Research Handbook on Public Communication

Edited by Jonathan Matusitz, Professor, Nicholson School of Communication and Media, University of Central Florida, USA

• ContentsIntroduction to Research Handbook on Public Communication 1Jonathan MatusitzPART I  THEORETICAL FOUNDATIONS OF PUBLIC COMMUNICATION1 The importance of theories in public communication 12Jonathan Matusitz2 The receiver as an active perceiver: a new (inter)medial ecologicalapproach 27Eleni G. Timplalexi3 The transactional model of communication: a framework for exchangingpublic health messages 43James O. Olufowote4 Image repair theory for improving corporate reputation 55William L. Benoit5 The environmental domain–category–outcome framework for proenvironmental campaigns 67Lindsay B. Miller and Ronald E. Rice6 Uses and gratifications theory in contemporary public communication: aframework and case applications 84Julio-César Mateus, Laura Leon, Diego Vásquez-Cubas and LizardoVargas-BianchiPART II  RESEARCH METHODS IN PUBLIC COMMUNICATION7 In-depth qualitative research for communication practitioners 97Jonathan Matusitz8 Quantitative research methods to assess public communication initiatives 114Gerdien de Vries9 Innovative models and approaches for optimal public communication 130Jim Macnamara10 A classification of research methods to analyze the evolution of globalcommunication practices 150David O. Oyekunle, Florence Olojede, Olutola Osadugba, Victor A.Adekunle and Ugochukwu O. Matthew11 New approaches to examine attitude change and social influence 169Thomas I. Vaughan-Johnston and Benedict Holden12 Navigating the disinformation ecosystem: concepts, actors, methods, andchallenges 185Serena Giusti and Elisa PirasPART III  CRISIS COMMUNICATION AND ISSUES IN EMERGENCYMANAGEMENT13 Crisis communication: an updated examination 202Ryan P. Fuller, Robert R. Ulmer and Andrew S. Pyle14 More than debunking misinformation: a holistic communication model forpublic authorities. The case of electromagnetic fields and 5G in Germany 218Kerstin Dressel, Larissa Drescher, Katja Aue, Tobias Eder, GeorgGroh and Jutta Roosen15 Strategic communication in emergency management 237Jonathan Matusitz16 Enhancing public communication messages in the digital era: lessons fromthe COVID-19 pandemic 252Bobi Ivanov, Kimberly A. Parker and Amanda Slone17 Leveraging digital twin technology for emergency management anddisaster communication 268Arthur Huang and Jonathan Matusitz18 Proactive conflict management: role of leadership and HRM practices intimes of a significant crisis 282Ashish Malik, Paresh Wankhade and Swetketu Patnaik19 Ethical dilemmas of government censorship during a global crisis 296William J. Brown and Mary E. MyersPART IV  NEW TRENDS IN SOCIAL MEDIA AND DIGITALCOMMUNICATION RESEARCH20 The role of new media technologies in citizen participation 311Sissel Hovik and Sveinung Legard21 Digital communication and media linguistics 327Marina Bondi and Matteo Di Cristofaro22 A classification of social media influence 343Aubree A. Herman, Mackenzie K. Mickavicz and Narissra M.Punyanunt-Carter23 Decolonizing digital access in sub-Saharan Africa: from digital saviorcomplex to digital solidarity 360Doris Wesley24 Cross-cultural digital communication in the Global South: introducing thepostcolonial participatory digital communication (PPDC) framework 376Jonathan Matusitz25 Understanding jihadist public communication strategies in the recruitmentand radicalization of children: ISIS as a case study 392Flora KhooPART V  PUBLIC COMMUNICATION IN THE FUTURE: ETHICALCONSIDERATIONS26 Overcoming public communication problems in the 21st century: strategiesbetween control and trust 414María S. Segura27 Trolls and coarseness in communication: any hope for the future? 428Eric M. Kramer28 In defense of humanism against robocolonialism: a postcolonial approachto future communication with autonomous humanoid robots 447Do Kyun D. Kim and Sejin Kim29 Privacy concerns in digital public communication 462Asma Sifaoui, Laura F. Bright and Matthew S. Eastin30 Artificial intelligence in public relations: a review and research agenda 478Anne Gregory, Alexander Buhmann and Vilma Luoma-aho31 Virtual reality in diplomatic relations: opportunities and challenges forpractitioners 492Najwa AlSaeed

‘This Research Handbook offers an accessible and comprehensive overview of the theories, methods, practices and complex contexts for public communication. The book is a must-have resource for researchers and practitioners and will represent a staple reference text for the foreseeable future.’