The Influence of Social Media on Public Relations as a Reinforcement of Higher Education Reputation

Authors

  • Ahmad Fauzi Universitas Islam Zainul Hasan Genggong, Indonesia
  • M. Aqil Fahmi Sanjani Universitas Islam Negeri Maulana Malik Ibrahim Malang, Indonesia
  • Abdul Wahid Zaini Sekolah Tinggi Agama Islam Raden Abdullah Yaqin, Indonesia
  • Musammil Lateh Hatyai University, Thailand

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.52627/managere.v7i1.650

Keywords:

Social Media Governance, Public Relation, Reputation Management

Abstract

This study aims to analyze the role of social media in public relations management in Islamic higher education institutions with a focus on ethical governance and use, strategic platform utilization, and its impact on institutional reputation. As digital communication becomes increasingly important in higher education, universities must adapt to this trend by implementing strategies that align with institutional values ​​and effectively meet the needs of their stakeholders. This study explores social media management practices using a qualitative approach and a case study method. Data was collected through interviews with students, lecturers, and staff, as well as analysis of documentation of social media platforms used by the university. The results show that ethical governance and the use of social media have strengthened institutional communication by aligning published content with Islamic values ​​and ethics. Strategically, the institution has utilized various platforms, including Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube, to target specific audiences and increase engagement. The impact on reputation is evident in the increase in public interaction and positive perceptions despite the potential risks arising from irrelevant or untimely content. This study is expected to contribute to understanding effective social media governance in higher education institutions, emphasizing the importance of ethical practices, strategic content delivery, and reputation management.

References

Adams, C., Pente, P., Lemermeyer, G., & Rockwell, G. (2023). Ethical Principles for Artificial Intelligence in K-12 Education. Computers and Education: Artificial Intelligence, 4(4), 4221–4241. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.caeai.2023.100131

Ataman, A., Baharun, H., & Safitri, S. D. (2024). Exploring Complementary Leadership Styles in Madrasahs by Aiming at Their Impact on Integrity and Character Development. Business and Applied Management Journal, 1(2), 118–133.

Barrot, J. S. (2022). Social Media as a Language Learning Environment: A Systematic Review of the Literature (2008-2019). Computer Assisted Language Learning, 35(9), 2534–2562. https://doi.org/10.1080/09588221.2021.1883673

Briner, S., & Reed, N. (2024). Integrating Social Media Advertising into Giving Day Fundraising. Journal of Education Advancement & Marketing, 8(4), 345. https://doi.org/10.69554/mprp9587

Capriotti, P., & Zeler, I. (2023). Analysing Effective Social Media Communication in Higher Education Institutions. Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, 10(1), 1–13. https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-023-02187-8

Chaudhari, P., & Awesh Bhornya, M. (2022). A Study on the Use of Social Media Platforms by Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). Journal of Positive School Psychology, 2022(4), 10574–10589.

Ding, Y., Jin, M., Li, S., & Feng, D. (2021). Smart Logistics Based on the Internet of Things Technology: An Overview. International Journal of Logistics Research and Applications, 24(4), 323–345. https://doi.org/10.1080/13675567.2020.1757053

Doyle, J. P., Su, Y., & Kunkel, T. (2022). Athlete Branding via Social Media: Examining the Factors Influencing Consumer Engagement on Instagram. European Sport Management Quarterly, 22(4), 506–526. https://doi.org/10.1080/16184742.2020.1806897

Drezner, N. D., & Pizmony-Levy, O. (2021). I Belong, Therefore, I Give? The Impact of Sense of Belonging on Graduate Student Alumni Engagement. Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector Quarterly, 50(4), 753–777. https://doi.org/10.1177/0899764020977687

Fraccastoro, S., Gabrielsson, M., & Pullins, E. B. (2021). The Integrated Use of Social Media, Digital, and Traditional Communication Tools in the B2B Sales Process of International SMEs. International Business Review, 30(4), 101776. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ibusrev.2020.101776

Hidayat, M. N. F., Baharun, H., Aisyah, E. N., Zaini, A. W., Sanjani, M. A. F., & Hasanah, R. (2024). Bridging the Digital Divide: The Role of Public Relations in Enhancing Digital Inclusivity. 2024 10th International Conference on Education and Technology (ICET), 59–66.

Infante, A., & Mardikaningsih, R. (2022). The Potential of Social Media as a Means of Online Business Promotion. Journal of Social Science Studies (JOS3), 2(2), 45–49. https://doi.org/10.56348/jos3.v2i2.26

Köhler, T. (2024). Multilevel Qualitative Research: Insights from Practice. European Management Journal, 42(4), 503–514. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.emj.2024.03.011

Lee, F. L. F., Liang, H., Cheng, E. W., Tang, G. K. Y., & Yuen, S. (2022). Affordances, Movement Dynamics, and a Centralized Digital Communication Platform in a Networked Movement. Information Communication and Society, 25(12), 1699–1716. https://doi.org/10.1080/1369118X.2021.1877772

Lee, Y. (2021). Bridging Employee Advocacy in Anonymous Social Media and Internal Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). Management Decision, 59(10), 2473–2495. https://doi.org/10.1108/MD-01-2020-0101

Malesev, S., & Cherry, M. (2021). Digital and Social Media Marketing-Growing Market Share for Construction SMEs. Construction Economics and Building, 21(1), 65–82. https://doi.org/10.5130/AJCEB.v21i1.7521

Maulidia, M. (2023). Enhancing Educational Impact: Exploring Effective Media and Public Relations Techniques in Educational Institutions. Ar-Rosikhun: Jurnal Manajemen Pendidikan Islam, 2(3), 214–225.

Mishnick, N., & Wise, D. (2024). Social Media Engagement: An Analysis of the Impact of Social Media Campaigns on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. International Journal of Technology in Education, 7(3), 535–549. https://doi.org/10.46328/ijte.699

Musenze, I. A., & Mayende, T. S. (2023). Ethical Leadership (EL) and Innovative Work Behavior (IWB) in Public Universities: Examining the Moderating Role of Perceived Organizational Support (POS). Management Research Review, 46(5), 682–701. https://doi.org/10.1108/MRR-12-2021-0858

Obermayer, N., Kővári, E., Leinonen, J., Bak, G., & Valeri, M. (2022). How Social Media Practices Shape Family Business Performance: The Wine Industry Case Study. European Management Journal, 40(3), 360–371. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.emj.2021.08.003

Poluan, M. S., Pasuhuk, L. S., & Mandagi, D. W. (2022). The Role of Social Media Marketing in Local Government. Jurnal Ekonomi, 11(03), 1268–1279.

Reisach, U. (2021). The Responsibility of Social Media in Times of Societal and Political Manipulation. European Journal of Operational Research, 291(3), 906–917. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejor.2020.09.020

Ridlo, M. H., & Yanti, L. S. (2023). Investigating the Holistic Management in Increasing Graduates' Competence in Madrasa Based on Pesantren. Pedagogik: Jurnal Pendidikan, 10(2), 226–239.

Rukavina, T. V., Viskić, J., Poplašen, L. M., Relić, D., Marelić, M., Jokic, D., & Sedak, K. (2021). Dangers and Benefits of Social Media on E-Professionalism of Health Care Professionals: Scoping Review. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 23(11), e25770. https://doi.org/10.2196/25770

Samala, A. D., Rawas, S., Criollo-C, S., Fortuna, A., Feng, X., Prasetya, F., Uluçay, N. Ö., Jaya, P., & Hidayat, R. (2024). Social Media in Education: Trends, Roles, Challenges, and Opportunities for Digital-Native Generations–A Systematic Literature Review. Asian Journal of University Education, 20(3), 524–539.

Savitri, C., Hurriyati, R., Wibowo, L. A., & Hendrayati, H. (2021). The Role of Social Media Marketing and Brand Image on Smartphone Purchase Intention. International Journal of Data and Network Science, 6(1), 185–192. https://doi.org/10.5267/J.IJDNS.2021.9.009

Setyowati, W., Widayanti, R., & Supriyanti, D. (2021). Implementation of E-Business Information System in Indonesia: Prospects and Challenges. International Journal of Cyber and IT Service Management, 1(2), 180–188. https://doi.org/10.34306/ijcitsm.v1i2.49

Szymkowiak, A., Melović, B., Dabić, M., Jeganathan, K., & Kundi, G. S. (2021). Information Technology and Gen Z: The Role of Teachers, the Internet, and Technology in the Education of Young People. Technology in Society, 65, 101565. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techsoc.2021.101565

Vivar, J. M. F., & Peñalvo, F. J. G. (2023). Reflections on the Ethics, Potential, and Challenges of Artificial Intelligence in the Framework of Quality Education (SDG4). Comunicar, 30(74), 35–44. https://doi.org/10.3916/C74-2023-03

Williams, H. (2021). The Meaning of “Phenomenology”: Qualitative and Philosophical Phenomenological Research Methods. Qualitative Report, 26(2), 366–385. https://doi.org/10.46743/2160-3715/2021.4587

Downloads

Published

2025-04-24

How to Cite

Ahmad Fauzi, Sanjani, M. A. F., Abdul Wahid Zaini, & Lateh, M. (2025). The Influence of Social Media on Public Relations as a Reinforcement of Higher Education Reputation. Managere: Indonesian Journal of Educational Management, 7(1), 91–101. https://doi.org/10.52627/managere.v7i1.650

Issue

Section

Articles