Strategic Communication : Reflections on an Elusive Concept
(2018) In International Journal of Strategic Communication 12(4). p.352-366- Abstract
The article explores how strategic communication successfully established itself as an academic discipline despite (or perhaps because of) being centered on an elusive concept. Drawing on ideas about the evolution of academic disciplines proposed by Alexander M. Shneider, we argue that strategic communication is currently caught in a cycle of constant reinvention obscured by a discourse of emergence. Although the discipline is undoubtedly becoming more sophisticated, it is doubtful whether there is genuine progress. The authors examine facets of strategic communication that contribute to the current state of affairs. Although clearer conceptualization and a more realistic understanding of the discipline are identified as a prerequisite... (More)
The article explores how strategic communication successfully established itself as an academic discipline despite (or perhaps because of) being centered on an elusive concept. Drawing on ideas about the evolution of academic disciplines proposed by Alexander M. Shneider, we argue that strategic communication is currently caught in a cycle of constant reinvention obscured by a discourse of emergence. Although the discipline is undoubtedly becoming more sophisticated, it is doubtful whether there is genuine progress. The authors examine facets of strategic communication that contribute to the current state of affairs. Although clearer conceptualization and a more realistic understanding of the discipline are identified as a prerequisite for maturation, progress—as opposed to sophistication—ultimately depends on the development of discipline-specific, unique, and robust methods.
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- author
- Nothhaft, Howard LU ; Werder, Kelly Page ; Verčič, Dejan and Zerfass, Ansgar
- organization
- publishing date
- 2018-08-08
- type
- Contribution to journal
- publication status
- published
- subject
- in
- International Journal of Strategic Communication
- volume
- 12
- issue
- 4
- pages
- 15 pages
- publisher
- Taylor & Francis
- external identifiers
-
- scopus:85051560541
- ISSN
- 1553-118X
- DOI
- 10.1080/1553118X.2018.1492412
- language
- English
- LU publication?
- yes
- id
- 6a5d51ff-0fc5-4d14-a215-a426a138fb2f
- date added to LUP
- 2018-09-10 12:45:00
- date last changed
- 2022-04-25 17:05:56
@article{6a5d51ff-0fc5-4d14-a215-a426a138fb2f, abstract = {{<p>The article explores how strategic communication successfully established itself as an academic discipline despite (or perhaps because of) being centered on an elusive concept. Drawing on ideas about the evolution of academic disciplines proposed by Alexander M. Shneider, we argue that strategic communication is currently caught in a cycle of constant reinvention obscured by a discourse of emergence. Although the discipline is undoubtedly becoming more sophisticated, it is doubtful whether there is genuine progress. The authors examine facets of strategic communication that contribute to the current state of affairs. Although clearer conceptualization and a more realistic understanding of the discipline are identified as a prerequisite for maturation, progress—as opposed to sophistication—ultimately depends on the development of discipline-specific, unique, and robust methods.</p>}}, author = {{Nothhaft, Howard and Werder, Kelly Page and Verčič, Dejan and Zerfass, Ansgar}}, issn = {{1553-118X}}, language = {{eng}}, month = {{08}}, number = {{4}}, pages = {{352--366}}, publisher = {{Taylor & Francis}}, series = {{International Journal of Strategic Communication}}, title = {{Strategic Communication : Reflections on an Elusive Concept}}, url = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/1553118X.2018.1492412}}, doi = {{10.1080/1553118X.2018.1492412}}, volume = {{12}}, year = {{2018}}, }