Answer to Question #236051 in Psychology for Emmanuel Egbuagha

Question

Explain why it is important for an organisation to have a public relations department. Include references.

Answer 1

The public relations department in an organization is quite crucial in building the image and the brand of the organization. It is the one responsible for supervising and assessing public attitudes and maintaining mutual relations and understanding between an organization and its public. It improves channels of communication and institutes new ways of setting up a two-way flow of information and understanding. It serves key functions in an organization that is very pivotal in ensuring sustainability and recognition of the firm in the public domain. Firstly, it helps manage the company's reputation. A company will sometimes confront bad image from advertising wrongly understood by the public, unsatisfied customers hitting out on social media about how bad your product is. It is the role of the public relations department to repair that bad image through social media connections and press releases.

Secondly, it promotes the brand's values by building trust in the product in existence and also when being launched to hit the ground while running. This helps in boosting sales and increase credibility by improving an organization’s reputation through thought leadership pieces, influencer connections, and networking strategies. Thirdly, it strengthens community relations by building ties with the local market by joining groups, donating time to a charity or any causes related to your business. Being an active member of a community establishes your reliability. Fourthly, the public relations department uses public relations to create opportunities through influencers by having the chance to speak with your customer about your competitors and see what they are doing more broadly than only your business. Fifthly, It enhances online presence where everyone is digitally connected.

References

Gilaninia, S., Taleghani, M., & Mohammadi, M. E. (2013). The role of public relations in an organization. Arabian Journal of Business and Management Review (Nigerian Chapter) Vol, 1(10).

Wiencierz, C., & Röttger, U. (2021). The change process to agile public relations. Public Relations Review, 47(5), 102108.