Reputation management in the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC) and Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC)

Abstract

This paper delves into the role of reputation management in moulding public perceptions and discussions about entities and their brands, explicitly focusing on the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC) and the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC). The paper employs perception theories as its theoretical backbone to highlight the catastrophic implications of reputation crises through the lens of the US ENRON Corporation's collapse. Utilising a quantitative research approach, the study gathers data through questionnaires to assess various facets of reputation management from respondents’ perspectives, aiming to uncover the organisations' success in achieving their goals, maintaining quality service, and their seriousness towards managing reputation, all measured on a five-point Likert scale. The findings indicate a discernible gap between internal and external perceptions of the organisations' reputation management efforts. This suggests that while internal stakeholders recognise earnest attempts at reputation management, external perceptions lag, pinpointing a communication deficit. The paper calls for a comprehensive strategy in addressing reputation management issues, emphasising the criticality of such efforts for organisational sustainability. Through its exploration of perception theories and quantitative analysis, the study underscores the challenges and strategies in reputation management within the Nigerian context. It offers broader insights for academia and industry practitioners focused on enhancing organisational reputation.