Article: Current issues about public relations professionals: challenges and potentials of PR in UAE organisations Journal: Middle East Journal of Management (MEJM) 2015 Vol.2 No.4 pp.330 - 351 Abstract: Companies in the UAE lack adequate public relations (PR) strategies and practices, causing them to suffer from both financial and reputational declines. UAE companies are starting to realise the necessity of effective PR, and many are beginning to invest resources in this domain. This study investigates the cause of missing links regarding PR strategies and misunderstanding of PR people jobs in the UAE companies and the significance of implementing PR strategies in UAE organisations. 100 qualitative questionnaires were distributed among PR practitioners and both primary and secondary data were used to maximise conclusive results. Results highlight the role and responsibilities of PR practitioners in the UAE and worldwide in comparison to those in the UAE, especially regarding public opinions of the functions of public relations measured by the questionnaire and their opinions. PR practitioners believe that the underlying and crucial foundation for effective PR is strong communication and ethical transparency. Through communication management and the division of responsibilities and duties among PR practitioners, this ultimately helps the organisation to create healthy relationships both within and outside the organisation. Inderscience Publishers - linking academia, business and industry through research

Title: Current issues about public relations professionals: challenges and potentials of PR in UAE organisations

Authors: Badreya Al-Jenaibi

Addresses: Mass Communication Department, College of Humanities and Social Science, United Arab Emirates University (UAEU), UAE

Abstract: Companies in the UAE lack adequate public relations (PR) strategies and practices, causing them to suffer from both financial and reputational declines. UAE companies are starting to realise the necessity of effective PR, and many are beginning to invest resources in this domain. This study investigates the cause of missing links regarding PR strategies and misunderstanding of PR people jobs in the UAE companies and the significance of implementing PR strategies in UAE organisations. 100 qualitative questionnaires were distributed among PR practitioners and both primary and secondary data were used to maximise conclusive results. Results highlight the role and responsibilities of PR practitioners in the UAE and worldwide in comparison to those in the UAE, especially regarding public opinions of the functions of public relations measured by the questionnaire and their opinions. PR practitioners believe that the underlying and crucial foundation for effective PR is strong communication and ethical transparency. Through communication management and the division of responsibilities and duties among PR practitioners, this ultimately helps the organisation to create healthy relationships both within and outside the organisation.

Keywords: public relations; United Arab Emirates; UAE; work challenges; satisfaction; PR potential; issues; needs; qualifications; PR strategies; communications; ethical transparency; ethics; communication management; division of responsibilities.

DOI: 10.1504/MEJM.2015.073568

Middle East Journal of Management, 2015 Vol.2 No.4, pp.330 - 351

Received: 01 Aug 2015
Accepted: 08 Aug 2015
Published online: 12 Dec 2015 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article

Title: Current issues about public relations professionals: challenges and potentials of PR in UAE organisations

Keep up-to-date