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Organizational responses and adaptations after 9‐11

Amy E. Hurley‐Hanson ( George L. Argyros School of Business and Economics, Chapman University, Orange, California, USA)

Management Research News

ISSN: 0140-9174

Article publication date: 1 August 2006

1809

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore whether organizations have increased their crisis response planning in response to the terrorist attacks of 9‐11. While organizations were encouraged to implement crisis response plans or improve their existing plans after the events of 9‐11, there is mixed research on whether firms have taken such actions.

Design/methodology/approach

This study used a survey to explore if the number of firms implementing crisis response plans had increased since 9‐11. The survey also looked at employee perceptions of their company's preparedness for a crisis. By using subjects in New York and California, the survey also explored if there were geographical differences to the crisis response planning which occurred after 9‐11.

Findings

The survey found that firms have not responded as well as researchers and the government had hoped. The survey did find that the west coast firms seem to be responding quicker than the east coast companies.

Research limitations/implications

Limitations of the survey include asking people to recollect the past. Another limitation is not having control over who filled out the survey since the survey was e‐mailed to the executives. The respondents also may have been susceptible to the social desirability bias.

Practical implications

This paper should impress upon organizations the need for an organizational crisis response plan. After the events of 9‐11, Hurricane Katrina has more recently focused attention on how firms were not prepared for a natural crisis and that firms may not be prepared for the Avian Flu.

Originality/value

The value of this paper is that it shows empirically the need for organizations to prepare crisis response plans. Future research should focus on exactly which elements should be included in a firm's crisis response plan.

Keywords

Citation

Hurley‐Hanson, A.E. (2006), "Organizational responses and adaptations after 9‐11", Management Research News, Vol. 29 No. 8, pp. 480-494. https://doi.org/10.1108/01409170610692806

Publisher

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Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2006, Emerald Group Publishing Limited

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