Abstract
This chapter offers a longitudinal study on the financing of public relations projects through the State Plans for Scientific and Technical Research and of Innovation between the years 2013 and 2020. This is a descriptive paper, whose main object is to analyze the research evolution executed in the discipline of public relations via the latest State Plans for Scientific and Technical Research and of Innovation. The conclusions of the chapter reveal that in the last year the granting of research aid has increased substantially. Within the set of communication, public relations are still the most relevant topic receiving priority attention in research.
TopIntroduction
This paper offers a longitudinal study on the financing of public relations projects through the State Plans for Scientific and Technical Research and of Innovation between the years 2013 and 2020. This study is intended to inform researchers in the field of Communication, and more specifically in public relations, in the subject of possible lines of research that can be financed by the aforementioned plan through the State Programs R+D+i of Generation of Knowledge and Oriented to the Challenges of the Society.
This is a descriptive paper, whose main object is to analyze the research evolution executed in the discipline of public relations via the latest State Plans for Scientific and Technical Research and of Innovation. The analysis describes the field of research in which the projects are developed, the representativeness and evolution in relation to other thematic areas and subareas, and the institutions that lead the research financed in public relations.
The conclusions of the paper reveal that in the last year the granting of research aid has increased substantially. The area of social sciences has presented a medium level of participation in terms of the amount of aid received, placing the subarea of communication in second position after sociology, with numbers similar to geography and higher than those of political science. Within the set of communication, public relations are still the most relevant topic receiving priority attention in research.
It must be taken into account that public relations present a relatively recent autonomous theoretical development. Initially they were considered a part of journalism and related, mainly, to the protocol and organization of events. Notwithstanding this theoretical youth of public relations, research constitutes a fundamental tool for the advancement of this subject, whose birth and initial evolution are linked to a purely professional field. Considering this background, the research allows this discipline to find an area of clear and identifiable recognition by communication professionals (Olea & Román, 2011).
Nevertheless, in Spain one of the main sources of funding for scientific research is articulated through scientific research plans, the aforementioned plans are the denominated State Plans for Scientific and Technical Research and Innovation.
Finally, it is considered that this research can be a reference to delve into the thematic areas and subareas in which a greater quantity of research projects are being awarded, as well as to determine the existing trends in the communication subarea and in the field of public relations in R+D+i in Spain in recent years
Key Terms in this Chapter
R+D+i: They are the ones that define Research, plus Development, plus Technological Innovation. Therefore, this concept involves these three phases from when the idea is generated until the innovation is carried out.
Sub Area: These are the parts into which the thematic areas are divided. In the case of the State Research Agency, there are 54 sub-areas in total.
Knowledge Generation Program: Specific program belonging to the state plans that includes aid for R+D+i, which are granted through competitive calls. This program tries to adapt the objectives and aid instruments to the needs of the Spanish Science, Technology and Innovation System and its main agents.
State Research Agency: Is a national agency of Spain whose objective is to promote scientific and technical research in all areas of knowledge. To this end, it allocates public resources, and monitors the actions financed and their impact, as well as advice on action planning.
Thematic Area: Identifies and groups processes related to a logical area of the organization in which knowledge is accumulated and developed. The State Research Agency is divided into 19 thematic areas, which are further divided into sub areas.
State Plan for R+D+i: It is the main instrument of the General Administration of the State in Spain for the development and achievement of the objectives of the Spanish Strategy for Science and Technology and Innovation.
Descriptor: Short and significant word that describes the content of an investigation. Said descriptor is included in a document from the State Research Agency that combines the descriptors of the thematic areas.
Research Challenges: Specific program belonging to the state plans that includes aid for R+D+i, which are granted through competitive calls. This program tries to define national R+D+i policies prioritizing and promoting research that is oriented towards the great challenges or problems of society.