Normal is not normative: Public relations indicators from a Spanish secondary political and economic region

Abstract

The aim of this study is to analyze the state of communication in Galicia, as an example of a peripheral environment, and to determine to what extent it corresponds to the patterns indicated in different studies for the Spanish case and for the whole of Europe. A quantitative technique was used, consisting of the distribution of an online questionnaire, via e-mail, to three groups: communication officers from companies, communication managers from public institutions, and agencies offering communication and public relations services. Trends point to limited communication planning and to some impact of the economic crisis in terms of danger (budget cuts, especially in the case of agencies) and opportunity (increased need for measurements to justify investments). In addition, actions considered most needed within 5 years converge as a result of globalization: online communication and social media management are priority goals for diverse organizational profiles. However, the degree of awareness of strategic communication is higher in the institutional sector than in the corporate sector, since its use has been linked to the development of political communication management.