusting communication strategies according to constituent characteristics.

Hate-Speech in Greece and Cyprus: How Public Communication Practitioners Discuss the Phenomenon

ABSTRACT (Online) hate speech appears as a growing problem in Greece and Cyprus attributed to prejudices toward specific groups, the evolution of online media, lack of awareness and of appropriate educational tools to recognize and counter it. Communication professionals and media practitioners produce hate speech content both intentionally, to gain visibility and unintentionally due to their inability to recognize it. This paper presents a study conducted simultaneously for the first time in Greece and Cyprus that explored the issue of (online) hate speech, approaching it in a socio-centric rationale as hate discourse. The issue was researched through a qualitative inquiry with semi-structured interviews and focus groups conducted in Greece and Cyprus. According to the personal and professional perceptions of the public communication experts who participated in our research, hate speech impacts predominantly vulnerable social groups, and the deficiency in legal frameworks in both countries enables rather than combats this pathogenesis. This paper contributes toward a better understanding of hate speech in the two countries and how public communication practitioners perceive and experience it.

Forecasting the Spread of Sustainability Movement: Computational Analysis on Social Media Messages Promoting Climate Actions

Growing concerns about climate change have led to sustainability campaigns via social media. Few researchers have explored how public responses are influenced by social media messages about sustainability and what factors of these campaigns increase their success. This study examines how sustainability issues are communicated and what features of social media messages promote audience engagement by applying the information-quality and message-valence theories. This study used computational content analysis to collect and analyze tweets about a climate-action movement created by the United Nations for three years, from 2020 to 2022. Initially, 1,070,930 tweets were collected, and 59,181 tweets were retained to test the hypotheses. The results showed that the number of shares increased with high word count, the presence of hashtags, and visual content but decreased with URLs, a verified tag, and positive sentiment. Our findings extend the existing literature by elaborating the roles of information qualities in the context of social media messages about sustainability. This study provides communication practitioners with an equation model to predict shares of a climate-action campaign message on social media.

Health Communication in an Era of Disinformation: Perceived Source Credibility Among Transgender and Gender Diverse Individuals

This study examines perceived source credibility of health information in a moment of TGD health disinformation. Through thematic analysis of in-depth interviews with 30 transgender and gender diverse (TGD) individuals, findings suggest health information is marred by anti-TGD legislation, a sociopolitical force that bleeds into health information spaces. Disinformation and TGD health communication are intertwined in complex ways, whereby disinformation can undermine trust in healthcare institutions, lead to harmful behaviors, and contribute to the spread of diseases. Health communication practitioners need to center the safety and humanity of TGD people, addressing TGD health disinformation.

“Trust Me, I’m a Doctor.” How TikTok Videos from Different Sources Influence Clinical Trial Participation

ABSTRACT This study experiments with TikTok videos to promote clinical trial participation. More specifically, it examines how short-form video sources (doctors vs. prior volunteers for clinical trials) influence perceived source credibility, self-efficacy, and behavioral intention to participate in clinical trials. Findings from this online experiment (N = 396) showed that doctor sources led to greater behavioral intention through enhancing source credibility compared to prior volunteer sources. Alternatively, prior volunteer sources increased behavioral intention via enhanced self-efficacy for participants with low trust in doctors. These findings contribute to the understanding of how short-form video sources act as heuristic cues, leading to persuasion outcomes. Overall, we recommend featuring doctors when using video-based messages to promote clinical trial participation. Also, this study emphasizes the need for health communication practitioners to consider prior volunteers as spokespersons when targeting populations with low baseline trust in doctors.

Representation of terrorism: dangerous art of mass communication practitioners

Преобладание установки на зрелищность, отличающее масс-медиа эпохи глобализации, а также обилие информационных каналов и борьба за аудиторию, приводят СМИ к необходимости поиска такого контента, который бы привлек внимание как можно большего количества людей. Один из способов – подача эмоционально-возбуждающих, шокирующих фактов, в числе которых оказываются и сообщения о террористических актах. Рассматриваются не только указанные причины такой ситуации, но и следствия из нее, а также анализируется феномен киберджихада, или цифрового джихада (использование интернета для изменения отношения к терактам, а также как способ вербовки новых членов террористических организаций). Эксплуатация интернет-площадок террористами таит в себе опасность и делает все более актуальным исследование средств противодействия этой деятельности.