Item Details

abstract

Reputation is a concept based on perceptions--perception itself being a term reliant on subjectivity. What is more intriguing is that many companies have found it difficult to admit that "intangible assets" such as reputation may have value (Fombrun, 1996). However, such intangible assets "create economic value because they reinforce a company's competitive position" (Fombrun, 6). Because of this insight, businesses are beginning to understand the value in having "a good name." Rankings, such as those of Fortune magazine, are becoming increasingly important, and strategies have been employed to improve reputation standings in order to garner a higher rank. A common technique businesses use to relay company news is through online press releases. The following research analyzes language use within online press releases of Fortune's 2010 Most and Least Admired Companies in the Airline, Entertainment and Food Services industries to determine whether these companies communicate their successes and failures differently.

subject

communication

dramatism

marketing

press release

public relations

reputation

contributor

Hodges, Tiara (author)

Llewellyn, John (committee chair)

Dickson, Sandra (committee member)

Bridges, Sheri (committee member)

date

2011-09-08T08:35:52Z (accessioned)

2011 (issued)

degree

Communication (discipline)

10000-01-01 (liftdate)

embargo

10000-01-01 (terms)

identifier

http://hdl.handle.net/10339/36149 (uri)

language

en (iso)

publisher

Wake Forest University

title

Building Corporate Reputation: A Rhetorical Analysis of Press Releases from Fortune's 2010 Most and Least Admired Companies

type

Thesis