The terrorism threat and managing workplaces

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present research findings on how the threat of terrorism to Australia affects managers and employees in workplaces in a large city. It investigates the various workplace impacts of the terrorist threat and examines how this affects organizational efficiency and effectiveness and employee wellbeing.

Design/methodology/approach

A literature review of the impact of the terrorist threat to workplaces is presented using academic research and journalistic commentary. This review informs research collected in seven organizations via in‐depth interviews of 40 minutes length conducted with staff and management in the administrative, legal, retail, sporting and services sectors. In total, 55 interviews were conducted with an additional 50 respondents who were unavailable for interviews completing surveys.

Findings

A number of significant negative impacts of the threat of terrorism on Melbourne workplaces are identified. The most significant were workplace discrimination and diversity management, cultural change to be security oriented, and increased occupational stress.

Research limitations/implications

The sample population for the research is quite small so the conclusions cannot be considered generalizable. Rather, the research represents specific cases where the impacts are felt and, as such, may exist in other sectors and cities. The results are highly concerning and suggest that terrorism has a detrimental effect at work and on life.

Practical implications

The findings can assist organizations in preparing management responses and actions in preventing the negative impacts of the threat of terrorism.

Originality/value

Research of this kind is extremely limited yet of the highest importance to organizations in large cities.

Citation

Howie, L. (2007), "The terrorism threat and managing workplaces", Disaster Prevention and Management, Vol. 16 No. 1, pp. 70-78. https://doi.org/10.1108/09653560710729820