| ID | 163270 |
| Title Proper | International organizations “Going Public”? an event history analysis of public communication reforms 1950–2015 |
| Language | ENG |
| Author | Ecker-Ehrhardt, Matthias |
| Summary / Abstract (Note) | The last few decades have seen a dramatic increase in the public communication efforts of international organizations (IOs). They target an expanding audience, including journalists, experts, activists, and citizens. Their communication departments have grown to more effectively produce and disseminate messages, evaluate their impact, and develop long-term communication strategies. I examine this trend for forty-eight IOs between 1950 and 2015. Based on an event history analysis of structural reforms, I argue that two causal mechanisms most consistently explain why IOs go public: First, normative change toward greater institutional transparency encourages the democratic membership of IOs to push for reforms in order to improve the provision of public information on IO decisions and policy programs. Second, public protest and scandals substantially increase organizational demands for self-legitimation. As a result, IOs reformed communication in order to more effectively generate public support. However, I find limited evidence that IO mandates to promote social change—by teaching norms and knowledge—can account for observed reforms to their communication structures. |
| `In' analytical Note | International Studies Quarterly Vol. 62, 4, Dec-2018; p 723–736 |
| Journal Source | International Studies Quarterly Vol: 62 No 4 |
| Key Words | International Organizations ; Public Communication ; Communication Strategies |