Journal of Public Relations Research

Lee, Yeunjae; Dong, Enzhu; Sun, Ruoyu

2024 Journal of Public Relations Research

doi: 10.1080/1062726X.2024.2357334

Using the situational theory of problem solving (STOPS) as a theoretical framework, this study examines how internal communication regarding environmental initiatives can promote pro-environmental behaviors (PEBs) of employees at work, thereby helping achieve corporations’ sustainability goals. Results of an online survey of 443 employees in the U.S. suggested that internal communication helps to increase employees’ problem and involvement recognition of their employer’s sustainability initiatives, while decreasing their constraint recognition. When employees are situationally motivated by their organizations’ communication efforts, they actively engage in communicative behaviors and PEBs at work. Theoretical and practical implications for internal public relations are discussed.

Chen, Feifei; Wu, Qiwei Luna

2024 Journal of Public Relations Research

doi: 10.1080/1062726X.2024.2357333

This study examines how organizational leaders’ mediated crisis communication may fulfill their ethical duty of safeguarding employees from psychological harms inflicted by a crisis. Drawing upon the internal communication literature, Media Richness Theory, and crisis communication research, we proposed a model to explore how organizational leaders’ frequencies of using twelve mediated communication channels may influence employees’ perceived leadership communication of ethical base responses and stress as a crucial marker of psychological well-being. Through a survey of 361 US employees experiencing remote work arrangements during the COVID-19 crisis, we uncovered intricate connections among these variables. Specifically, leaders’ frequencies of using rich and moderate channels for ethical base response communication were significantly and positively linked to employees’ perceived leadership communication of ethical base responses and subsequently, indirectly associated with lower levels of employee stress. However, the frequency of using lean channels did not show such effects. Instead, the frequencies of using lean, as well as rich channels, were directly associated with increased employee stress.