Two Types of Public Relations Problems and Integrating Formative and Evaluative Research: A Review of Research Programs within the Behavioral, Strategic Management Paradigm

Through a review of related research programs within the behavioral, strategic management paradigm in public relations, this article integrates the use of formative and evaluative research in two types of public relations problems. Aiming to propose a theory-driven guiding procedure for public relations practice, this article first defines 2 different kinds of public relations problems and proposes new ways of using existing theories (situational theory and relational theory) for both formative research (focusing on identification of publics) and evaluative research (i.e., assessment of public relations effectiveness using the most appropriate metrics).