Hardback
Elgar Encyclopedia of Corporate Communication
This comprehensive Encyclopedia captures the intricacies of corporate communication, offering 87 clear, succinct definitions of important concepts within marketing, business, organizational communication and public relations followed by critical, literary analyses of significant research ventures.
More Information
Critical Acclaim
Contributors
Contents
More Information
This comprehensive Encyclopedia captures the intricacies of corporate communication, offering 87 clear, succinct definitions of important concepts within marketing, business, organizational communication and public relations followed by critical, literary analyses of significant research ventures.
Emphasizing the interdisciplinary nature of corporate communication, this timely Encyclopedia links topics including selected theories, organization as an entity, corporate branding, corporate responsibilities, corporate misbehaviour, communication processes and tools, stakeholder engagement, corporate communication outcomes and negative corporate association in a clear and accessible format. Eleven key themes are addressed to fully illustrate the complexity of communication in a modern corporate landscape, ranging from selected theories and theoretical approaches to positive and negative corporate associations, providing both practical and conceptual insight. Further recommended readings which demonstrate the expansive nature of topics within corporate communication are provided.
The Elgar Encyclopedia of Corporate Communication will be an essential reference text for students focusing on corporate communication and related management disciplines and fields such as communication, corporate identity and reputation, branding, public relations, marketing and organizational behaviour. Due to its real-world implications, it will additionally be of great benefit for practitioners seeking to understand important trends and developments within corporate communication.
Emphasizing the interdisciplinary nature of corporate communication, this timely Encyclopedia links topics including selected theories, organization as an entity, corporate branding, corporate responsibilities, corporate misbehaviour, communication processes and tools, stakeholder engagement, corporate communication outcomes and negative corporate association in a clear and accessible format. Eleven key themes are addressed to fully illustrate the complexity of communication in a modern corporate landscape, ranging from selected theories and theoretical approaches to positive and negative corporate associations, providing both practical and conceptual insight. Further recommended readings which demonstrate the expansive nature of topics within corporate communication are provided.
The Elgar Encyclopedia of Corporate Communication will be an essential reference text for students focusing on corporate communication and related management disciplines and fields such as communication, corporate identity and reputation, branding, public relations, marketing and organizational behaviour. Due to its real-world implications, it will additionally be of great benefit for practitioners seeking to understand important trends and developments within corporate communication.
Critical Acclaim
‘This Encyclopedia has thoroughly covered the multifaceted aspects of corporate communications into one cohesive and compelling compendium of relevant readings. The entries have been written by leading researchers and thinkers in the field, in which they have elucidated the contemporary challenges faced by academics and practitioners in the corporate world that we are living in. This is such a huge task to undertake and a commendation goes to the author and his publishing team.’
– Professor T C Melewar, Middlesex University, UK
‘I am pleased to endorse this new book The Elgar Encyclopedia of Corporate Communications, edited by Klement Podnar, assisted by entries from many learned colleagues from around the world. The book will provide a welcome addition to this important field of activity of practitioner and academic activity. In a time and day of much-needed corporate scrutiny, all business must be enabled - not only to communicate with stakeholders and the general public, but also be able to defend themselves against negative communication from outside the business. It is not enough just to market and sell goods and services, or to make profits and generate returns on investment. Nor is sufficient to purely enrich shareholders or generate director benefits. The company that fails to communicate or communicates poorly - unless it changes - is a company, corporation or institution - destined to the dustbin of economic history. Indeed, markets and customer needs will change, technology will continue to accelerate, and governments may legislate. But corporations and businesses must communicate and do it well to survive and thrive as the 21st century continues to unfold. This book provides needed insight into every facet of corporate communications, and hence offers assistance to managers and readers everywhere to do better than before.’
– Professor Philip J Kitchen, ICN-Artem School of Business, France
‘Few publications earn a permanent place on the desks of both professionals and academics. This work undeniably secures such a position as an indispensable reference, enabling proficient navigation within a discipline that holds pivotal importance in both academia and practice. A reliable source ensuring thoroughness, leaving no margin for oversight.’
– Professor Francesco Lurati, University of Lugano, Switzerland
‘The Encyclopedia of Corporate Communication offers an essential and comprehensive resource for academics and professionals interested in corporate communication. Covering diverse theories, branding, responsibility, misconduct, crisis management, communication processes, stakeholder engagement, and outcomes, the compilation offers valuable insights for understanding and managing corporate communication challenges effectively. It’s a ‘must-have’ reference for anyone who wants to excel in the field.’
– Professor Heidi Schultz, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, US
‘Corporate communication, as a field of study and practice, has grown ever more significant over the last decade. This timely Encyclopedia offers the most comprehensive reference on the subject that is out there for students and practitioners alike. All relevant concepts and terms are neatly organized, well explained and written by the leading authors on each topic. As such, I have no doubt that this Encyclopedia will be the go-to source for the subject for years to come.’
– Professor Joep Cornelissen, author of Corporate Communication: A Guide to Theory and Practice, the Netherlands
– Professor T C Melewar, Middlesex University, UK
‘I am pleased to endorse this new book The Elgar Encyclopedia of Corporate Communications, edited by Klement Podnar, assisted by entries from many learned colleagues from around the world. The book will provide a welcome addition to this important field of activity of practitioner and academic activity. In a time and day of much-needed corporate scrutiny, all business must be enabled - not only to communicate with stakeholders and the general public, but also be able to defend themselves against negative communication from outside the business. It is not enough just to market and sell goods and services, or to make profits and generate returns on investment. Nor is sufficient to purely enrich shareholders or generate director benefits. The company that fails to communicate or communicates poorly - unless it changes - is a company, corporation or institution - destined to the dustbin of economic history. Indeed, markets and customer needs will change, technology will continue to accelerate, and governments may legislate. But corporations and businesses must communicate and do it well to survive and thrive as the 21st century continues to unfold. This book provides needed insight into every facet of corporate communications, and hence offers assistance to managers and readers everywhere to do better than before.’
– Professor Philip J Kitchen, ICN-Artem School of Business, France
‘Few publications earn a permanent place on the desks of both professionals and academics. This work undeniably secures such a position as an indispensable reference, enabling proficient navigation within a discipline that holds pivotal importance in both academia and practice. A reliable source ensuring thoroughness, leaving no margin for oversight.’
– Professor Francesco Lurati, University of Lugano, Switzerland
‘The Encyclopedia of Corporate Communication offers an essential and comprehensive resource for academics and professionals interested in corporate communication. Covering diverse theories, branding, responsibility, misconduct, crisis management, communication processes, stakeholder engagement, and outcomes, the compilation offers valuable insights for understanding and managing corporate communication challenges effectively. It’s a ‘must-have’ reference for anyone who wants to excel in the field.’
– Professor Heidi Schultz, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, US
‘Corporate communication, as a field of study and practice, has grown ever more significant over the last decade. This timely Encyclopedia offers the most comprehensive reference on the subject that is out there for students and practitioners alike. All relevant concepts and terms are neatly organized, well explained and written by the leading authors on each topic. As such, I have no doubt that this Encyclopedia will be the go-to source for the subject for years to come.’
– Professor Joep Cornelissen, author of Corporate Communication: A Guide to Theory and Practice, the Netherlands
Contributors
Contributors include: Subhash Abhayawansa, Carol A. Adams, Sophie Esmann Andersen, Moritz Appels, Jana Arbeiter, John M. T. Balmer, Erika Benčec, Joshua M. Bentley, Guido Berens, Clive R. Boddy, Achilleas Boukis, Humphrey Bourne, Jana Brockhaus, Mario Burghausen, Craig E. Carroll, Lars Thøger Christensen, Emma Christensen, Ruben Chumpitaz, W. Timothy Coombs, Jacob Dahl Rendtorff, Katherine Dunn, Sabine Einwiller, Wim J. L. Elving, Ari-Matti Erjansola, Michael Etter, Jiayu Gina Qu, Urša Golob Podnar, Jens Hagelstein, Ulla Hakala, Robert L. Heath, Mats Heide, Minh Ngoc Ho, Christiane Marie Høvring, Laura Illia, Zlatko Jančič, Winni Johansen, Michael L. Kent, Sora Kim, Stuart Kirsch, Andrej Kohont, Timothy Kuhn, Adam Lindgreen, Angela Lindt, Jukka Lipponen, Tinca Lukan, Jim Macnamara, Carmen Daniela Maier, François Maon, Gregory Mark, Amisha Mehta, Michela Mingione, Brian T. Moriarty, Monica Musolino, Ana Marija Mustafai, Klement Podnar, Irene Pollach, Adele Potgieter, Iztok Prezelj, Khanyapuss Punjaisri, Silvia Ravazzani, Teodora Tea Ristevska, Christopher Ruppel, Shima Saniei, Dennis Schoeneborn, Dubravka Sinčić Ćorić, Julia Stranzl, Trine Susanne Johansen, Valérie Swaen, Ilona Szőcs, Amalia Triantafillidou, Urška Tuškej Lovšin, Ellen Tyquin, Katja Udir Mišič, Boštjan Udovič, Nur Uysal, Joëlle Vanhamme, Ana Tkalac Verčič, Christine Viertmann, Sophia C. Volk, Yijing Wang, Franzisca Weder, Peter Winkler, Daniel Wolfgruber, Chelsea L. Woods, Ansgar Zerfass, Vesna Žabkar
Contents
Contents:
Preface xvi
1 Corporate communication 1
Klement Podnar
THEME I SELECTED THEORIES
AND THEORETICAL
APPROACHES
2 Stakeholder theory 11
Brian T. Moriarty
3 Actor-network theory 17
Monica Musolino
4 Theory of social exchange 23
Zlatko Jančič
5 Social constructionist theory 29
Mats Heide
6 Sensemaking theory 33
Urša Golob Podnar
7 Communication
Constitutes Organization 37
Dennis Schoeneborn, Peter
Winkler and Timothy Kuhn
8 Social identity approach 43
Klement Podnar
9 Co-creation 54
Sophie Esmann Andersen and
Christiane Marie Høvring
10 Agenda-setting theory 60
Craig E. Carroll
THEME II ORGANIZATION AS
AN ENTITY
11 Legal personality 68
Gregory Mark
12 Corporate identity 74
Mario Burghausen
13 Organizational values 83
Humphrey Bourne
14 Corporate heritage 89
Mario Burghausen
15 Narrated organization 97
Trine Susanne Johansen
16 Organizational identity 102
Klement Podnar
17 Organizational culture 110
Winni Johansen
18 Person-organization fit 117
Yijing Wang
THEME III CORPORATE BRANDING
19 Corporate brand 122
Mario Burghausen
20 (Corporate) ethical branding 132
François Maon and Adam Lindgreen
21 Corporate brand alignment 137
Michela Mingione
22 Corporate brand architecture 143
John M.T. Balmer
23 Co-branding 149
Ulla Hakala
24 Rebranding 155
Ulla Hakala
25 Internal branding 161
Khanyapuss Punjaisri
26 Employer branding 168
Adele Potgieter
27 Corporate brand communication 176
John M.T. Balmer
THEME IV CORPORATE
RESPONSIBILITIES
28 Corporate social responsibility 181
Valérie Swaen, Joëlle
Vanhamme and Ruben Chumpitaz
29 Social license to operate 187
Shima Saniei
30 Transparency 190
Lars Thøger Christensen
31 Socially responsible investing 195
Nur Uysal
32 Sustainable finance 200
Minh Ngoc Ho, Subhash
Abhayawansa and Carol A. Adams
33 Corporate social
responsibility communication 206
Urša Golob Podnar
34 Corporate sociopolitical activism 212
Moritz Appels
THEME V CORPORATE
MISBEHAVIOUR
35 Corporate (marketing) myopia 218
Vesna Žabkar
36 Corporate hypocrisy 224
Christiane Marie Høvring and
Sophie Esmann Andersen
37 Corporate oxymorons 230
Angela Lindt and Stuart Kirsch
38 Moral blindness 236
Jacob Dahl Rendtorff
39 Corporate guilt (management) 240
Irene Pollach, Carmen Daniela
Maier and Silvia Ravazzani
40 Unethical
pro-organizational behavior 246
Daniel Wolfgruber
41 Corporate psychopaths 251
Clive R. Boddy
THEME VI ISSUES, CHANGE AND
CRISIS MANAGEMENT
42 Issues management 259
Chelsea L. Woods
43 Change communication 266
Wim J.L. Elving
Crisis management 272
Iztok Prezelj and Teodora Tea
Ristevska
45 Crisis communication 280
W. Timothy Coombs
46 Social media crisis communication 285
Amalia Triantafillidou
47 Corporate crisis contagion 292
Yijing Wang
48 Organizational apologies 296
Joshua M. Bentley
THEME VII COMMUNICATION PROCESS
49 Communication management 303
Christine Viertmann and Ansgar
Zerfass
50 Communication strategy 309
Sophia C. Volk and Ansgar Zerfass
51 Corporate storytelling 316
Franzisca Weder
52 Two-way communication 323
Michael L. Kent
53 Dialogue 326
Michael L. Kent
54 Corporate listening 331
Jim Macnamara
55 Corporate diplomacy 338
Jana Arbeiter and Boštjan Udovič
56 Internal marketing 343
Achilleas Boukis
THEME VIII COMMUNICATION
TOOLS
57 Internal communication 348
Ana Tkalac Verčič
58 Multisource feedback 355
Andrej Kohont
59 Corporate visual identity 361
Ari-Matti Erjansola and Jukka
Lipponen
60 Corporate design 367
Katja Udir Mišič
61 Corporate advertising 373
Vesna Žabkar
62 Corporate philanthropy 378
Ilona Szőcs
63 Cause-related marketing 385
Dubravka Sinčić Ćorić
64 Corporate online communication 390
Sora Kim and Jiayu Gina Qu
65 Social influencer marketing 399
Tinca Lukan and Klement Podnar
THEME IX STAKEHOLDER
ENGAGEMENT
66 Audiences 407
Ana Marija Mustafai and
Klement Podnar
67 Pressure groups 415
Robert L. Heath
68 Employee advocacy 422
Emma Christensen
69 Corporate influencers 426
Jana Brockhaus and Ansgar Zerfass
70 Brand communities 433
Jens Hagelstein and Ansgar Zerfass
THEME X CORPORATE COMMUNICATION
OUTCOMES
71 Corporate image 438
Yijing Wang
72 Corporate reputation 443
Craig E. Carroll
73 Organizational trust 450
Guido Berens
74 Brand anthropomorphism 454
Urška Tuškej Lovšin
75 Consumer-brand identification 460
Urška Tuškej Lovšin
76 Corporate gratitude 466
Erika Benčec and Klement Podnar
77 Social acceptability 470
Klement Podnarr and Ana
Marija Mustafai
78 Perceived external prestige 478
Katja Udir Mišič
79 Organizational identification 484
Daniel Wolfgruber and Sabine
Einwiller
80 Organizational commitment 490
Julia Stranzl
THEME XI NEGATIVE CORPORATE
ASSOCIATIONS
81 Organizational distrust 495
Ellen Tyquin and Amisha Mehta
82 Organizational stigma 501
Laura Illia and Michael Etter
83 Consumer scepticism 507
Katherine Dunn
84 CSR scepticism 514
Katherine Dunn
85 Consumer complaining 519
Sabine Einwiller
86 Organizational disidentification 523
Christopher Ruppel
87 Job disengagement 528
Julia Stranzl
Preface xvi
1 Corporate communication 1
Klement Podnar
THEME I SELECTED THEORIES
AND THEORETICAL
APPROACHES
2 Stakeholder theory 11
Brian T. Moriarty
3 Actor-network theory 17
Monica Musolino
4 Theory of social exchange 23
Zlatko Jančič
5 Social constructionist theory 29
Mats Heide
6 Sensemaking theory 33
Urša Golob Podnar
7 Communication
Constitutes Organization 37
Dennis Schoeneborn, Peter
Winkler and Timothy Kuhn
8 Social identity approach 43
Klement Podnar
9 Co-creation 54
Sophie Esmann Andersen and
Christiane Marie Høvring
10 Agenda-setting theory 60
Craig E. Carroll
THEME II ORGANIZATION AS
AN ENTITY
11 Legal personality 68
Gregory Mark
12 Corporate identity 74
Mario Burghausen
13 Organizational values 83
Humphrey Bourne
14 Corporate heritage 89
Mario Burghausen
15 Narrated organization 97
Trine Susanne Johansen
16 Organizational identity 102
Klement Podnar
17 Organizational culture 110
Winni Johansen
18 Person-organization fit 117
Yijing Wang
THEME III CORPORATE BRANDING
19 Corporate brand 122
Mario Burghausen
20 (Corporate) ethical branding 132
François Maon and Adam Lindgreen
21 Corporate brand alignment 137
Michela Mingione
22 Corporate brand architecture 143
John M.T. Balmer
23 Co-branding 149
Ulla Hakala
24 Rebranding 155
Ulla Hakala
25 Internal branding 161
Khanyapuss Punjaisri
26 Employer branding 168
Adele Potgieter
27 Corporate brand communication 176
John M.T. Balmer
THEME IV CORPORATE
RESPONSIBILITIES
28 Corporate social responsibility 181
Valérie Swaen, Joëlle
Vanhamme and Ruben Chumpitaz
29 Social license to operate 187
Shima Saniei
30 Transparency 190
Lars Thøger Christensen
31 Socially responsible investing 195
Nur Uysal
32 Sustainable finance 200
Minh Ngoc Ho, Subhash
Abhayawansa and Carol A. Adams
33 Corporate social
responsibility communication 206
Urša Golob Podnar
34 Corporate sociopolitical activism 212
Moritz Appels
THEME V CORPORATE
MISBEHAVIOUR
35 Corporate (marketing) myopia 218
Vesna Žabkar
36 Corporate hypocrisy 224
Christiane Marie Høvring and
Sophie Esmann Andersen
37 Corporate oxymorons 230
Angela Lindt and Stuart Kirsch
38 Moral blindness 236
Jacob Dahl Rendtorff
39 Corporate guilt (management) 240
Irene Pollach, Carmen Daniela
Maier and Silvia Ravazzani
40 Unethical
pro-organizational behavior 246
Daniel Wolfgruber
41 Corporate psychopaths 251
Clive R. Boddy
THEME VI ISSUES, CHANGE AND
CRISIS MANAGEMENT
42 Issues management 259
Chelsea L. Woods
43 Change communication 266
Wim J.L. Elving
Crisis management 272
Iztok Prezelj and Teodora Tea
Ristevska
45 Crisis communication 280
W. Timothy Coombs
46 Social media crisis communication 285
Amalia Triantafillidou
47 Corporate crisis contagion 292
Yijing Wang
48 Organizational apologies 296
Joshua M. Bentley
THEME VII COMMUNICATION PROCESS
49 Communication management 303
Christine Viertmann and Ansgar
Zerfass
50 Communication strategy 309
Sophia C. Volk and Ansgar Zerfass
51 Corporate storytelling 316
Franzisca Weder
52 Two-way communication 323
Michael L. Kent
53 Dialogue 326
Michael L. Kent
54 Corporate listening 331
Jim Macnamara
55 Corporate diplomacy 338
Jana Arbeiter and Boštjan Udovič
56 Internal marketing 343
Achilleas Boukis
THEME VIII COMMUNICATION
TOOLS
57 Internal communication 348
Ana Tkalac Verčič
58 Multisource feedback 355
Andrej Kohont
59 Corporate visual identity 361
Ari-Matti Erjansola and Jukka
Lipponen
60 Corporate design 367
Katja Udir Mišič
61 Corporate advertising 373
Vesna Žabkar
62 Corporate philanthropy 378
Ilona Szőcs
63 Cause-related marketing 385
Dubravka Sinčić Ćorić
64 Corporate online communication 390
Sora Kim and Jiayu Gina Qu
65 Social influencer marketing 399
Tinca Lukan and Klement Podnar
THEME IX STAKEHOLDER
ENGAGEMENT
66 Audiences 407
Ana Marija Mustafai and
Klement Podnar
67 Pressure groups 415
Robert L. Heath
68 Employee advocacy 422
Emma Christensen
69 Corporate influencers 426
Jana Brockhaus and Ansgar Zerfass
70 Brand communities 433
Jens Hagelstein and Ansgar Zerfass
THEME X CORPORATE COMMUNICATION
OUTCOMES
71 Corporate image 438
Yijing Wang
72 Corporate reputation 443
Craig E. Carroll
73 Organizational trust 450
Guido Berens
74 Brand anthropomorphism 454
Urška Tuškej Lovšin
75 Consumer-brand identification 460
Urška Tuškej Lovšin
76 Corporate gratitude 466
Erika Benčec and Klement Podnar
77 Social acceptability 470
Klement Podnarr and Ana
Marija Mustafai
78 Perceived external prestige 478
Katja Udir Mišič
79 Organizational identification 484
Daniel Wolfgruber and Sabine
Einwiller
80 Organizational commitment 490
Julia Stranzl
THEME XI NEGATIVE CORPORATE
ASSOCIATIONS
81 Organizational distrust 495
Ellen Tyquin and Amisha Mehta
82 Organizational stigma 501
Laura Illia and Michael Etter
83 Consumer scepticism 507
Katherine Dunn
84 CSR scepticism 514
Katherine Dunn
85 Consumer complaining 519
Sabine Einwiller
86 Organizational disidentification 523
Christopher Ruppel
87 Job disengagement 528
Julia Stranzl
