Defense Date

4-1-2022

Graduation Date

Spring 5-13-2022

Availability

One-year Embargo

Submission Type

dissertation

Degree Name

PhD

Department

Communication and Rhetorical Studies

School

McAnulty College and Graduate School of Liberal Arts

Committee Chair

Ronald C. Arnett

Committee Member

Janie M. Harden Fritz

Committee Member

Anthony M. Wachs

Keywords

Corporate Communication, Self-Interest, Sympathy, Multiplicity, Responsibility

Abstract

ABSTRACT

ADAM SMITH AND CORPORATE COMMUNICATION

Convergence, Embodiment, and Enhancement

By

Lazarus Langbiir

May 2022

Dissertation supervised by Dr. Ronald C. Arnett

The importance of Adam Smith’s thought and legacy for understanding corporate communication today is at the heart of this dissertation. Corporate communication is seen in this study as “one corporate body” interacting with its stakeholders in a complex world by embracing multiplicity or difference and managing communication needs in a manner that is coherent. By examining the thought and legacy of Adam Smith within the field of corporate communication, this dissertation seeks to extend the understanding of corporate communication as “corporeal” within the framework of its social, economic and political significance. Exploring Smith’s writings and examining his legacy, the dissertation proposes the recovery of his major ideas such as self-interest and sympathy for corporate communication theory and practice. Smith’s work offers meaningful insight for social, political, moral, and commercial life in today’s age, a period characterized by diversity. The implications drawn from Smith’s thought and legacy in this dissertation offer a vision of corporate communication that is flexible and adaptable to change based on the existing corporate environment.

Keywords: Corporate Communication, Self-Interest, Sympathy, Multiplicity, Responsibility

Language

English

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