{"title":"The dark side of leadership communication: the impact of supervisor verbal aggressiveness on workplace culture, employee–organization relationships and counterproductive work behaviors","authors":"C. Yue, Y. Qin, L. Men","doi":"10.1108/ccij-04-2023-0050","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1108/ccij-04-2023-0050","url":null,"abstract":"PurposeThis study is designed to bridge a gap in the existing leadership communication literature by delving into lesser-explored facets of the field. It particularly concentrates on investigating how the verbal aggressiveness of supervisors influences various aspects of the workplace, including workplace emotional culture, the quality of employee–organization relationships (EORs) and the prevalence of counterproductive work behaviors (CWB).Design/methodology/approachThis study employed a quantitative research design to investigate the impact of supervisors' verbal aggressiveness on employee and organizational outcomes. The data were collected from 392 full-time employees across various organizations and industries in the USA using a self-report questionnaire. The researchers used structural equation modeling (SEM) to analyze the data and test hypotheses.FindingsThe findings of this study showed that supervisors' verbal aggressiveness had a significant positive association with negative emotional culture and employee CWB. However, it had no direct impact on employee–organization relationships. The effect of supervisor verbal aggressiveness on employee CWB was found to be mediated by a negative team-level emotional culture.Originality/valueThis study advances the literature on leadership communication by highlighting the detrimental influence of the dark side of leadership communication. More specifically, by identifying negative emotional culture and employee CWB as the direct outcomes of supervisor verbal aggressiveness, the authors add to the existing theoretical knowledge on verbal aggressiveness in the workplace. Additionally, this study provides empirical evidence of the impact of a negative emotional culture on eliciting employees' CWBs and diminishing relationship quality, adding to the body of knowledge on why managing emotional culture is crucial for organizations and workgroups.","PeriodicalId":10696,"journal":{"name":"Corporate Communications: An International Journal","volume":"5 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-12-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139002486","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Addressing global overconsumption: positioning the anti-consumption through communication appeals","authors":"A. Lučić, Marija Uzelac","doi":"10.1108/ccij-08-2023-0114","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1108/ccij-08-2023-0114","url":null,"abstract":"PurposeThe study aims to analyse the possibilities of positioning the anti-consumption through different communication appeals. It analyses commercial and social marketing campaigns in the global context, with the aim to recommend communication guidelines to empower anti-consumption among different industries.Design/methodology/approachThe study conducted a qualitative content analysis of marketing communication focused on anti-consumption promotion.FindingsThe results bring a comprehensive overview of possible communication appeals of anti-consumption and prove feasibility of their implementation. The analysis of used appeals leads to recommendations for developing effective marketing communication for promoting anti-consumption.Practical implicationsThe recommendations can serve both for-profit and non-profit organization as a showcase to discover the idea of anti-consumption as communication appeals. By empowering anti-consumption, consumers could reach personal welfare and participate in social equilibrium. Also, the study brings recommendations for further research considering the evaluation of the implemented strategies.Originality/valueThe study covers a gap in published literature focusing on comprehensive analysis of existing anti-consumption marketing communication strategies and appeals and brings an overview of potential strategies for empowering anti-consumption among modern consumers.","PeriodicalId":10696,"journal":{"name":"Corporate Communications: An International Journal","volume":"6 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-12-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"138598017","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Luke W. Capizzo, Teresia Nzau, Damilola Oduolowu, Margaret Duffy, Lauren Brengarth
{"title":"Permanent scars, improvisation and new paths forward: communication agency leadership responses to COVID-19","authors":"Luke W. Capizzo, Teresia Nzau, Damilola Oduolowu, Margaret Duffy, Lauren Brengarth","doi":"10.1108/ccij-05-2023-0079","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1108/ccij-05-2023-0079","url":null,"abstract":"PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to provide rich, qualitative insights around internal communication in strategic communication agencies, addressing the evolutions in expectations and best practices for agency leadership through COVID-19.Design/methodology/approachQualitative interview study with 18 US-based leaders of public relations and advertising agencies to examine their experiences of leading and managing strategic communication teams during COVID-19.FindingsSynthesized findings around changes in leadership values and important facets of ongoing internal crisis communication led to the development of the following five categories—Improvisation and Flexibility, Transparency and Trust, Ownership and Embodiment, Care and Empathy, Relationships and Resilience.Originality/valueUsing a high-value sample, the study is the first (to the best of the authors' knowledge) to focus on the crucial context of agencies and internal communication around COVID-19; diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI); and other pandemic-era challenges. It provides theoretical implications around ongoing, internal crisis communication and practical implications for agency leaders in crisis.","PeriodicalId":10696,"journal":{"name":"Corporate Communications: An International Journal","volume":"14 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-11-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139217296","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Editorial 28.6: Corporate social irresponsibility","authors":"M. Topić","doi":"10.1108/ccij-11-2023-177","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1108/ccij-11-2023-177","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":10696,"journal":{"name":"Corporate Communications: An International Journal","volume":"24 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-11-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139244828","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Combatting the “great discontent”: the impact of employability culture and leadership empowerment on career growth, loyalty and satisfaction","authors":"Danielle LaGree, Katie Olsen, Alec Tefertiller, Rosalynn Vasquez","doi":"10.1108/ccij-04-2023-0058","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1108/ccij-04-2023-0058","url":null,"abstract":"PurposeMotivated by the organizational challenge coined the great discontent, employees are dissatisfied with their jobs, see minimal opportunities for growth and are actively searching for new roles. This research aims to take a novel approach to internal communication strategy by introducing employability culture and leadership empowerment as mechanisms for supporting employees' career growth and additional positive workplace outcomes.Design/methodology/approachAn online survey was designed and administered in the United States. The final sample size includes 425 full-time employees working in a variety of roles, industries and work arrangements.FindingsFindings point to the inherent need for revised internal communication strategy that goes beyond managing and disseminating information. Organizations must develop cultures and their leaders in ways that empower employees and help them understand the meaning of their work. Employability culture, or an organization's support for developing employees' adaptive skills as work roles change, positively predicted employees' perceptions of their career growth opportunities at their current place of employment, employee loyalty and engagement, and job satisfaction. Leadership empowerment behaviors also positively predicted all previously listed workplace variables. These perceptions as influenced by work arrangement (onsite, hybrid, fully remote) and younger versus older generations were also analyzed.Originality/valueResearch findings offer new strategies for internal communications. Internal communication teams can partner alongside executive leadership to develop a culture that helps employees envision how their skills and expertise translates to different areas of the organization, empowering them to find meaning in their work, and be driven to support organizational growth.","PeriodicalId":10696,"journal":{"name":"Corporate Communications: An International Journal","volume":"14 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-11-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139266242","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Voice and “digital disruption” in internal communication job advertisements: proposing a vocality continuum","authors":"Sonya Sandham","doi":"10.1108/ccij-05-2023-0075","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1108/ccij-05-2023-0075","url":null,"abstract":"Purpose This study of job advertisements for internal communication practitioners aims to investigate the signals that organisations are sending the profession about what is required of these roles. The concept of corporate voice – the “voice” of the organisation – is problematised to explore tensions in vocality. The aim is to support communication practitioners to navigate multi-vocality in the evolving professional context of digital communication technologies and changes in the workplace. Design/methodology/approach This qualitative study considers the role of voice in corporate communication practices and offers insights into “digital disruption” and the discursive pressure of employers' priorities on the profession and its practices. Job advertisements for internal communication practitioners were examined during 6-month periods in 2018, 2020 and 2022, which was a significant time of change for the profession with the global COVID-19 pandemic. Findings Qualitative content analysis of 514 internal communication job advertisements identifies that control and consistency are valorised, and continue to dominate descriptions of internal communication skills and responsibilities. The digital affordances that communication practitioners rely on has not changed significantly and a preference for “broadcasting” is evident. Originality/value This study provides insights into how Australian organisations shape and sustain univocal corporate communication practices, and the incompatibility of narrow configurations of voice with emerging organisational challenges such as social connectedness.","PeriodicalId":10696,"journal":{"name":"Corporate Communications: An International Journal","volume":"62 5","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-11-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135092104","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Customer perception of corporate social responsibility and its impact on customer engagement: critical significance of corporate reputation","authors":"Zahoor Ahmad Parray, Junaid Iqbal, Rashid Mushtaq","doi":"10.1108/ccij-05-2023-0063","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1108/ccij-05-2023-0063","url":null,"abstract":"Purpose The primary goal of this research is to examine how corporate social responsibility (CSR) affects customer engagement (CE) and how corporate reputation (CR) serves as a mediator of this relationship. Design/methodology/approach The data for this paper were gathered from the customers who were actively engaging with the banks. A total of 445 questionnaires were circulated among the respondents, 397 were selected after removing the faulty ones, which estimates around 90% of the total questionnaire distributed. Customers were asked to record their perceptions regarding CSR, CR and CE. The data were collected from both the regions of Jammu and Kashmir simultaneously. Findings The findings reinforced the hypothesized associations, indicating that CR successfully and positively mediates the association between CSR and CE. Practical implications The outcomes of this study will assist top managers in the organization in understanding the significant impact of CSR and CR, as well as how they both positively impact the CE. Originality/value This research introduces a fresh dimension by exploring the influence of cognitive biases in shaping the relationship between CSR efforts, reputation-building and customer engagement. Through this innovative approach, the study establishes a more intricate and comprehensive link between theories, shedding light on the underlying mechanisms that drive these dynamics within the realm of corporate behavior and consumer perceptions.","PeriodicalId":10696,"journal":{"name":"Corporate Communications: An International Journal","volume":"81 4","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135162966","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"How healthy are employee-related CSR initiatives: a mapping and discussion of applying health-related employee benefits as part of companies' CSR programs","authors":"Line Schmeltz, Matilde Nisbeth Brøgger","doi":"10.1108/ccij-12-2022-0151","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1108/ccij-12-2022-0151","url":null,"abstract":"Purpose The aim of this study is to investigate the prevalence of corporate health initiatives as part of CSR, and how and to what extent these initiatives are communicated in CSR reports. Design/methodology/approach The study comprises two strands. First, a mapping of the extent and nature of health-related CSR initiatives among 11 selected Danish companies is developed, based on a qualitative email questionnaire. Next, the mapping serves as the framework for coding and analyzing CSR reports from 2018 to 2020 from 15 companies (45 in total). Findings The study provides a typology of the extent and nature of such CSR initiatives consisting of more than 50 types of health-related initiatives. Analysis of the CSR reports illustrates an increase in the explicit communication of employee health initiatives as well as the number of different categories applied over the three years. Practical implications The study provides CSR managers with awareness about the extent and usage of employee health as part of corporate communication on CSR, including how such initiatives can be communicated in the CSR report. It also gives rise to carefully considering the potential negative implications for employees when planning health initiatives. Originality/value The study is the first of its kind to combine the perspectives of CSR and workplace health promotion to discuss the potential institutionalization of employee health as part of the corporate CSR program.","PeriodicalId":10696,"journal":{"name":"Corporate Communications: An International Journal","volume":"115 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-10-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135689748","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"When relational transparency backfires: examining the various impacts of authentic leadership on employee trust during the COVID-19 pandemic","authors":"Qi Zheng, Chuqing Dong, Yafei Zhang","doi":"10.1108/ccij-05-2023-0066","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1108/ccij-05-2023-0066","url":null,"abstract":"Purpose This study examines how the different attributes of authentic leadership influence trust and employee organization fit and how such influences differ by gender and the level of positions during the COVID-19 pandemic. Design/methodology/approach The study employed a survey to examine US employees' perceptions toward different attributes of authentic leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic. Findings The study showed that self-awareness, balanced processing and internalized moral perspective positively relate to trust in the employer, mediated through employee–organization fit. However, relational transparency has a backfiring effect, negatively related to trust through the mediation of employee–organization fit. Additionally, this study highlights the differences in gender and level of positions in reactions to authentic leadership. Originality/value This study contributes to the understanding of internal public relations in a turbulent crisis time by proposing a mediated model that explains the effects of authentic leadership on employees' trust through their fit with the organization. Additionally, it identified that gender and position level are important factors moderating such effects.","PeriodicalId":10696,"journal":{"name":"Corporate Communications: An International Journal","volume":"22 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-10-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135790584","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Public relations professionals' views of moral entrepreneurship: an exploration of the concept, its benefits and barriers","authors":"Elina Erzikova, Diana Martinelli","doi":"10.1108/ccij-02-2023-0020","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1108/ccij-02-2023-0020","url":null,"abstract":"Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine US public relations professionals' perceptions of the benefits and challenges associated with the concept of moral entrepreneurship, defined as the purposeful process of changing or creating new institutionalized ethical norms. This study argues that the concept of moral entrepreneurship provides organizations with a potentially valuable framework to actively recognize societal pressures and problems and act accordingly to better the environment in which the organization resides and operates. Design/methodology/approach This exploratory study uses purposive in-depth interviews with 25 diverse public relations professionals, who represented communication firms, in-house public relations departments, higher education, nonprofits and government. Findings Respondents assigned a high value to the concept of moral entrepreneurship: In addition to its being viewed as the right thing to do, they recognized its practice as a way to help organizations recruit and retain employee talent and improve stakeholder trust. However, based on the interviews, organizational leadership is the primary initiator of ethical changes; therefore, without a seat at the management table, practitioners lack the influence to initiate such new organizational directions and take on the role of moral entrepreneurs only when directed to do so by their superiors. Barriers to adopting a moral entrepreneurship approach included a limited budget and shortage of staff, employees' resistance to change, fear of failure, poor leadership and a politically polarized workplace. Practical implications Practice implications include considerations for furthering moral entrepreneurship in organizations. Originality/value This study is the first to explore the applicability of the concept of moral entrepreneurship in public relations. The paper underscores the need for further discussion around novel approaches to ethics in public relations that go beyond simple compliance with professional codes and industry standards and that help organizations lead societal change.","PeriodicalId":10696,"journal":{"name":"Corporate Communications: An International Journal","volume":"98 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-09-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135011429","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}