The Reaction pp to ppφ and the Validity of the OZI Rule

The reaction $pp \to pp \phi$ is investigated within a relativistic meson-exchange model of hadronic interactions. The possibility of extracting the $NN\phi$ coupling constant from a study of this process is explored. A combined analysis of $\omega-$ and $\phi$-meson production in proton-proton collisions utilizing recent data on these reactions is carried out and yields values for $g_{NN\phi}$ that are compatible with the OZI rule.