Organizational and Societal Functions of Public Relations

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Interesting questions! Let's take a closer look through discussion and example.

RESPONSE:

1. Please explain in detail the why employee relations and investor relations are examples of organizational functions of public relations as well as why media relations and community relations are functions of societal public relations.

Interestingly, not all authors categorize the different types of public relations the same. For example, some authors classify media relations as an example of organizational functions, instead of societal as this question does. So, this response assumes that media relations is classified as a function of societal public relations.

Employee relations and investor relations are examples of organizational functions mainly because they are both internally focused functions (e.g. employees work for the organization and the investors are part owners of the organizations); thus referred to as organizational functions. Conversely, media relations and community relations are externally focused functions and therefore called societal public relations (PR). That is, the employees and investors are considered part of the organization (so the related PR is considered organizational functions; whereas the media and community are part of society (societal public relations), which influence the organization, but are external to the organization.

2. What are the similarities and differences between the chosen societal and organizational functions?

It is true that an organization's image, profitability and reputation often depend on the measure that the public supports its organizational missions, strategies, and goals. Public relations professionals serve as communicator between organization and its public. Public relations also provide ...