Journal Review II by Meryana Deasy Karina Sudarsono (135120207121004)

Journal Review

"An Open-System Approach to 

Building Theory in Public Relations"

 Glen M. Broom

School of Communication

San Diego State University

            This journal is about "An Open-System Approach to Building Theory in Public Relations". Here also explained about theory construction. Theory construction is important to building theory in public relations. This theory related to scientific methods and openness to conceptual and methodological input from the larger fields of communiction and human behavior (Broom, 2006). This journal explain that theory construction is a scientific process. In our environment, scientific or non-scientific can build theory in public relations. Here explained about open-system approach. This approach is related to public relations' activity in daily life. We can get this approach when we do the activity, like in the organization. 

            According to this journal, the author is choosing the focal concept for the research. Broom (2006) argues that the theory-building process begins most effectively when the researcher selects a concept derived from the practice and viewed by practitioners as important. Here, the author choose the focal concept for building theory in public relations. Then the author explicating the concept and building theory in the open-system model.

Explicating the concept means the relationship management perspective holds that public relations balances the interests of organizations and publics through the management of organization–public relationships (Ledingham, 2003). Within that perspective, public relations is seen as “the management function that establishes and maintains mutually beneficial relationships between an organization and the publics on whom its success or failure depends” (Cutlip, Center, & Broom, 1994, p. 2).

Then the last, after do the concepts, the next step is building theory in the open-system model. Open-system can get when we d the activity, like in the organization. With this model, the researcher can see the environment surround them. If the environment appropriate with the condition, so the activity can do well and fluently. that is why we should study more about public relations' theories, like open-system approach in this journal.

The conclusion, in public relations, we need some theory to apply the job and to increase the activity of public relations. I think open-system approach is a part of building the theory in public relations, because with this approach we can see the environment surround us and make good image in public relations. We should study more about theories and approaches of public relations, because with more knowledge that we have, we can develop and increase our ability in public realtions. The advantages after we read the journal, we can get more knowledge about open-system approach in public relations. But, I’m still confused with the language that the author’s used, then I do not understand about the concept that the author’s explained. But, overall, I can get some knowledge after I read this journal.

References:

Broom, G.M. (2006). An Open-System Approach to Building Theory in Public Relation. Journal of Public Relations Research, 18 (2), 141-150

Cutlip, S.M., Center,A.H., & Broom, G.M. (1994). Effective Public Relations 6^th ed. New Jersey: Prentice Hall

Ledingham, J.A. (2003). Explicating Relationship Management as a General Theory of Public Relations. Journal of Public Relations Reasearch, 15 (2), 181-198