Bio

Rita Linjuan Men, Ph.D., APR, is an associate professor in the Department 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, measurement and evaluation, relationship/reputation management, emerging technologies, and entrepreneurial communications.

Men has published more than 50 articles in leading refereed journals, such as Communication Research, New Media and Society, Journal of Public Relations Research, Management Communication Quarterly, Public Relations Review, Journalism and Mass Communication Quarterly, among others, and as book chapters. She is the lead author of the book, Excellence in Internal Communication Management published by Business Expert Press in 2017.  She serves on the editorial board of the Journal of Public Relations Research, Public Relations Review, Public Relations Journal, Communication Research Report, andJournal of Interactive Advertising, and has served as a reviewer for numerous journals and conferences. Men received over 20 top paper and research awards and recognitions from national and international communication associations and conferences. She is the 2010 recipient of the Ketchum Excellence in Public Relations Research Award from the Institute for Public Relations, a 2013 – 2014 and 2017-2018 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. Men’s work has been cited over 2,000 times with a Google Scholar Citations h-index 22 and i10-index 30.

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 management communication consulting for various multinational corporations and non-profit organizations. She is the advisory board member of the International Public Relations Research Conference (IPRRC) and the International Association for the Measurement and Evaluation of Communication (AMEC). She also serves as Chief Research Editor for the Institute for Public Relations’ Organizational Communication Research Center.

Men earned her Ph.D. in Communication from the University of Miami in 2012, and holds an M.Phil in Communication from Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong, and a B.A. in International Communication with an honors minor in Innovation and Entrepreneurship from Zhejiang University, China.

News

• Creating a Positive Emotional Culture: Why Does it Matter and What Can Communication Leaders Do? (June 17, 2019)
• Rita Men Co-Authors Article on Negative Peer Communication and Social Media Impact (May 29, 2019)
• Rita Men Co-Authors Article on Positive Emotional Culture Research (April 9, 2019)
• CJC Faculty and Students Honored at the Annual IPRRC Conference (March 8, 2019)
• CJC Faculty and Students Honored at Annual AEJMC Conference (August 10, 2018)
• All News About Rita Men

Publications

REFEREED JOURNAL PUBLICATIONS    

Yue, C. A., Thelen, P., Robinson, K., & Men, L. R. (2019, in press). How do CEOs communicate on Twitter? A comparative study between Fortune 200 companies and top startup companies. Corporate Communications: An International Journal

Qin, Y. S., & Men, L. R. (2019). Exploring negative peer communication of companies on social media and its impact on organization-public relationships. Public Relations Review. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pubrev.2019.05.016

Yang, A., & Men, L. R. (2019). Political information use on mobile SNS and political discussion in China: Towards a networked political discussion model. Chinese Journal of Communication. https://doi.org/10.1080/17544750.2019.1618354

Men, L. R., & Yue, A. C. (2019). Creating a positive emotional culture: Effects of strategic internal communication and its impact on employee supportive behaviors.Public Relations Review. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pubrev.2019.03.001

Yue, C. A., Men, L. R., & Ferguson, M. (2019). Bridging transformational leadership, transparent communication, and employee openness to change: The mediating role of trust. Public Relations Review. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pubrev.2019.04.012

Ewing, M., Men, L. R., & O’Neil, J. (2019). Using Social Media to Engage Employees: Insights from Internal Communication Managers. International Journal of Strategic Communication, 13(2), 110-132. https://doi.org/10.1080/1553118X.2019.1575830

Men, L. R., Sung, Y., & Yue, C. A. (2019). Relational antecedents of employee engagement: A test of the investment model predictions. Public Relations Journal..https://prjournal.instituteforpr.org/wp-content/uploads/Relational-Antecedents-of-Employee-Engagement-Manuscript-Final.pdf

Men, L. R., & Sung, Y. (2019). Shaping corporate character through strategic communication: The effects on employee-organization relationships.International Journal of Business Communication. DOI: 10.1177/2329488418824989

Thelen, P., & Men, L. R. (2018). Strategic use of Facebook for public engagement in higher education institutions. Public Relations Journal.https://prjournal.instituteforpr.org/wp-content/uploads/Thelen_Men_StrategicUseofFacebook.pdf

Men, L. R., & Robinson, K. (2018). It’s about how the employees feel! Examining the impact of emotional culture on employee-organization relationships. Corporate Communications: An International Journal.
DOI: 10.1108/CCIJ-05-2018-0065

Men, L. R., Tsai, W. S., Chen, Z. F., & Ji, Y. G. (2018). Social Presence and Digital Dialogic Communication: Engagement Lessons from Top Social CEOs. Journal of Public Relations Research, 30(3), 83-99.
DOI: 10.1080/1062726X.2018.1498341

Men, L. R., & Chen, Z. F., & Ji, Y. G. (2018). Walking the talk: An exploratory examination of executive leadership communication at start-up companies in China. Journal of Public Relations Research, 30, 33–56.
DOI: 10.1080/1062726X.2018.1455147

Men, L. R., Yang, A., Song, B., Kiousis, S. (2018). Government-public relationship cultivation in the digital era: The impact of public engagement and political leadership communication on social media. International Journal of Strategic Communication, 12, 252–268.
DOI: 10.1080/1553118X.2018.1445090

Tsai, W. S., & Men, L. R. (2018). Social messengers as the new frontier of organization-public engagement: Antecedents and relational outcomes. Public Relations Review. 44, 419–429. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pubrev.2018.04.004

Men, L. R., Ji, Y. G., & Chen, Z. F. (2017). Dialogues with entrepreneurs in China: How startup companies cultivate relationships with strategic publics. Journal of Public Relations Research, 29(2–3), 90–113.
DOI: 10.1080/1062726X.2017.1329736

Chen, Z. F., Ji, Y. G., & Men, L. R. (2017). Strategic use of social media for stakeholder engagement in startup companies in China: A triangulated analysis. International Journal of Strategic Communication, 11(3), 244–267. DOI: 10.1080/1553118X.2017.1298114

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, 94, 81–101.
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 parasocial interaction on social networking sites. New Media & Society, 19(11), 1848-1867.
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.

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:

• PUR  6934 - Internal Communications and Employee Engagement - Fall 2019 (PDF)
• PUR  4800 - Public Relations Campaigns - section 2764 - Spring 2019 (PDF)
• PUR  4932 - Internal Communications and Employee Engagement - Spring 2019 (PDF)