Analysis of communication executives and managers in Spain: Socio-demographic, organizational and attitudinal characteristics from a gender perspective

Abstract

The organizational and attitudinal characteristics of the communications workforce have recently become the subject of an emergent research field in Spain. To date, no studies have been conducted on organization and work processes in the field of corporate communications and public relations, an area that has experienced tremendous growth in recent decades. This article is a socio-psychological analysis of these professionals, from a gender perspective. An online survey, based on a nationwide sample of 190 professionals belonging to the Spanish Association of Communications Executives and Managers (DIRCOM), was conducted from May to September 2014. With low levels of burnout and high levels of engagement, communications executives and managers have a positive opinion of the sector and of their quality of life. Unlike other areas of communications, sex-based horizontal segregation was not detected. However, as in advertising and journalism, vertical segregation was observed.