Coping with complexity. Sociocybernetics as a Framework for Communication Management

Summary, in English

Many models currently discussed in PR studies lack a supporting meta-theory of what managing communication is about, and consequently paint a simplistic picture of what communicating with publics or managing phenomena such as reputation actually means. While it is common to speak of “building” trust or “constructing” images, “cultivating” seems a more appropriate metaphor. Publics are complex, dynamic social systems that act in accordance with their own rules and inherent logics. An advanced theory needs to reflect capabilities as well as limitations of managing communication. We present sociocybernetics as a basis on which to found such a theory.