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Corporate Public Affairs: Commitment, Resources, and Structure

George Washington University, jgriffin{at}gwu.edu

Paul Dunn

Brock University, paul.dunn{at}brocku.ca

Using resource dependency and institutional theories, we create and test a model examining the relationships among senior management commitment, resource allocations, and the structure of public affairs departments. Using a large sample of U.S.-based firms, we find a positive relationship between senior management commitment to the public affairs function and the level of human and monetary resources allocated to the public affairs department. Furthermore, firms structure their public affairs responsibilities into three common activity sets: communications, collaborations, and local activities. These common activities are, in turn, positively associated with senior management commitment and resources allocated to the public affairs department.

Key Words: corporate public affairs • institutional theory • public affairs departments • resource dependence theory • senior management commitment

Business & Society, Vol. 43, No. 2, 196-220 (2004)
DOI: 10.1177/0007650304266277


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