The agenda-setting theory will be useful to explore the impact of the coronavirus discussions in the news media on the audience all over the world. In particular, it will help to explore how international news has influenced the world merchandise trade and, ultimately, the Chinese economy. This theory postulates that the news media do not virtually reflect reality. Instead, the media are capable of elaborating on the new reality, emphasizing the relevance and importance of particular issues, and eventually instilling people with thoughts they should have.
As a result, public attention is drawn to a specific problem, and thus the public opinion and behavior are shaped. Therefore, agenda-setting theory will be useful in studying the formation of public concern and its impact on the Chinese steel industry, financial sector, and manufacturing.
Face-negotiation theory focuses on the concept of self-image and its role in communication between different cultures. Hence, the face-negotiation theory demonstrates how representatives of different cultures manage to preserve their faces in conflict negotiations. Indeed, when one’s face is endangered in a stringent situation, such as the threat of an epidemic, saving or restoring this image becomes a priority. Thus, the face-negotiation theory will be useful to investigate the communication processes between China and other governments and international institutions, as well as the impacts of this dialogue on the Chinese economy.
Groupthink theory will be useful to investigate how irrational decision-making due to panic and fear of epidemic has influenced the Chinese steel industry, financial sector, and manufacturing. This theory explores how “group cohesion” may result in neglecting a sound alternative in favor of the majority opinion (West & Turner, 2018, p. 175). Indeed, the aspiration for cohesiveness within a particular group may cause its members to agree with poor reasoning without critical evaluation. Hence, this theory will help to understand how the unanimous and premature decisions of international institutions and governments have influenced the Chinese economy.
Reference
West, R., & Turner, l. (2018). Introducing communication theory: Analysis and application (6th ed.). Boston, MA: McGraw-Hill Humanities.