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The purpose of this paper is to examine the importance of channel partners’ government relations within channel performance and explore how institutional factors interact to influence channel performance. A theoretical framework, inclusive of hypotheses, is proposed to demonstrate the interaction of government relations and institutional environments on firm performance. Drawing on an institutional perspective, this paper suggests that the effect of partner’s government relations on firm performance is moderated by institutional environment factors, such as government interference, legal protection, and the importance of guanxi.

This study conducted a questionnaire survey and collected data from 393 Chinese manufacturer managers in China.

Partner’s government relations increase focal firm’s performance and this effect is moderated by different levels of legal protection. Partner’s government relations increase firm performance only in the context of high-legal protection; whereas, when legal protection is low, partner’s government relations decrease focal firm performance. As for the interaction of institutional factors, legal protection and importance of guanxi, all three moderate the negative effect of government interference on firm performance.

This paper provides insights on how channel partner’s government relations, representing a key institutional capital, interact with institutional environment factors to influence channel performance.

The purpose of this paper is to identify factors of change in business relationships among companies operating in agribusiness input distribution channel.

This study, based on a qualitative approach applying network perspective, is focused on agri-markets for plant protection products. Primary data were collected via individual in-depth interviews with among managers of trade companies operating on agri-inputs products market.

Although relation between input producers and trade companies on agri-inputs market is affected by a large number of factors, representatives of trade companies seem to be focused on a limited number of them. In particular two factors need to be underlined as main ones: contract conditions and structural changes on the markets which manifest themselves mainly by consolidation of market entities. The function differentiation of the trade companies results not only in generated sales but also in a larger intensity of interactions with other market operators and in the necessity of creating new relationships. In the long term, it may generate the intensification of competitive structures that occur at the same level in a distribution channel.

Generalization based on qualitative approach employed in this paper requires further testing and quantitative validation.

Even though agri-markets appear to be well-suited for studying network systems, such an approach has hardly ever been used. Interactions between different kinds of entities on agri-markets are incredibly strong and complex. The paper contributes to the two fields. First, it provides results related to the business relationship dynamics, especially factors that trigger relation change. Second, paper contributes to the agribusiness markets theory, especially from the structural point of view.

Listening to and conversing with stakeholders has become a basic requirement for the survival of any organization in a society with insistent demands for transparency and dialogue. The purpose of this paper is to examine how Latin American practitioners are using social media for corporate and networking purposes, and their perceptions about which social media activity is more relevant for organizational stakeholders.

A population of 803 public relations professionals from 18 Latin American countries working on different hierarchical levels, both in communication departments and agencies across the region, were surveyed as part of a larger online survey. For this research, five questions about social media usage have been included in the first edition of the Latin American Communication Monitor (LCM) project.

The study shows that despite the massive incorporation of social media into communication strategies of organizations, Latin American professionals report less intensive use of these collaborative channels than do peers in the Asia-Pacific, but they are in line with colleagues from Europe. Practitioners report a cautious optimism on the success achieved in the social media arena, as well as an insignificant use of these tools for professional networking purposes.

This paper touches only four sections of the LCM 2014/2015. Participant fatigue may have negatively impacted the quality of the data. A large sample of professionals was approached, but a much small number initiated and completed the online survey. This resulted in the lack of representation of some countries in the subcontinent. In the future, greater participation is needed to allow for a more comprehensive comparative analysis.

This research provides a more in-depth look at the current state of public relations practice in Latin America and the use of social media channels to communicate with stakeholders. Even if social media continue to create unprecedented opportunities, social media platforms have not been widely adopted by professionals in the region, probably due to the lack of appropriate structures, cultures and strategies for participative modes of social media communication.

This dearth of knowledge about how PR professionals use social media affects the engagement process, and as a result, the reputation, legitimization, satisfaction with and trust in organizations. Without listening carefully to stakeholder needs, satisfying these needs and establishing a real conversation, organizations will not be able to attain the sought-after engagement that leads to a stable and lasting relation with the public.

Although numerous articles on the situation of public relations in different Latin American countries have been published, this research is first attempt to investigate the use of social media channels in the subcontinent through opinions of a representative sample of professionals.

The purpose of this paper is to craft a new perspective on how we can view public relations that reflects important trends emerging in the field including digital media, storytelling, engagement and co-creation of meaning. Transmedia storytelling (an idea with some ties to public relations) and narrative transportation theory are synthesized to form the transmedia narrative transportation (TNT) approach to public relations. The paper details the development of the TNT approach and how it can be applied to public relations initiatives.

The approach is a literature review to inform the creation of the TNT approach. A case study is used to illustrate the TNT approach.

An innovative approach to conceptualizing and creating public relations initiatives is developed, explained and illustrated.

The paper examines only one case to illustrate the TNT approach.

The TNT approach develops a new perspective for public relations for developing and executing public relations initiatives. Transmedia storytelling has already been connected to the practice and TNT builds a more comprehensive approach for understanding its value to public relations.

There has been a limited application of transmedia storytelling to public relations. This paper synthesizes transmedia storytelling with narrative transportation theory to develop a theory-driven, new approach for public relations thinking. The TNT approach is a unique fusion of ideas that can bring an innovative approach to the practice of public relations that captures four emerging trends that are shaping the practice.

The aim of this study is to investigate the nature and extent of public relations activities in academic libraries in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. The focus is on understanding how academic libraries conduct and provide their public relations products and services.

The study reported here used the survey method, done in two phases. The first phase consisted of a questionnaire survey and the second phase was a focus group discussion based on the results of the survey.

Although all libraries indicated that public relations are important, a clear majority (72.2 percent) does not have a public relations unit or division, they have a very small number of staff involved in public relations work, and half of the responding libraries (50 percent) do not have full‐time staff for public relations. Library web site, traditional mail, displays and bulletin boards and library guides/brochures are major channels of communication. The study also reported on the main problems that prevent academic libraries from performing effective PR activities.

The results have implications for the planning and development of public relations programs and activities in academic libraries in GCC countries. It also indicates existing obstacles, suggestion and recommendations for further development.

This study reports the results of one of the few studies of public relations in academic libraries in developing countries. It increases the understanding and awareness of what public relations encompasses and how it can be utilized. It also advocates that the social media should be used in promoting library resources and services.

An empirical investigation examining the environmental uncertainty regarding inventory ordering which confronts a retailer in dealing with its suppliers is described. Of particular interest is how this uncertainty impacts on retailers' behavioural relationships with their suppliers. The findings indicate that increased levels of environmental uncertainty regarding inventory ordering result in higher levels of retailer‐supplier conflict. Suppliers that can offer retailers better customer service in order to reduce environmental uncertainty can improve their relations with retailers and thus develop a more efficient distribution system.

A longitudinal case study of the diffusion and change of mobile telephony in Sweden highlights the effects on service distribution against the background of rapid technological development and deregulations in the telecommunications industry. The descriptive and explorative study advances a contextual‐historical and interorganizational network perspective on service channel change and retail evolution. Explores the service distribution consequences of the emerging, increased technological integration within telecommunications, between fixed and mobile telephony, and between telecommunications and information and computer technology. Argues that these technological changes and the move towards convergence of telecommunications and information technology functions are connected to important structural changes in the distribution channels for these services. Builds on a case study of the Swedish distribution network for mobile telephony and identifies a number of significant structural channel changes. Discusses the distribution network consequences of technological convergence, in terms of new emerging patterns of channel relations and in terms of new roles and role sets. Elaborates on some general business implications of the convergence of former independent telephone, cable and information technology services.

Introduction The purpose of this paper is to explore possible mechanisms that could be employed by members of a distribution channel to increase the level of meaningful communication among them, especially in actual or potential conflict situations. Pragmatically, our concern is with achieving the establishment within a channel of superordinate goals—goals greatly desired by all those caught in dispute or conflict which cannot be attained by the resources and energies of each of the parties separately, but which require the concerted efforts of all parties involved. It is proposed here that channel members approach the state where they can adopt such goals as communication and interaction between them increase.

This study aims to gain a clearer understanding of digital channel design. The emergence of new technologies has revolutionised the way companies interact and engage with customers. The driver for this research was the suggestion that practitioners feel they do not possess the skills to understand and exploit new digital channel opportunities. To gain a clearer understanding of digital channel design, this paper addresses the research question: What digital channels do companies from a wide range of industries and sectors use?

A content analysis of 100 international companies was conducted with multiple data sources to form a typology of digital “touchpoints”. The appropriateness of a digital channel typology for this study was for developing rigorous and useful concepts for clarifying and refining the meaning of digital channels.

This study identifies what digital channels companies globally currently employ and explores the related needs across industries. A total of 34 digital touchpoints and 4 typologies of digital channels were identified across 16 industries. This research helps to identify the relationship between digital channels and enabling the connections with industry.

The findings contribute to the growing research area of digital channels. The typology of digital channels is a useful starting point for developing a systematic, theory-based study for enabling the development of broader, comprehensive theories of digital channels.

Typologies and touchpoints are outlined in relation to industry, company objectives and customer needs to allow businesses to seize opportunities and optimise performance through individual touchpoints. A digital channel model as a key outcome of this research guides practitioners on what touchpoint to implement through an interrelated understanding of industry, company and customer needs.

This is the first paper to explore a range of industries in relation to their use of digital channels using a unique content analysis. Contributions include clarifying and refining digital channel meaning; identifying and refining the hierarchical relations among digital channels (typologies); and establishing typology and industry relationship model.

The process of choosing a bank has been studied for several decades through different approaches. This paper presents a bank choice analysis designed to assess the usefulness of the hierarchical information integration method which involves measuring individual preferences. The substantive conclusions of this study are that, on average, respondents prefer the extended loyalty programs, the continuous information flow from the bank, the off‐site ATMs, the maximum five‐minutes waiting time in the branches and a simple application for all the accounts the bank offers. In terms of higher‐order decision constructs, delivery channels and customer relations have the strongest influence on the respondents’ preferences. The results suggest that hierarchical information integration may be a potentially useful method for bank managers to study complex decision‐making problems such as bank choice.