scholarly journals Corporate communications from the CEO’s perspective

2015 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
pp. 291-309 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ansgar Zerfass ◽  
Muschda Sherzada
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
Chief Executive ◽  
Strategic Communication ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Board Members ◽  
Corporate Communications ◽  
Communication Performance ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Top Executives ◽  
First Choice

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore the perceptions and expectations of chief executive officers (CEOs) and executive board members concerning: the relevance of public opinion and contribution of communication performance to organizational success, the communicative role of top executives and their interaction with professional communicators, the objectives and values of corporate communications, and the importance of various disciplines and instruments. Design/methodology/approach – A quantitative survey was conducted among top executives of listed and private companies operating in the largest European country, Germany (n=602). Findings – The study identifies a traditional mindset: top executives focus on primary stakeholders (customers, employees) instead of secondary stakeholders (politicians, activists), they value mass media higher than social media, and they rate speaking more important than listening. Moreover, communication professionals are not always the first choice when CEOs and board members reflect on the topics at hand. Advanced visions of strategic communication developed in academia and practice have not yet arrived in many boardrooms. Research limitations/implications – The sample is not representative for all CEOs in corporations and it is limited to one country. Originality/value – While the performance of corporate communications depends heavily on the perceptions, beliefs, and expectations that top executives hold towards communication and its contribution to organizational goal, little is known about this. Most knowledge is based on qualitative interviews and small-scale samples. This study provides an overview of previous insights and takes a broader empirical approach.

scholarly journals Doing the right things or doing things right?

2016 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
pp. 142-159 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jesper Falkheimer ◽  
Mats Heide ◽  
Charlotte Simonsson ◽  
Ansgar Zerfass ◽  
Piet Verhoeven
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
Interview Study ◽  
Corporate Communications ◽  
Convenience Sample ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Business Goals ◽  
Main Challenge ◽  
Qualitative Interview Study ◽  
Communication Goals ◽  
Paradox Theory

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine and analyze the prevailing form of rationality that governs the challenges, goals and roles of communication professionals. The authors will also explore alternative forms of rationality and discuss what these would imply. Design/methodology/approach – The paper is based on survey results from The European Communication Monitor (ECM) and qualitative interviews with communication managers in Sweden. First, the authors present the ECM data and the Swedish interview material, i.e. the authors depict the practitioners’ perceptions of what they understand as important work tasks and roles. The interviews focus on the actual practices of linking communication goals to business goals. Second, the results are challenged from a reflexive perspective, using theories from the paradox turn and questioning the “taken-for-granted thinking” in corporate communications. Findings – The ECM data show that the main challenge in practice is “linking business strategy and communication.” The Swedish respondents stand out when it comes to “building and maintaining trust” since this is considered to be almost as important. The qualitative interview study strengthens the results in the ECM. The interviewees seem to do their work according to the traditional management agenda – i.e. they break down overall business goals and translate these to measurable communication goals. The results are reflected upon using paradox theory. Two paradoxes are discussed: between managerialism and professionalism, and strategic generalists and operational specialists. Research limitations/implications – The study is based on survey data that have been collected through a convenience sample, and the interview study is a pilot study. Practical implications – The paper focuses conflicts between normative practitioner ideals and reality, and helps practitioners to reflect upon mainstream thinking. Originality/value – Based on the empirical findings in the ECM, the interviews and the theoretical framework, the authors conclude that if the idea of The Communicative Organization is to be fruitfully realized, it is necessary to depart from a multi-dimensional rationality and question ideas that are taken for granted. The use of paradox theory and concepts such as functional stupidity is rather original in corporate communication research. Additional research could further explore paradoxes in order to spark dialogue, which may undermine one-dimensional thinking and functional stupidity.

Contesting competence

2016 ◽  
Vol 34 (2) ◽  
pp. 188-202 ◽  
Author(s):  
Timothy Marjoribanks ◽  
Karen Farquharson
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Methodology ◽  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
Chief Executive ◽  
Technical Skills ◽  
Leadership And Management ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Australian Football League ◽  
Australian Football ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to contribute to the debate around conceptualising competence in sport organisations by analysing club leadership and management in the Australian Football League (AFL) at a time of professionalisation. The paper asks: what were considered appropriate activities for newly professionalised AFL clubs, and how was the role of the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) as a competent leader in delivering these activities conceptualised in the clubs? Design/methodology/approach – Semi-structured in-depth qualitative interviews were conducted with 38 senior club managers in the AFL. A thematic analysis was undertaken. Findings – The paper finds that perceptions of core activities of clubs expanded with professionalisation, and that the role of the CEO emerged as the outcome of internal organisational contests. CEO competence is not only a set of technical skills, but is social, relational and “essentially contested” (Good, 1998, p. 205). Research limitations/implications – The qualitative methodology adopted means findings cannot be generalised to other sporting leagues, however, because all clubs participated they do reflect conceptualisations in the AFL at the time. The findings are suggestive of issues that may be relevant to other sporting competitions. Practical implications – The paper provides evidence that CEOs in sporting organisations should not be appointed only on the basis of technical skills. Social and relational skills are critical to organisational success. Originality/value – This paper enriches understandings of AFL clubs and of CEOs as leaders in sport organisations, and contributes to theoretical debates around the organisational construction of competence.

Executives with customer experience: wish and reality – the mantra of customer orientation

2014 ◽  
Vol 30 (5) ◽  
pp. 1-3
Author(s):  
Christian Bachmann
Keyword(s):  
Customer Orientation ◽  
Customer Experience ◽  
Annual Reports ◽  
Board Members ◽  
Executive Board ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Alternative Scenario ◽  
Top Executives ◽  
Customer Group ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose – This paper aims to describe the gap between the “customer orientation” as generally pretended by corporate top executives, and the actual focus of their respective officer mandates. It also aims to outline an alternative scenario in which “each and every executive board member is directly responsible for a given customer group or sales area”. Design/methodology/approach – This study analyzes the mandates of all executive board members of the 100 corporations stock-listed in Germany and Switzerland at DAX, MDAX and SMI index (as per annual reports and corporate homepages, on May 17, 2013). This study assumes that if customer orientation is a corporate core principle, then all officers will spend significant time with direct customer interaction and will have explicit responsibility for customers, sales markets or regions. Findings – Only about half of the analyzed (approximately 700) chief officers are directly responsible for sales markets or key accounts. The remaining half, instead, is heading mainly “functional” divisions (e.g. technology, legal). The proposed alternative scenario is outlined with its major practical implications. Practical implications – This study assumes that responsibility for client satisfaction and commercial success is systematically spread across all executive board members. Then corporate strategies are, by default, customer-oriented. Top management’s first-hand qualified customer experience helps them sizing their functional strategies. Such optimized functional strategies support the company’s market success – far from being trapped by silo mentality, or from becoming a goal in itself. Originality/value – This study approximates the ambivalence of “customer orientation” in real business practice as opposed to wish, and shifts responsibility to all top executives for putting credible customer orientation into practice.

scholarly journals Corporate brand management in a charity context: the internal communications challenge

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tauheed Ahmad Ramjaun
Keyword(s):  
Brand Management ◽  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
Chief Executive ◽  
Senior Managers ◽  
Corporate Brand ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Exploratory Approach ◽  
Knowledge Agents ◽  
Internal Communications ◽  
Practical Recommendations

PurposeThe purpose of this paper was to investigate the practical issues and challenges faced when managing a corporate brand internally within a charity context from perspectives of both senior managers and grassroots volunteers.Design/methodology/approachAn interpretive exploratory approach was adopted, where emphasis was placed on giving voice to participants considered as knowledge agents. Data collection methods included a combination of interviews and participatory observation. In-depth qualitative interviews were carried out with seven volunteers (including five branch chairs and one trustee) and five senior managers (chief executive officer [CEO], head of fundraising, national and regional directors and head of information and helplines). Participatory observations included visits in five branches as well as participation in two volunteer-targeted events.FindingsFindings from this study revealed the complexities of managing a charity brand internally with several issues and challenges relating to internal communications. Also, three major themes emerged from insights gathered from both senior managers and volunteers, which are as follows: (1) internal brand clarity, (2) internal relational communications and (3) internal brand presence.Originality/valueThe key contribution of the paper lies in exploring the challenges of managing a corporate brand internally from both the perspectives of senior management and volunteers within a unique charity context. The study adds insights on the issues and tension faced by charities in managing their brands internally and provides a series of practical recommendations that might help charities in strengthening their brands from inside.

A perspective of making India robot ready: case study on Sakrobotix lab pvt. ltd.

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Siwalik Mishra ◽  
Sonali Bhattacharya
Keyword(s):  
Digital Media ◽  
Human Resource ◽  
Chief Executive ◽  
Analysis Data ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Employer Branding ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Start Up ◽  
Media Reports ◽  
Employee Experience

Purpose The purpose of this study is to identify and understand key strategies relating to the staffing, employee experience and employer branding of an inventive startup in robotics training and consumer robotics manufacturing space, keeping in mind the constraints and challenges faced by the company right from the beginning to date. Design/methodology/approach A case-based method approach has been used. The Founder-Chief executive officer was interviewed multiple times. Interviews were transcribed for further analysis. Data was also sourced from the company website, news and digital media reports. Findings Human resource strategies used by the company in venturing out in this niche market were explored and linked to the concepts of staffing, employee experience and employer branding. This case can be used for teaching the human resource challenges of a growing start-up. Practical implications With the help of this case, readers may be able to appreciate the practice of critical concepts of staffing and employee experience in a growing startup. Originality/value The premise of a budding start-up in a niche industry, such as robotics training in educational institutions and manufacturing of small-scale consumer robotics, adds to the novelty of the case.

Corporate governance and the quality of CSR disclosure: lessons from an emerging economy

2022 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Husam Ananzeh
Keyword(s):  
Corporate Governance ◽  
Stock Exchange ◽  
Gender Diversity ◽  
Negative Relationship ◽  
Chief Executive ◽  
Board Members ◽  
Board Diversity ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Female Directors

Purpose This paper is motivated by the absence of rules that govern the practice of corporate social responsibility disclosure (CSRD). The purpose of this paper is to investigate the corporate governance factors that impact the quality of CSRD. This study further examines the moderating role of family ownership and educational qualifications of female directors on the relation between board gender diversity and CSRD quality. Design/methodology/approach This study adopts a sample of 94 non-financial companies listed on the Amman Stock Exchange to collect data on CSRD based on a checklist of 41 items for seven years from 2010–2016. The quality of CSRD is measured using a four-dimensional method that encompasses relative quantity, disclosure intensity, degree of accuracy and management outlook. Findings This study finds that CSRD quality is far from satisfactory in Jordan. The results also suggest that board size, auditor type, company size and profitability are positively associated with CSRD quality. On the other hand, factors such as chief executive officer duality, board diversity, ownership concentration and financial leverage are negatively associated with CSRD quality. In addition, the results of the empirical analysis suggest that the negative relationship between the quality of CSRD and the presence of female board members is stronger for family-owned companies. By contrast, the negative relationship between the quality of CSRD and the presence of female board members is weakened when the company has more educated, skilled and qualified female directors. Originality/value The originality of this study is manifested in the development of a quantitative measurement of CSRD quality.

scholarly journals Managing CEO communication and positioning

2016 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 37-55 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ansgar Zerfass ◽  
Dejan Verčič ◽  
Markus Wiesenberg
Keyword(s):  
Chief Executive Officers ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Power Distance ◽  
Chief Executive ◽  
Corporate Communication ◽  
Communication Strategy ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Top Executives ◽  
Executive Officers

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine the practices of positioning Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) and other top executives in the public sphere and approaches to manage their communication activities. Design/methodology/approach – A neo-institutional framework is used to explain the growth of CEO positioning in mediatisated societies. Research questions are derived from previous research and tested in a quantitative online survey with 512 heads of corporate communication in 21 countries across Europe and a qualitative survey with 42 communication leaders in 12 countries. Findings – The majority of companies position their CEOs and/or other top executives, but only a minority guide these activities through a sound management process. European CEOs are primarily presented based on their functional and ethical competencies. A minority of communication leaders prefer the uniform positioning of their CEOs in different markets; others argue for localised approaches. More companies in high-power distance countries have a specific communication strategy for their CEOs, compared to companies in low-power distance countries. Significant differences were also identified between listed and privately owned companies. Research limitations/implications – The study indicates the importance of CEO positioning from the perspective of corporate communication leaders. Investigating the expectations and experiences of CEOs themselves might provide additional insights. Originality/value – The paper presents the first large-scale study on CEO positioning, informs practitioners on the state of practice in Europe and identifies knowledge that can be integrated into education of business and communications students alike.

Using, spending, wasting and killing time in airports

2017 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 392-405 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bodil Stilling Blichfeldt ◽  
Aurimas Pumputis ◽  
Kiya Ebba
Keyword(s):  
Waiting Time ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Focus Group Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Group Interviews ◽  
Pass Through ◽  
Airport Terminals ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose Travelers are both surrounded by and perform places, thus making places ambiguous sites that “come alive” when travelers use them and engage in various performances. A place many travelers pass through is the airport. Airports are places where travelers’ performances are restricted in many ways and waiting is a key element of the airport experience. This paper contributes with knowledge on what airport terminals “are”, not as designs or material objects but as places enacted by travelers. In doing so, the paper aims to emphasize on both how travelers “see” airports and how they use them. Design/methodology/approach The study uses different qualitative methods and notions of time and waiting. Sources of data are small-scale netnography, focus group interviews, observations done at airports and qualitative interviews. Findings The study shows that airport terminals are heterogeneously enacted environments that are heavily inscribed with the mundane act of waiting and travelers use a series of different strategies to “use”, “spend” and “kill” time. Furthermore, whereas more affluent travelers spend waiting time using airports’ commercial offerings (shopping, restaurants, bars, etc.), less affluent travelers do not have the same options. Research limitations/implications The research points to airport terminals as not only “places of movement and mobility” but also “places of waiting” inscribed with boredom and travelers actively fight boredom by spending, using and killing time in a variety of ways. Furthermore, the study points to significant differences between affluent travelers and other travelers and differences between people travelling alone and in groups. Therefore, a call is made for research focusing on less affluent travelers, people traveling in groups and on waiting and waiting time. Practical implications The study suggests that airports are more than consumerscapes and places of movement, hereby questioning the current focus on commercial revenues. Social implications The study points to airport space as space “inhabited” not only by travelers willingly taking on the roles as consumers but also by travelers that kill, spend and use waiting time in other ways, hereby questioning the idea that airports are places for the “elite”. Originality/value Travelers associate airports with boredom and inscribe them with waiting. However, travelers “fight” boredom and waiting with performances and acts designed to use, spend, pass and “kill” time. Hereby, travelers not only accept but also construct the seemingly mundane act of waiting as restricted, negotiated and confined, but nevertheless meaningful performances.

The influence of overseas study and work experience on corporate environmental disclosures: evidence from Vietnam

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hang Ngoc My Le ◽  
Brendan Thomas O’Connell ◽  
Maryam Safari
Keyword(s):  
Data Collection ◽  
Work Experience ◽  
Chief Executive ◽  
Positive Influence ◽  
Mandatory Reporting ◽  
Board Members ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Overseas Study ◽  
Upper Echelons Theory ◽  
Environmental Disclosures

Purpose Drawing from Upper-Echelons Theory (UET), this paper aims to examine whether an increasing number of board members studying and working overseas, especially in Anglo countries, provides some impetus for increased corporate environmental disclosures (CED) in Vietnam. Design/methodology/approach This study used quantitative data collection and analysis. The data collection involved a content analysis of annual, sustainability and integrated reports to capture the quality and quantity of CED. The authors subsequently developed ordered probit models to quantitatively test the hypotheses. Findings The authors find that board members studying in Anglo countries positively impact firms’ levels of CED in emerging economies. However, overseas work experience is found to be an insignificant explanatory variable. Further, the findings suggest that, in Vietnam, Chairs appear to be more influential than chief executive officers in affecting CED levels. Practical implications Despite the positive influence of overseas study, the authors find overall levels of CED in Vietnam remain relatively low. This suggests the necessity of dialogue about potential reform in CED policies, which could involve the introduction of mandatory reporting requirements. In addition, to enhance sustainability disclosures, shareholders should appoint board members who possess international qualifications. Originality/value This study adds to the literature exploring the impacts of Anglo cultural traits of board members on CED levels, within an economy transitioning from a communist ideology to a market-oriented system context. The connection between international study and cultural norms, beliefs and traditions in these countries and their positive influence on directors’ values and attitudes towards CED have not yet been studied. The study also extends UET by examining the potential positive influence of different national contexts on board members’ education levels.

scholarly journals Professional artefacts: evaluating creative outcomes for work-based inquiry

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 127-139
Author(s):  
Paula McIver Nottingham
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Work Related ◽  
Part Time ◽  
Practice Knowledge ◽  
The University ◽  
Personal Philosophy ◽  
Professional Contexts ◽  
Practical Implications

PurposeThis paper aims to explore graduate perspectives about the creation and use of professional artefacts to communicate work-based inquiry projects to professional audiences.Design/methodology/approachThe study was based on constructivist qualitative interviews with 14 graduates from a part-time professional practice in arts programme and used thematic analysis to interpret and discuss the findings.FindingsParticipants indicated a perceived value in the use of the professional artefact as a way of articulating their professional inquiry. Professional artefacts enable essential communication skills for professional contexts, have the capacity for engaging with professional audiences that are external to the university, have the potential for enabling further study and workplace employability, show awareness of project management and leadership capabilities and helped some individuals build on and share their own personal philosophy of practice with peer professionals.Research limitations/implicationsAs a small-scale research project that used purposive sampling, the findings are not representative, but could provide the creative means to develop professional artefacts within work-related educational programmes and workplace learning programmes.Practical implicationsIt is argued that the process and production of professional artefacts can provide the means for communicating work-based projects to professional audiences within workplace settings.Originality/valueProfessional artefacts explore and present developmental aspects of work-based inquiries with distinctive creative approaches to favour practice knowledge and innovation that can be expressively shared with peer professionals.

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