Using Public Relations to Modify Ethics and It`S Legal Framework in an Organization

This study investigated many organisations that have ethics problems even though they have many laws. For example, some managers harass staff because of colour, like threatening a brown employee with a cane or whip and telling a white colleague not to sit with him. Oil companies also have problems like oil spills, corruption and pollution. Public Relations (PR) is supposed to help organisations behave ethically and be the conscience of the organisation, but many companies do not allow PR to do this job. The researcher wanted to know how PR is used to change ethics and legal rules in organisations and compared three types of organisations such as public sector, private sector and oil &gas firms in different countries like USA, UK, Germany, France, Netherlands and Norway. The study employed two different methods. First, 600 people answered a questionnaire, 200 persons from public sector, 200 persons from private sector and 200 respodents from oil and gas companies. Secondly, 45 people were interviewed, 15 from each sector and the study tested 6 ideas. Findings shows PR significantly modifies ethics code, Beta=0. 68, p 0. 001 and legal framework, Beta=0. 62, p 0. 001. The Oil and gas companies exammined shows highest PR influence, mean 4. 05, followed by private sector, 3. 71 and public sector, 3. 52 while F=28. 43, p 0. 001. Hence strong legal frameworks like Equality Act 2010, Title VII, GDPR, FCPA, EITI, CSRD strengthen PR effectiveness, Beta=0. 19. That crisis mediates PR access to dominant coalition, Indirect=0. 21, while low power distance and high individualism culture enable PR ethics role. The study concludede that PR should not just be a communication technician but the ethics counsel and organisational conscience with direct access to the CEO and board. Therefore, should be allowed to change ethics before crisis happens, not after. Law gives liability, but PR gives prevention and that organisations that give PR this role will move from just obeying the law to doing what is right by showing integrity, avoid big fines like $65 billion Deepwater Horizon, and keep trust of employees and communities.