Scholar Profiles
Lisa
Gill
2006 - 2007 University Scholar
Mentor: Mary Ann Ferguson
College of Journalism and Communications
"Corporate communications and global perceptions of organizations are growing exponentially in terms of importance worldwide. Corporate social responsibility is one area of public relations that I feel is particularly important. I hope to establish some connections between the top 100 socially responsible corporations, their public relations departments, their executives and their actions worldwide."
Lisa has a lot on her plate. She is working on her public relations and Spanish double major with a business administration minor. She also is the student team leader for a survey research project for the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association. Each fall, she teaches English to migrant farm workers and Spanish to their employers with the HABLA group. She also works part-time at The Body Shop, but she still earns the grades to land her on the Dean’s List every semester. Lisa hopes to explore avenues in global communications when she graduates by combining corporate PR with Spanish.
Research Description:
Socially Responsible Corporations
Heretofore, professionals have questioned the role of ethics in business, and scholars have argued over whether corporate social responsibility may be considered equivalent to business ethics. However, many experts have failed to note the important role of public relations in social responsibility and its relationship to ethics.
Having changed significantly since the beginning of American industry, social responsibility in public relations has evolved into an influential force in determining potential consumer and investor behavior. Despite this significant influence, many companies tend to overlook the importance of public relations in establishing this vital responsibility to their publics.
The research we are pursuing further examines the factors possibly influencing the types of companies’ social responsibility programs. More specifically, we are evaluating the role of a corporate CEO’s goals in comparison to the organizations’ overall values and goals as well as to its social responsibility policies and programs, especially those that go beyond the legal requirements. Also, we are questioning the relationship, if any such relationship exists, between the number of public relations professionals employed at an organization with its social responsibility policies and programs. Finally, we are asking whether corporate public relations has a more significant effect on creating programs related to the general social welfare than programs related to traditional stakeholders, such as employees and consumers. A content analysis of the Web sites of top 100 “best corporate citizens,” as judged by Business Ethics magazine, serves as the basis for our judgments.
Overall, this research will help to ascertain or deny the role public relations professionals in the corporate environment may play in maintaining high levels of corporate social responsibility. This information may set the standard for the top socially responsible corporations in the near future, especially as today’s consumers and investors seem to be prioritizing social responsibility when making decisions.
Back to Profiles
Back to the Journal of Undergraduate Research
