Date of Graduation
2016
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Type
MA
College
Eberly College of Arts and Sciences
Department
Sociology and Anthropology
Committee Chair
Joshua Woods
Committee Co-Chair
Katie Corcoran
Committee Member
Lawrence Nichols
Abstract
The National Football League (NFL) is a multi-billion-dollar organization that is constantly utilizing impression management techniques to craft its public image. Currently, the NFL is embroiled in what many refer to as the "concussion crisis." When the NFL discusses this issue, one of the most common impression management techniques used is framing and accounts. This research brings together these two concepts to study this issue. I have analyzed a sample of press releases from the NFL using qualitative content analysis. From this, I have found and defined some common frames used, when they are used, and then used accounts research to determine why. The purpose of this study is to detail how the NFL uses organizational impression management strategies, while also extending both the framing and accounts literature.
Recommended Citation
Anton, Mel, "Protecting the Shield: How the NFL frames an organizational crisis" (2016). Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports. 5115.
https://researchrepository.wvu.edu/etd/5115