20.500.12556/RUL-174195 Exploring public relations' social impact insights from a Delphi study Public relations plays an increasingly visible role in shaping social discourse, stakeholder relationships, and public values. While often positioned as a communicator of organizational impact, less attention has been paid to public relations’ own social impact as a professional and cultural practice. This study investigates how scholars and practitioners define and evaluate the societal impact of public relations and communication. Drawing on a four-round international Delphi study involving 313 participants across 23 countries, the research identifies eight dimensions through which public relations influences society: excellence-driven communication, sustainability and environmental advocacy, management and performance-driven public relations, stakeholder-centric communication, awareness and social understanding, public relations for social change and advocacy, behavioural and attitudinal influence, and critical perspectives on public relations’ impact. The findings illustrate that public relations is seen not only as a mediator of social meaning but also as a producer of social outcomes—both positive and potentially harmful. The study contributes to theoretical and professional debates by integrating modernist, postmodern, and critical perspectives on communication and social responsibility. It argues for a more reflexive and accountable approach to the practice, positioning it as key in advancing ethical, inclusive, and sustainable societal change. public relations communications social impact sustainability stakeholders critical perspective Odnosi z javnostmi sporazumevanje družbeni vpliv true false true Angleški jezik Slovenski jezik Članek v reviji 2025-09-30 04:38:41 2025-09-30 10:56:46 2025-11-21 12:50:30 0000-00-00 00:00:00 2025 0 0 10 str. issue 5, [article no.] 102637 Vol. 51 Dec. 2025 0000-00-00 Zaloznikova Objavljeno NiDoloceno 0000-00-00 0000-00-00 0000-00-00 659.4:316.4.063 0363-8111 10.1016/j.pubrev.2025.102637 249797891 Golob_et_al_PRR.pdf Golob_et_al_PRR.pdf 1 B6C85D600EEE3BCEC19700E0B8167C99 e0e661457c2a50327aa975a38a09e7523f08b116fd2450e083c272c4dc0fec95 12a63a6e-9de4-11f0-9328-0050569b8976 https://repozitorij.uni-lj.si/Dokument.php?lang=slv&id=219029 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0363811125000992 0 23ada2b4-9de4-11f0-9328-0050569b8976 https://repozitorij.uni-lj.si/Dokument.php?lang=slv&id=219030 Fakulteta za družbene vede 0 0 0