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

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