The Role of Public Affairs in Asia Pacific

Mary Devereux; Anne Peirson-Smith

doi:10.1108/978-1-83753-722-820252005

The Role of Public Affairs in Asia Pacific

Mary Devereux, Anne Peirson-Smith

School of Design Arts and Creative Industries

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter › peer-review

Abstract

Public affairs and public relations (PR) intersect. They both shape public opinions and influence behavior. Even though they are related disciplines that work toward similar results, there are nuanced differences (Davidson, 2015). Broadly, public affairs (PA) focuses on influencing policy, whereas PR looks after a company’s reputation (Harris & Fleisher, 2005; McGrath et al., 2010).

Public affairs work combines government relations, media communications, issues management, corporate and social responsibility, information dissemination, and strategic communications advice (Public Affairs Networking, 2025; Smith, 2020). Practitioners aim to influence public policy, build and maintain a strong reputation, and find common ground with stakeholders (Fleisher & Blair, 1999; Heath & Vasquez, 2001; Johnston & Glenny, 2020).

Original language	English
Title of host publication	Public Relations in Asia Pacific
Subtitle of host publication	Communicating Effectively Across Cultures
Editors	Mary Devereux, Anne Peirson-Smith
Place of Publication	Leeds, United Kingdom
Publisher	Emerald
Chapter	5
Pages	91-110
Number of pages	20
Edition	2nd
ISBN (Electronic)	9781837537228, 9781837537242
ISBN (Print)	9781837537259
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1108/978-1-83753-722-820252005
Publication status	Published - 9 Dec 2025

Access to Document

10.1108/978-1-83753-722-820252005

11 Chapter
1 Book

Building and Defending Corporate Reputation
Devereux, M. & Peirson-Smith, A., 9 Dec 2025, Public Relations in Asia Pacific: Communicating Effectively Across Cultures. Devereux, M. & Peirson-Smith, A. (eds.). 2nd ed. Leeds, United Kingdom: Emerald, p. 71-90 20 p.
Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter › peer-review
Communicating with Audiences and Stakeholders
Devereux, M. & Peirson-Smith, A., 9 Dec 2025, Public Relations in Asia Pacific: Communicating Effectively Across Cultures. Devereux, M. & Peirson-Smith, A. (eds.). 2nd ed. Leeds, United Kingdom: Emerald, p. 49-70 22 p.
Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter › peer-review
Consumer PR
Devereux, M. & Peirson-Smith, A., 9 Dec 2025, Public Relations in Asia Pacific: Communicating Effectively Across Cultures. Devereux, M. & Peirson-Smith, A. (eds.). 2nd ed. Leeds, United Kingdom: Emerald, p. 189-228 40 p.
Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter › peer-review

Cite this

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title = "The Role of Public Affairs in Asia Pacific",

abstract = "Public affairs and public relations (PR) intersect. They both shape public opinions and influence behavior. Even though they are related disciplines that work toward similar results, there are nuanced differences (Davidson, 2015). Broadly, public affairs (PA) focuses on influencing policy, whereas PR looks after a company{\textquoteright}s reputation (Harris \& Fleisher, 2005; McGrath et al., 2010). Public affairs work combines government relations, media communications, issues management, corporate and social responsibility, information dissemination, and strategic communications advice (Public Affairs Networking, 2025; Smith, 2020). Practitioners aim to influence public policy, build and maintain a strong reputation, and find common ground with stakeholders (Fleisher \& Blair, 1999; Heath \& Vasquez, 2001; Johnston \& Glenny, 2020).",

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N2 - Public affairs and public relations (PR) intersect. They both shape public opinions and influence behavior. Even though they are related disciplines that work toward similar results, there are nuanced differences (Davidson, 2015). Broadly, public affairs (PA) focuses on influencing policy, whereas PR looks after a company’s reputation (Harris & Fleisher, 2005; McGrath et al., 2010). Public affairs work combines government relations, media communications, issues management, corporate and social responsibility, information dissemination, and strategic communications advice (Public Affairs Networking, 2025; Smith, 2020). Practitioners aim to influence public policy, build and maintain a strong reputation, and find common ground with stakeholders (Fleisher & Blair, 1999; Heath & Vasquez, 2001; Johnston & Glenny, 2020).

AB - Public affairs and public relations (PR) intersect. They both shape public opinions and influence behavior. Even though they are related disciplines that work toward similar results, there are nuanced differences (Davidson, 2015). Broadly, public affairs (PA) focuses on influencing policy, whereas PR looks after a company’s reputation (Harris & Fleisher, 2005; McGrath et al., 2010). Public affairs work combines government relations, media communications, issues management, corporate and social responsibility, information dissemination, and strategic communications advice (Public Affairs Networking, 2025; Smith, 2020). Practitioners aim to influence public policy, build and maintain a strong reputation, and find common ground with stakeholders (Fleisher & Blair, 1999; Heath & Vasquez, 2001; Johnston & Glenny, 2020).

U2 - 10.1108/978-1-83753-722-820252005

DO - 10.1108/978-1-83753-722-820252005

M3 - Chapter

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BT - Public Relations in Asia Pacific

A2 - Devereux, Mary

A2 - Peirson-Smith, Anne

PB - Emerald

CY - Leeds, United Kingdom

ER -

The Role of Public Affairs in Asia Pacific

Abstract

Access to Document

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Research output

Building and Defending Corporate Reputation

Communicating with Audiences and Stakeholders

Consumer PR

Cite this