Journal of Public Diplomacy

The Korean Association for Public Diplomacy (한국공공외교학회)
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Foreign-Born Public Relations Faculty Members' Relationship with their Universities as a Soft Power Resource in U.S. Public Diplomacy

  • Received : 2021.08.13
  • Accepted : 2022.01.05
  • Published : 2022.06.30
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Abstract

With globalization and new communication technologies, governments aim to cultivate relationships with their foreign publics. This goal represents the convergence of the public relations and public diplomacy domains. In this regard, this study aims to explore how foreign-born faculty members' attitudes and behaviors toward the U.S. are shaped by their relationships with their universities. Findings confirm a significant link between foreign-born faculty members' perceived relationships with their universities and their attitudes and behavioral intentions toward the U.S. The authors conclude that a positive relationship between universities and foreign faculty members can serve as a soft power resource in U.S. public diplomacy. This study contributes to governments' public diplomacy efforts by analyzing the roles of the foreign-born faculty members as strategic communication channels in cultivating relationships between a host country and their homelands.

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