The Arthur W. Page Center

09/11/2026

"Because what you're saying matters. Word choice does matter."

A Page Center study is examining how Fortune 500 companies communicate their positions and what those choices mean for stakeholders. Read the Q&A with scholar Alan Abitbol (Tampa) on the Page Center blog.

In recent years, companies have faced growing expectations to speak out on social issues. Now, many are rethinking how they communicate their stances. A recent

09/10/2026

Today marks the birthday of Arthur W. Page, a communications pioneer who believed organizations should earn public trust through their actions. His belief that public trust is earned through actions, not just words, remains as relevant today as ever.

Learn more about our namesake on the Page Center website: https://pagecenter.psu.edu/about/about-arthur-w-page

09/08/2026

Page Center scholars Yoon-Joo Lee (Washington State) and Huan Chen (Florida) are examining how emerging technologies may help organizations provide verifiable evidence of their CSR efforts, rather than asking consumers to simply take the company's word for it.

Read about this project on the Page Center blog:

Today’s era of political polarization has increased skepticism toward corporations and what they stand for. In a study supported by the Page Center, scholars

09/03/2026

What happens when organizations stop leading the conversation and start listening to their publics instead?

Scholar Dean Mundy (Oregon) explains how shifting this traditional relationship can reshape communication strategies and strengthen connections with key audiences. Findings from his Page Center study offer insight into how organizations can better understand and engage their audiences.

Read about the project on the Page Center blog:

Certainly the concept of “relationships” has existed at the center of public relations research and theory for decades, specifically the relationships betwe

09/01/2026

“A majority of firms say they engage in green hushing. That means in practice they're super pro-environment. But they don’t communicate anything about it because they recognize that it's a divisive issue that can potentially alienate their customer base.”

In this Q&A, scholar John Balabanis (Leicester) discusses the growing challenge organizations face when deciding whether to speak out on controversial issues. Research by Balabanis and scholar Georgiana Grigore's (Leicester) aims to create a practical framework to help companies navigate political hostility, public expectations and ethical decision-making.

Read more on the blog:

Knowing that hostility toward a company’s decisions can escalate into hate and, at times, violence, Page Center scholars John Balabanis and Georgiana Grigore,

08/28/2026

Reminder that our 2027 research call is open for submissions!

Manage for tomorrow by thinking of ideas today. The deadline for proposals is Jan. 15.

Thanks for sharing Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication, University of Georgia

Scholars from the Crisis Communication Think Tank (CCTT) are invited to submit proposals that examine the interplay of integrity and crisis communication.

08/27/2026

Why does one company quietly scale back its DEI efforts while another doubles down? Page Center scholar Alan Abitbol (Tampa) discusses a new research project with scholar Kelly Vibber (Dayton) that is examining how Fortune 500 companies use different strategies to communicate about DEI. The findings could help organizations craft more effective statements about their actions and values. Read the Q&A with Alan on the Page Center blog.

In recent years, companies have faced growing expectations to speak out on social issues. Now, many are rethinking how they communicate their stances. A recent

08/25/2026

08/25/2026

What does effective leadership look like in a rapidly changing world? Page Center Awards honoree Kelli Parsons discusses the importance of empathy, resilience and communication's power to bring people together.

Interviewer: Margery Kraus, member of the Page Center advisory boar...

08/18/2026

What should organizations do when stakeholders expect them to speak up on controversial issues but also criticize them for doing so?

Page Center scholars John Balabanis and Georgiana Grigore (Leicester) are exploring the “double bind” of corporate communication during challenging times. The researchers are examining how organizations can navigate competing stakeholder expectations while maintaining trust in polarized environments. Their research will provide insights to help communicators make ethical and strategic decisions when facing complex situations.

Knowing that hostility toward a company’s decisions can escalate into hate and, at times, violence, Page Center scholars John Balabanis and Georgiana Grigore,