Bio

Rita Men, Ph.D., APR, is an associate professor of public relations at the University of Florida. Men’s background is based primarily in corporate communication research and consulting. Her research interests include internal communication, leadership communication, public engagement, measurement and evaluation, relationship/reputation management, and social media public relations.

Men has published over 30 articles in leading refereed journals, including the Journal of Public Relations Research, Communication Research, Management Communication Quarterly, Public Relations Review, New Media and Society, Journalism and Mass Communication Quarterly, Journal of Communication Management, International Journal of Strategic Communication, Computers in Human Behavior, Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking, Public Relations Journal, Corporate Communication: An International Journal, Corporate Reputation Review, Journal of Marketing Communications, Journal of Research in Interactive Marketing, Journal of Interactive Advertising, and as book chapters in Handbook of Communication and Corporate Reputation, The IABC Handbook of Organizational Communication, Public Relations and Participatory Culture:  Fandom, Social Media, and Community Engagement, and New Media and Public Relations. She is the lead author of the book, Excellence in Internal Communication Management. She serves on the editorial board of the Journal of Public Relations Research, Communication Research Report, and has served as a reviewer of many journals and conferences. Men received 16 top paper and research awards from national and international communication and public relations associations. She is the 2010 recipient of the Ketchum Excellence in Public Relations Research Award from the Institute for Public Relations, a 2013 – 2014 Arthur W. Page Legacy Scholar, a 2017-2022 Plank Scholar of the Plank Center for Leadership in Public Relations, and the 2016 recipient of the PRIDE Outstanding Journal Article Award for Outstanding Innovation, Development, and Educational Achievement in Public Relations from the National Communication Association.

Accredited in public relations and as a Page Up member of the Arthur W. Page Society, Men’s professional experience includes corporate communication, marketing, and public relations research. She has worked internationally with Alibaba Group, Inc., Ketchum, Inc., and provided communication consultancy for multiple multinational corporations and non-profit organizations. She is the advisory board member and former co-organizer of the International Public Relations Research Conference. She also serves as the Chief Research Editor for the Institute for Public Relations’ Organizational Communication Research Center. Men earned her Ph.D. in Communication in 2012 from the University of Miami, and holds an M.Phil in Communication from Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong, and a B.A. in International Communication from Zhejiang University, China.

News

• Rita Men and Two CIC Doctoral Students Selected for PRSA Educators Academy Awards (July 30, 2017)
• Three CJC Faculty Receive Promotions (June 28, 2017)
• WATCH: The Social CEO (March 29, 2017)
• The Power of Internal Communication: An Interview with Dr. Rita Men (January 26, 2017)
• Rita Linjuan Men Co-Authors Internal Communication Management Book (January 3, 2017)
• All News About Rita Men

Publications

REFEREED JOURNAL PUBLICATIONS    

Men, L. R., & Tsai, W. S. (2016). Public engagement with CEOs on social media: Motivations and relational outcomes. Public Relations Review, 42(5), 932-942.

Men, L. R., & Muralidharan, S. (2016). Antecedents and Relational Outcomes of Social Media Peer Communication about Companies: Evidence from China and the United States. Journalism & Mass Communication Quarterly. DOI: 10.1177/1077699016674187

Men, L. R., & Jiang, H. (2016). Toward an integrated model of internal relationship management: Understanding the interplay between authentic leadership, organizational culture, and symmetrical communication. International Journal of Strategic Communication. 10(5), 462-479, DOI: 10.1080/1553118X.2016.1226172

Tsai, W. S., & Men, L. R. (2016). Social CEOs: The effects of CEOs’ communication styles and para social interaction on social networking sites. New Media & Society. DOI:10.1177/1461444816643922

Jiang, H., & Men, L. R. (2015). Creating an engaged workforce: The impact of authentic leadership, transparent communication, and work-life enrichment. Communication Research. DOI: 10.1177/0093650215613137

Men, L. R. (2015a). The internal communication role of the Chief Executive Officer: Communication channels, style, and effectiveness. Public Relations Review, 41, 461-471.

Men, L. R. (2015b). Employee engagement in relation to employee–organization relationships and internal reputation: Effects of leadership communication Public Relations Journal, 9(2), https://www.prsa.org/Intelligence/PRJournal/Documents/2015v09n02Men.pdf

Men, L. R. (2015c). The role of ethical leadership in internal communication: Influence on communication symmetry, leader credibility, and employee engagement. Public Relations Journal, 9(1). http://www.prsa.org/Intelligence/PRJournal/Documents/2015v09n01Men.pdf (funded by LEGACY SCHOLAR GRANT)

Men, L. R., & Hung, C-J. F. (2015). Engaging employees in China: The impact of communication channels, organization transparency, and authenticity. Corporate Communication: An International Journal, 20(4), 448-467.

Men, L. R., & Tsai, W-S. (2015). Infusing social media with humanity: Corporate character, public engagement, and relational outcomes. Public Relations Review, 41, 395-403.

Muralidharan, S., & Men, L. R. (2015). How peer communication and engagement motivations influence social media shopping behavior: Evidence from China and the United States. Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking, 18(10), 595-601.

Smith, B., Men L. R., & Al-Sinan, R. (2015). Tweeting Taksim: Communication power and social media advocacy in the Taksim Square protests. Computers in Human Behavior, 50, 499-507.

Men, L. R. (2014a). Why leadership matters to internal communication: Linking transformational leadership, symmetrical communication, and employee outcomes. Journal of Public Relations Research, 26 (3), 256-279. 

Men, L. R., & Stacks, D. W. (2014). The effects of authentic leadership on strategic internal communication and employee-organization relationships. Journal of Public Relations Research, 26(4), 301-324. (LEAD ARTICLE)

Men, L. R., & Tsai, W. S. (2014). Perceptual, attitudinal, and behavioral outcomes of organization–public engagement on corporate Social Networking Sites. Journal of Public Relations Research, 26(5), 417-435.  

Men, L. R. (2014b). Strategic employee communication: Transformational leadership, communication channels, and employee satisfaction. Management Communication Quarterly, 28(2), 264-284. (AMONG SAGE PUBLICATION’S TOP READ MEDIA & COMMUNICATION ARTICLES OF 2014) 

Men, L. R. (2014c). Internal reputation management: Effects of authentic leadership and transparent communication. Corporate Reputation Review, 17, 254-272.

Tsai, W. S., & Men, L. R. (2014). Consumer engagement with brands on social network sites: A cross-cultural comparison of China and the United States. Journal of Marketing Communications. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/13527266.2014.942678

Men, L. R., & Tsai, W. S. (2013a). Beyond liking or following: Understanding public engagement on corporate social media in China. Public Relations Review, 39, 13-22.

Men, L. R., & Tsai, W. S. (2013b). Towards an integrated model of public engagement on corporate Social Network Sites: Antecedents, the process, and relational outcomes. International Journal of Strategic Communication, 7(4), 257-273.

Men, L. R., & Stacks, D. W. (2013). Measuring the impact of leadership style and employee empowerment on perceived organizational reputation. Journal of Communication Management, 17, 171-192

Tsai, W. S., & Men, L. R. (2013). Motivations and antecedents of consumer engagement with brand pages on Social Networking Sites. Journal of Interactive Advertising, 13(2), 76-87.

Men, L. R., & Hung, C. J. F. (2012). Exploring the roles of organization-public relationships in strategic management: Towards an integrated model. International Journal of Strategic Communication, 6 (2), 151-173.

Men, L. R., & Tsai, W. S. (2012). How companies cultivate relationships with publics on Social Network Sites: Evidence from China and the United States. Public Relations Review, 38, 723-730.

Tsai, W. S., & Men, L. R. (2012). Culture values reflected in corporate pages on popular Social Network Sites in China and the United States: A cross-cultural content analysis. Journal of Research in Interactive Marketing, 6, 42-58. (EMERALD CITATIONS OF EXCELLENCE FOR 2015)

Men, L. R. (2012a). CEO credibility, perceived organizational reputation, and employee engagement. Public Relations Review, 38, 171-173.

Men, L. R. (2012b). Revisiting the continuum of types of organization-public relationships: From a resource-based view. Public Relations Journal, 6 (1). Retrieved from http://www.prsa.org/intelligence/prjournal/documents/2012men.pdf

Men, L. R. (2011). How employee empowerment influences organization-employee relationships in China. Public Relations Review, 37, 435-437.

BOOKS

Men, L. R., & Bowen, S. (2017). Excellence in Internal Communication Management. Business Expert Press, New York.

Men, L. R., Dodd, M., & Yamamura, K. (2010). Instructors’ Manual for Primer of Public Relations Research. NY: The Guilford Press.

BOOK CHAPTERS

Men, L. R., & Tsai, W. S. (2017). Authenticity. In Heath, B., & Johansen, W. (Eds). The International Encyclopedia of Strategic Communication. John Wiley & Sons, Inc., New York. 

Men, L. R. (2016). Corporate Internal Relations: Theoretical Foundations and Current Issues (企业内部关系的发展与实践：理论基础及当前问题). In Chen, X. (Ed). The Imagination of Public Relations (公共关系学的想象). Peking University Press, Peking, China.

Men, L. R., & Tsai, W. S. (2016). Gearing toward excellence in corporate social media communications: Understanding the why and how of public engagement. In Hutchins, A., & Tindall, N. (Eds). Public Relations and Participatory Culture:  Fandom, Social Media, and Community Engagement (pp. 89-102). Routledge, New York.

Stacks, D. W., Dodd, M., & Men, L. R. (2013). Corporate reputation measurement. In Carroll, C. (Ed.). Handbook of Communication and Corporate Reputation (pp.561-573). London: Blackwell.

Stacks, D. W., Dodd, M., & Men, L. R. (2011). Public relations research and planning. In Gillis, T. (Ed.) The IABC Handbook of Organizational Communication: A Guide to Internal Communication, Public Relations, Marketing and Leadership (pp. 287-300), 2^nd ed., Jossey-Bass, Inc, San Francisco.

CONFERENCE PROCEEDINGS AND PRESENTATIONS

Men, L. R., Ji, Y. G., & Chen, Z. F. (2016, November). Dialogues with entrepreneurs in China: How startup companies cultivate relationships with strategic publics. Paper to be presented at the Annual Convention of National Communication Association, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Men, L. R., & Muralidharan, S. (2016, August). Antecedents and Relational Outcomes of Social Media Peer Communication about Companies: Evidence from China and the United States. Paper to be presented at the 100^th Annual Convention of Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication, Minneapolis, Minnesota. (***FIRST PLACE TOP OPEN COMPETITION PAPER AWARD***)

Yang, A., & Men, L. R. (2016, June). Political information use on mobile SNS and political discussion in China: The role of WeChat users’ social networks. Paper presented at the Annual Conference of International Communication Association, Fukuoka, Japan.

Smith, B. G., Smith, S. B., & Men, L. R. (2016, June). Social media as crisis coping engine: The role of social media in emotional support during a time of crisis. Paper presented at the Barcelona PR Meeting, Barcelona, Spain.

Men, L. R., & Song, B. (2016, March). Antecedents of social media political engagement in China: Through the lens of political discussion about Xi Jinping on WeChat. Paper presented at the 19^th International Public Relations Research Conference, Miami, FL.

 Chen, Z., J, Y., & Men, L. R. (2016, March). Strategic use of social media for stakeholder engagement and relationship cultivation in startup companies in China: A triangulated approach. Paper presented at the 19^th International Public Relations Research Conference, Miami, FL.

 

Men, L. R. (2015, November). The role of ethical leadership in internal communication: Influences on communication symmetry, leader credibility, and employee engagement. Paper presented at the Annual Convention of National Communication Association, Las Vegas.

Men, L. R. (2015, November). Communicating power and negative emotions on social media. Panel presentation at the Annual Convention of National Communication Association, Las Vegas.

Men, L. R., & Tsai, W. S. (2015, November). CEO social media engagement: The effects of communication styles and para social interaction on public relational and behavioral outcomes. Paper presented at the PRSA International Conference, Atlanta, GA.

Men, L. R. (2015, May). The internal communication role of the Chief Executive Officer: Communication channels, style, and effectiveness. Paper presented at the Annual Conference of International Communication Association, San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Hung, C. J. F., & Men, L. R. (2015, May). Building an authentic enterprise in China: Roles of leadership, strategic communication, and effects on employee engagement. Paper presented the Annual Conference of International Communication Association, San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Men, L. R., & Tsai, W. S. (2015, March). Public engagement with CEOs on social media: Motivations and outcomes. Paper presented at the 18^h International Public Relations Research Conference, Miami, FL.

Men, L. R., & Jiang, H. (2015, March). Toward an integrated model of internal relationship management: Understanding the interplay between organizational leadership, culture, and symmetrical communication. Paper presented at the 18^h International Public Relations Research Conference, Miami, FL

Men, L. R., & Sung, Y. (2014, November). Shaping corporate character through strategic communication: The effects on employee-organization relationships. Paper presented at the Annual Convention of National Communication Association, Chicago.

Men, L. R., & Sung, Y. (2014, November). Relational antecedents of employee engagement: A test of the investment model predictions. Paper presented at the Annual Convention of National Communication Association, Chicago.

Jiang, H., & Men, L. R. (2014, October). Creating an engaged workforce: The impact of authentic leadership, transparent communication, and work-life enrichment. Paper presented at the 2014 PRSA International Conference, Washington, D. C.

Men, L. R., & Tsai, W-S. (2014, August). Infusing social media with humanity: The impact of corporate character on public engagement and relational outcomes on Social Networking Sites. Paper presented at the 98th Annual Convention of Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication, Montreal, CA.

Men, L. R., & Hung, C-J. F. (2014, August). Engaging employees in the social era in China: Effects of communication channels, transparency, and authenticity. Paper presented at the 98^th Annual Convention of Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication, Montreal, CA.

Men, L. R. (2014, May). Employee engagement in relation to employee–organization relationships and internal reputation: Effects of leadership communication. Paper presented at the Annual Conference of International Communication Association, Seattle, WA.

Men, L. R., & Tsai, W-S. (2014, March). Why does social media engagement matter? Perceptual, attitudinal, and behavioral outcomes of organization–public engagement on Social Networking Sites. Paper presented at the 17^th International Public Relations Research Conference, Miami, FL. (***BOSTON UNIVERSITY AWARD FOR THE TOP PAPER ABOUT PUBLIC RELATIONS AND THE SOCIAL AND EMERGING MEDIA***)

Men, L. R., & Stacks, D. W. (2013, Nov). Effects of authentic leadership on strategic internal communication and organization-employee relationship. Paper presented at the Annual Convention of National Communication Association, Washington, D. C.

Men, L. R. (2013, Oct). Internal reputation management: The impact of authentic leadership and transparent communication. Paper presented at the 2013 PRSA International Conference, Pennsylvania.

Men, L. R., & Tsai, S. W. (2013, Aug). Public engagement with companies on Social Network Sites: A cross-cultural comparison of China and the United States. Paper presented at the 97^th Annual Convention of Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication, Washington, D. C. (***TOP OPEN RESEARCH PAPER AWARD ***)

Men, L. R. (2013, June). Excellence in internal public relations: The impact of transformational leadership on strategic communication and employee outcomes. Paper presented at the Annual Conference of International Communication Association, London, UK (Accepted, 36% acceptance rate).

Men, L. R., & Tsai, W. S. (2013, April). Toward an integrated model of public engagement with corporate SNSs in China: Antecedents, the process, and relational outcomes. Paper presented at the Third Annual Global Research Conference, Charlotte, North Carolina. (***TOP PAPER AWARD***)

Men, L. R. (2013, March). Strategic employee communication: Transformational leadership, optimized communication channels and employee satisfaction. Paper presented at 16th Annual International Public Relations Research Conference, Miami, FL.

Men, L. R., & Beatty, M. (2012, November). A quantitative analysis of quantitative studies published in the Journal of Public Relations Research. Paper presented at the Annual Convention of National Communication Association, Orlando, FL.

Men, L. R. (2012, Oct). Revisiting the continuum of types of organization-public relationships: From a resource-based view. Invited presentation at the Annual PRSA International Conference, San Francisco, CA. (***The Best of PRSA’s Public Relations Journal of 2011-2012 Award***)

Tsai, W. S., & Men, L. R. (2012, August). Antecedents and motivations of public engagement with corporate pages on Social Network Site. Paper presented at the 96^th Annual Convention of Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication, Chicago.

Men, L. R., & Stacks, D. W. (2012, May). The impact of leadership style and employee empowerment on perceived organizational reputation. Paper presented at the Annual Conference of International Communication Association, Phoenix, AZ. (*** TOP STUDENT PAPER AWARD***)

Men, L. R., & Tsai, W. S. (2012, March). Understanding public engagement on corporate Social Network Sites (SNSs). Paper presented at 15th Annual International Public Relations Research Conference, Miami, FL. (*** RED RAIDER PUBLIC RELATIONS RESEARCH AWARD***)

Men, L. R. (2011, August). Measuring the impact of CEO credibility on perceived organizational reputation and employee engagement. Paper presented at the 95^th Annual Convention of Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication, St. Louis.

Men, L. R., & Tsai, W. S. (2011, August). How companies cultivate relationships with publics on Social Network Sites in China and the United States: A cross-cultural content analysis. Paper presented at the 95^th Annual Convention of Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication, St. Louis.

Men, L. R. (2011, May). Exploring the impact of employee empowerment on organization-employee relationship. Paper presented at the Annual Conference of International Communication Association, Boston, MA. (***TOP STUDENT PAPER AWARD***)

Men, L. R., & Tsai, W. S. (2011, March). Cross-culture comparison of corporate pages on Social Network Sites (SNSs): RenRen VS Facebook. Paper presented at the 14^th Annual International Public Relations Research Conference, Miami, FL.

Men, L. R., & Hung, C. J. F. (2010, August). Exploring the roles of organization-public relationships in strategic management: Towards an integrated model. Paper presented at the 94^th Annual Convention of Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication, Denver, CO.

Men, L. R. (2010, March). Revisiting the continuum of types of organization-public relationships: From a resource-based view. Paper presented at 13th Annual International Public Relations Research Conference, Miami, FL.

Men, L. R, & Hung, C. J. F. (2009, August). Exploring the value of organization-public relationships in strategic management: A resource-based view. Paper presented at the 93^th Annual Convention of Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication, Boston, MA.

Hung, C. J. F., Men, L. R., & Yuen, W. Y. A. (2009, March). Similarities and differences in relationship marketing and relationship management. Paper presented in 12th Annual International Public Relations Research Conference, Miami, FL.

Research

Research Keywords

public engagement, corporate communication, organization-public relationship management, reputation management, internal communication, employee relations,leadership, measurement and evaluation, social media public relations, international public relations

Courses

Syllabi from the current and three previous semesters:

• MMC  6936 - Fundraising Communication Fundamentals - section 02EE - Fall 2017 (PDF)
• PUR  4800 - Public Relations Campaigns - section 2318 - Fall 2017 (PDF)
• PUR  4800 - Public Relations Campaigns - section 29H6 - Fall 2017 (PDF)
• PUR  4972 - Internal Communications and Employee Engagement - section 0412 - Fall 2017 (PDF)
• MMC  6936 - Fundraising Communication Fundamentals - section 08AA - Spring 2017 (PDF)
• PUR  4800 - Public Relations Campaigns - section 1544 - Spring 2017 (PDF)
• MMC  6936 - Fundraising Communication Fundamentals - section 02EE - Fall 2016 (PDF)
• PUR  3500 - Public Relations Research - section 4742 - Fall 2016 (PDF)
• PUR  4800 - Public Relations Campaigns - section 2318 - Fall 2016 (PDF)