Public relations in the new millennium: Towards a synoptic view of fifteen years of research in Public Relations Review in the 21st century (2000–2014)

• Published in: Public relations review 2022-06, Vol.48 (2), p.102175, Article 102175
• Main Authors: Elgueta-Ruiz, Alvaro, Martínez-Ortiz, Javier
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: 21st century; Content analysis; Methodology; Productivity; Public relations; Public relations research; Topics and trends
• ISSN: 0363-8111; 1873-4537
• DOI: 10.1016/j.pubrev.2022.102175

This text is part of a broader project that seeks to examine the field of Public Relations from the systematic study of scientific production published in the main academic journal of the specialty: Public Relations Review (ISSN 0363–8111). From an analysis of the content of all the papers (n = 1037) published in this journal during 15 years, between 2000 and 2014, the authors, topics, universities, professional networks, countries, objectives, questions, hypotheses, methodologies, techniques, theories and type of applied research have been examined. The main authors, universities and countries with the highest productivity are identified, as well as the dominant topics in the field and their evolution over time, among others important issues, in order to contribute to an overview of the past, present and future of public relations research from what was addressed in the journal during the first fifteen years of the XXI century. It concludes with suggestions for future research. •17 of the 22 most productive universities -more than 13 published articles- are American -most from USA-.•Most research came from individuals or local research networks. International research is marginal.•Business issues were the main interest topics, over those of social interest, a expected trend in future research.•There was a positive evolution of methodological design, with a growing presence of mixed and experimental methodologies.