Engaging Approaches
Gatekeeping within a Networked Public Sphere: Theoretical Implications considering the case of 2015's refugees crisis in Germany: The Case of Refugees and NGOs in Germany
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session Mafalda Sandrini
Since the advent of the digital revolution, the impact of the Internet on the public sphere and democracy has been largely debated by scholars coming from different disciplines; some have emphasised the democratic potentials of new media to foster minority groups’ participation and representation within the public debate, and others have articulated the possibilities of increased polarization due to the structure of the Internet itself. Control over information has always been a source of power and the role of media was traditionally one of institutions’ checkers and disseminators of facts and knowledge in order to inform citizens and concur in public opinion formation. How did this process changed within a hybrid media system? Which new gatekeepers emerge due to digital media? How is democracy affected? This contribution inquires the theoretical implications of gatekeeping within a networked public sphere by adopting 2015’s refugees crisis in Germany as case of analysis. Within a context of communicative capitalism, phenomena like filter bubbles and echo chambers emerged, impacting the way citizens consume information; gatekeeping takes now the form of information exposure, creating a fragmented networked public sphere, whose social and political consequences should not be left out. Literature review will be presented and conceptual conclusions will be drawn on the basis of the case under examination, considering the implications for democratic practices online.
Marketing Social Change: Best Practices for Nonprofit Website Strategy
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session Ted Gournelos, Hannah Jureller
While websites are often considered to be information repositories, they are instead primary storytelling outlets that serve as a hub for many other communication tactics. Moreover, despite the fact that website quality in its various forms can establish trust, interest, empathy, and engagement for a variety of stakeholders, many nonprofits do not know how to distinguish between a "good" and a "bad" website, often relying on external firms or amateur producers rather than treating the channel as a strategic outlet. This paper establishes and discusses best practices for nonprofit communication through websites, drawing from a qualitative content analysis of twenty-nine nonprofit organizations that focus on the fight against hunger. We suggest specific and actionable practices for nonprofits to analyze their existing website and create a strong web presence, drawing from examples in the field.
Getting the Green Light: Community Engagement for Renewable Energy and Low-carbon Emission Technologies in Australia
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session Andrea Cassin
Around the world, the climate change debate and environmental disasters have increased government and industry emphasis on renewable energies and low carbon emission technologies. Community engagement for the development and implementation of such projects is gaining importance after community backlashes have caused delays and cancellations. How to engage and who to engage with, however, remains unclear as both the term ‘community’ and ‘community engagement’ continue to be rather unspecific and fluid concepts in academic literature. Especially public relations literature gives community engagement little attention although practitioners are often called onto manage engagement projects for organizations. Through the use of qualitative in-depth interviews with experienced Australian community engagement practitioners, this study explored how community engagement has been practiced and which communication processes were reported to be more or less effective. Research findings suggest that face-to-face communication is the most important communication form and that building positive relationships with the local community plays an integral role. Although some organizations allow communities to influence the decision-making process, the results indicate that most organizations engage with ‘strategic intent’ and attempt to control engagement processes rather than genuinely listen to community concerns. These findings challenge current academic concepts and offer new directions for future public relations research and engagement practices.
Integration or Separation?: An Exploratory Study of the Measures to Regulate the Smartphone Presence in Companies
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session Cassandra Tyana Zinn, Ute Rademacher
Today's change in the workplace is strongly influenced by digital information and communication technologies. In addition to the advantages of flexibility, current studies show that occupational smartphone use is often at the expense of mental well-being and recovery. For some years, companies have therefore been practicing various preventive approaches to protect their employees from any negative effects. However, so far, no measure has been sufficiently tested, and little is known about the underlying mechanisms, causes and strategies in dealing with the smartphone. Based on 12 interviews, this qualitative study describes the advantages and disadvantages of occupational smartphone use from the employee's point of view. These are on the one hand the opportunities of flexible work design and an increased social bond with colleagues, but on the other hand, the negative effects on the work-life balance, increased stress levels and the risk of smartphone addiction. Employees differ in their preference for technical integration or separation and their strategies for using the smartphone. Smartphone use and availability are described by the employees as psychologically demanding, especially when their own principles and the personal need for autonomy and freedom of discretion are not taken into account because internal or external circumstances prevent this. For the first time, empirical findings on possible strategies for action and implementation are provided to improve the professional use of smartphones from an employee perspective. Further studies might consider a differentiated view of the risks and implications of availability expectations, blurring boundaries between work and private life and interruptions.
