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Strategic Communication : Reflections on an Elusive Concept

Nothhaft, Howard LU ; Werder, Kelly Page ; Verčič, Dejan and Zerfass, Ansgar (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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Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
; ; and
organization
publishing date
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}},
}