Abstract:

In this article we analyzed the Volkswagen emission crisis which occured global level and the public relations practices applied by Volkswagen to protect instutional reputation in crisis management. This issue is an important and scientific case study that has become a major issue today when unethical behaviors, corporate culture and image is gained importance again. Also, how the public relation and crisis communication are applied examined by the help of Benoit’s image restoration theory between the research period of 23.09.2015 and 23.10.2017 by crisis news how many times had published by Hürriyet, Sabah and Dünya newspapers which are representing the mainstream media with the most circulation in Turkey through the contents of these news were discussed. These news are seen as examples of Public Relations practices such as bi-directional, transparency, apology, explanation, crisis-taking and Single-voice analyzed with the help of Benoit’s image restoration theory. Within the scope of the review, the approach of Volkswagen's central management and Turkish Distributor Doğuş Otomotiv to Public Relations practices in crisis management is also analyzed.

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