Jangyul Robert Kim

What Makes People Hot? Applying the Situational Theory of Problem Solving to Hot-Issue Publics

Using a controversial issue that has drawn massive media coverage in South Korea, the government decision to resume imports of US beef, this study tested the applicability of the Situational Theory of Problem Solving (STOPS) to the rise of a hot-issue public. A survey of 300 respondents explored the perceptual, cognitive, and motivational antecedents of active information behaviors. Results suggest that the STOPS applies well to this unique sociopolitical situation, and that the theory works cross-culturally not only in the United States, but also in South Korea. In addition, we examined the role of cross-situational characteristics in detail, looking at whether political interest, prior experience in protest, and other sociodemographics could affect situational perceptions and cognitive frames. Theoretical and practical implications for future research and practices are discussed.

Developing a Crisis Management Index: Applications in South Korea

The purpose of this study is to develop a crisis management index that can gauge a corporations integrated crisis management capabilities. Although most crisis management models have been devised in Western countries, no full-scale crisis management index has been developed outside the Western hemisphere. This study deploys multiple research stages that reflect the characteristics of crisis management. First, the study validates index items through an extensive literature review, in-depth interviews, and professional audits. The dimensions of the index items are evaluated through an exploratory factor analysis and verified with construct validity through a confirmatory factor analysis. The final index dimensions—the organizational strategy, the organization system and culture, and the execution and communication—were applied to the case of South Korean corporations, and the implications based on their index scores are discussed.

The Effect of Issue Obtrusiveness, Issue Congruence, and Response Strategies on the Acceptance of Crisis Communication Messages

Based on issue ownership theory, this study identifies the effects of issue obtrusiveness, issue congruence, and crisis response strategies on the level of acceptance of crisis communication messages employing 2 × 2 × 3 (issue obtrusiveness × issue congruence × response strategies: scapegoat, justification, reminder) experimental research. Two large Korean business groups (Hyundai and SK) were selected. There was a main effect in crisis response strategies and a three-way interaction effect. A crisis communication message was effective when a corporation owns congruent and unobtrusive issues. Implications for public relations research and practices were discussed.

How Viagra Has Been Framed Since Its Launch: A Framing Analysis of Major Newspapers in South Korea and the USA

This study was designed to compare the coverage of Viagra by newspapers in South Korea and the United States, considering that different sexual cultures exist in these two countries. A total of 421 articles from four major news- papers, Chosun Ilbo and Dong-A Ilbo in Korea and The New York Times and USA Today in the United States, were ana- lyzed. It was found that Korean newspapers covered Viagra as a medical drug, whereas American newspapers more fre- quently framed Viagra as a social influencer. Also, it was determined that American newspapers more frequently drew in- formation from drug manufacturers and patients, whereas Korean papers utilized experts, the government, and interna- tional or foreign news as their information sources. Further findings and implications also are discussed.