Juan-Carlos Molleda, Ph.D., IPR Trustee, University of Oregon

IPR's influence on international PR began long before the organization started sponsoring multinational research or hosting events outside North America. Scholars and graduate students worldwide have always contributed to the growing body of knowledge archived on the IPR website. This global exchange of knowledge and best practices has placed IPR on the reference map of aspiring junior and senior researchers, as well as concerned professionals.
 
IPR achieved a strong and influential voice in global affairs and developments, however the work still has far to go. IPR's future goals include additional multinational and comparative studies, workshops and symposia in various world locations, with greater availability and access to original online content. Read more.
Stephen Thomas, IPR Trustee, AIA Group

As IPR approaches its 60th Anniversary, practitioners in the United States are well aware of the active and important role IPR has played in driving the advancement of public relations. However, for communications professionals outside the U.S., there is far less awareness and understanding of IPR and the work the organization is doing to support the changing nature and increasing importance of our profession.

IPR is approaching its seventh decade and perhaps one ingredient to its longevity is a guard against complacency. Whether in Asia or elsewhere, we will continue to actively look for opportunities where IPR can make a real and valued difference in supporting the field of public relations - and the professionalism and effectiveness of its practitioners. Read more.
Lan Ni, Ph.D., University of Houston

With the growth of globalization, more organizations now have employees from other countries. These immigrant professionals (IPs) face unique challenges in that they not only need to reorient to a new societal culture, but also a new organizational culture. According to a recent study, IPs expressed concern about how employers only follow the standard practices without going above and beyond to cater to immigrant employees.

Even though almost all participants felt they were respected and their voices made a difference, this was often limited to the technical areas in which they were knowledgeable and had expertise. With regards to other administrative or managerial issues, they did not feel much involvement in making decisions such as changes in operations. Read more.
Institute for Public Relations | 352-392-0280 | sarah@instituteforpr.org |  www.instituteforpr.org