Financial Literacy Explicated: The Case for a Clearer Definition in an Increasingly Complex Economy

This study explicates the concept of financial literacy, which has blossomed in use this century. Scholars, policy officials, financial experts, and consumer advocates have used the phrase loosely to describe the knowledge, skills, confidence, and motivation necessary to effectively manage money. As a result, financial literacy has varying conceptual definitions in existing research as well as diverse operational definitions and values. This study dissects the differing financial literacy definitions and measures, urging researchers toward common ground. A clearer definition should improve future research, in turn helping consumers better understand and adapt to changing life events and an increasingly complex economy

Understanding and Addressing the Gaps: Generational Perspectives on Public Relations Leadership Development in the United States

This qualitative study is the first known effort to define the differing perceptions of public relations leadership at three distinct career points and explore the leadership development gaps and needs from these varied perspectives. Semistructured interviews with senior public relations practitioners, young professionals, and current students in the United States bring needed depth and clarity to prior scholarship on leadership development, a growing concern within the public relations industry around the world. Additionally, the findings pinpoint leadership development best practices for better infusing leadership development into undergraduate public relations education and into training and development programs for young professionals

Agency Experience: A Case Study of Leadership Development Within a High-Performing Public Relations Agency

This dissertation examines agency experience as a means of leadership development for public relations professionals. This qualitative study draws upon field research conducted within one of America's largest public relations agencies. Observations were made for three consecutive weeks inside the agency's headquarters. In addition, one-on-one interviews were conducted with 28 employees of the agency, ranging from assistant account executives to senior vice presidents. Findings reveal that agency professionals, particularly those in the first five years of their career, gain leadership competencies by handling a heavy, complex, and often diverse workload, and from working in a team-oriented, inclusive environment that expects self-motivation. As a whole, the agency setting provides an environment where emerging leaders feel safe speaking their minds. Formal leaders set the tone by coaching others, contributing to strategic development and project direction, and clarifying situations that inevitably develop during the course of implementation. Some of these findings are consistent with related studies in other industries regarding work experience and psychological safety; other findings seem unique to the public relations business. This case study sheds light on what agency experience means for leadership development in one agency. Insights provide baseline knowledge upon which further research can be conducted regarding other agencies and other types of organizations

Integrating Evidence-Based Practices into Public Relations Education

Public relations continue to play an essential and changing role in society, requiring the regular reassessment of the education of future public relations practitioners. Academics and practitioners often differ in how they view the public relations field, how they define the discipline, and how they view the major pedagogical approaches. This paper explores the impact of integrating three different perspectives in public relations education, including practitioner perspective, client perspective, and the evidence-based perspective. Results from students’ reaction papers and an online questionnaire suggest that integrating an evidence-based approach improves the competence and clarity of communications counsel provided by aspiring practitioners

The ART of Responsible Communication: Leading with Values Every Day

Business leaders control information, data, and feedback. How should that power be managed in this digital age and fast-paced, globalized economy? That important question is at the heart of The ART of Responsible Communication. This book serves as a how-to guide for executives and emerging business leaders across multiple industries and a full spectrum of functional disciplines. The ART of Responsible Communication examines multifaceted corporate communication as a responsibility shared by leaders across the enterprise. You simply cannot delegate all communication responsibility to the corporate communications department or a public relations agency. It is every leader’s responsibility to model and champion effective communication, requiring an ongoing commitment to Accessibility, Responsiveness and Transparency, or, in other words, The ART of Responsible Communication

Integrating evidence based practices into public relations education

Public relations continue to play an essential and changing role in society, requiring the regular reassessment of the education of future public relations practitioners. Academics and practitioners often differ in how they view the public relations field, how they define the discipline, and how they view the major pedagogical approaches. This paper explores the impact of integrating three different perspectives in public relations education, including practitioner perspective, client perspective, and the evidence-based perspective. Results from students’ reaction papers and an online questionnaire suggest that integrating an evidence-based approach improves the competence and clarity of communications counsel provided by aspiring practitioners