Mary Ann Ferguson

Professor/Graduate Coordinator | University of Florida

Gainesville, FL, UNITED STATES

Mary Ann Ferguson is an expert in applied communication research methods.

Biography

Mary Ann Ferguson teaches public relations research methods, ethics and social responsibility, and corporate social responsibility in the Public Relations Department of the College of Journalism and Communications. She is an expert in applied communication research methods. Mary Ann has directed many large-scale social evaluation research and needs assessment projects on tobacco, gambling, environmental health, health communication and disaster planning.

Areas of Expertise (15)

Experimental Applied Research Methods

Ethics/Professional Responsibility

Applied Research and Evaluation

Corporate Social Responsibility

Public Relations Campaign

Public Relations Research

Content Analysis Methods

Survey Research Methods

Strategic Communication

Public Relations Strategy

Communication Strategy

Communication Ethics

Audience Research

Strategic Planning

Social Advocacy

Articles (3)

How CEO Social Media Disclosure and Gender Affect Perceived CEO Attributes, Relationship Investment, and Engagement Intention

Journalism & Mass Communication Quarterly

Mary Ann Ferguson, et al.

2020-08-24

How does a chief executive officer’s social media content disclosure on Twitter affect perceived CEO attributes, relationship investment, and public engagement, and to what extent does the CEO’s gender moderate how publics evaluate content disclosures? Results showed that posts that featured high personal disclosure did not increase the perceived likability or competence of the CEO. Nor did CEO gender impact these outcomes.

Examining the Effects of Internal Communication and Emotional Culture on Employees’ Organizational Identification

International Journal of Business Communication

Mary Ann Ferguson, et al.

2020-03-31

As one of the first empirical attempts investigating the emerging role of positive emotional culture within organizations, the study examined how a symmetrical internal communication system and leaders’ use of motivating language contribute to fostering a positive emotional culture featured by joy, companionate love, pride, and gratitude.

Toward effective CSR communication in controversial industry sectors

Journal of Marketing Communications

Baobao Song, Jing Wen, Mary Ann Ferguson

2018-10-08

This study is aimed to unveil the effects of philanthropic corporate social responsibility programs on consumers’ perceptions toward corporate social responsibility communication from corporations in ‘issue-riddled’ controversial industries, compared to noncontroversial industries. The study finds that corporate reputation interacts with industry sector to influence consumers’ attitude and behavioral intention.

Media

Publications Photos Videos Documents Audio/Podcasts