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1 – 10 of over 58000David Pollard and Sabine Hotho
The aim of this exploratory paper is to consider the strategic importance of crisis management and integration of crisis planning with the organisation's strategy processes, in…
Abstract
Purpose
The aim of this exploratory paper is to consider the strategic importance of crisis management and integration of crisis planning with the organisation's strategy processes, in particular the utilisation of scenario planning as a crisis planning activity.
Design/methodology/approach
A review of the crisis management literature was undertaken and key issues identified, subsequently strategic aspects of crisis management were developed in the context of scenario planning.
Findings
The paper contains a discussion of major factors related to a strategic approach to crisis management and a more proactive approach to building relationships with the media. Particular attention should be given to the roles and responses of the media and agencies acting on behalf of the company, as both should been treated in the same way as other relatively powerful stakeholders. The authors suggest that firms can obtain significant advantages through proactive preparation for major relevant contingencies, and its incorporation into the strategic management process.
Originality/value
This paper brings together the debate on the strategic position of crisis management with scenario planning processes to provide a mechanism for designing, evaluating and managing crisis futures. It should prove useful to managers considering the development of crisis management, especially in a strategic context.
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Carolina Acedo Darbonnens and Malgorzata Zurawska
Crisis management (CM) has gained prominence in the last decades, as the complex global business environment has forced executives to pay attention to practices that may safeguard…
Abstract
Crisis management (CM) has gained prominence in the last decades, as the complex global business environment has forced executives to pay attention to practices that may safeguard organizations against potential crises. However, despite the fact that various scholars point to the need for autonomy and delegation of authority when responding to crises, it appears that the overarching rationale in the crisis literature is geared toward a centralized approach. This suggests that preventive actions and response to crises lie mainly with the leader of the organization and with designated crises teams. It is also apparent that this literature places too much weight on contingency plans and classification schemes. Although behavioral factors have been discussed by some authors as a fundamental element in dealing with crises, it is not clear how to develop these traits. It is our contention then that these conventional perspectives, although valuable to CM, are insufficient to deal with the uncertainty that characterizes global business today where firms must be prepared for the unexpected. We discuss the limitations of this traditional approach and argue for a combination of central control with decentralized execution when responding to unexpected crises situations. This enables management to better comprehend the complexity embedded in any crisis and allows adaptive practices to emerge throughout the organization. An analysis of two cases paired with empirical field studies support our proposition.
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The purpose of this paper is to present a model to explain a business contingency process to senior management and other employees in organizations during education or training on…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to present a model to explain a business contingency process to senior management and other employees in organizations during education or training on business continuity planning.
Design/methodology/approach
The model has been developed and evaluated/tested in three comprehensive cases. Senior management, IT managers and employees in the three case organizations participated in this action research effort during the development, implementation, education or training on business continuity plans and planning.
Findings
The model has been evaluated/tested, and is suitable for explaining what may characterize a business contingency process to senior managements and employees in both public and private sector organizations.
Practical implications
The model can be used for explaining the issues to senior management and to form the fundament for building a business continuity plan which is part of an organization's IT and information security program. It may also be used to explain what a business contingency process is to other staff in an organization. The model can also be used to model parts of business continuity planning, as a basis for training planning, and as support in different training contexts to achieve individual and organizational learning on business continuity plans and activities.
Originality/value
The model is graphically visualized and the concept can be adapted to any organization.
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Stanley J. Smits and Niveen Ezzat Ally
Even highly competitive, successful organizations face crisis, defined as “a low‐probability, high‐impact event that threatens the viability of the organization and is…
Abstract
Even highly competitive, successful organizations face crisis, defined as “a low‐probability, high‐impact event that threatens the viability of the organization and is characterized by ambiguity of cause, effect, and means of resolution, as well as by a belief that decisions must be made swiftly” (Pearson & Clair, 1998; p. 60.). This paper describes the challenges facing leaders and managers attempting to prepare their organizations to engage in effective crisis management. The paper contends that when behavioral readiness is absent, crisis management effectiveness is a matter of chance. The behavioral model draws salient contributions from role theory, learning theory, and multilevel theory and applies them to the body of crisis management theory developed over the past two decades by Mitroff and his associates as well as the recent work of Pearson and Carr (1998). Five propositions are developed and implications for research and practice are presented.
This paper outlines the new approach to crisis management, as forming an integral part of business contingency planning. Crisis management is no longer primarily a function of the…
Abstract
This paper outlines the new approach to crisis management, as forming an integral part of business contingency planning. Crisis management is no longer primarily a function of the corporate communication department. To address effectively the variety of risks and complex issues that corporations face today, crisis management must be mandated from the top of the organisation and driven and implemented by all key business functions jointly. Crisis management needs a corporate custodian that ensures plans and skills are up to date throughout the organisation. Processes must be established, and tools that facilitate and speed up crisis response are critical.
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Alexander Kouzmin, Alan M. G. Jarman and Uriel Rosenthal
Discusses the efficiency of disaster management policies andprogrammes in Australia. Argues that there are long‐standingdeficiencies in strategic and operational planning and…
Abstract
Discusses the efficiency of disaster management policies and programmes in Australia. Argues that there are long‐standing deficiencies in strategic and operational planning and forecasting approaches. Urges more co‐operation and co‐ordination between the various emergency services. Discusses the development of terrestrial and space technologies which could be used in disaster management.
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Ananya Bhattacharya, Ambika Zutshi and Ali Bavik
This paper aims to propose a “Four-F (finding facts, fostering alternates, fulfilling implementation and feasibility testing)” action plan to global food service businesses (FSB…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to propose a “Four-F (finding facts, fostering alternates, fulfilling implementation and feasibility testing)” action plan to global food service businesses (FSB) such as restaurants (dine-in/take away) to build resilience during times of global crises. The 2019 Coronavirus disease and FSBs apply as working examples elaborating the proposed Four-F action plan with several managerial implications for the internal and external stakeholders of FSBs.
Design/methodology/approach
The method involves reviewing and coding 108 articles using the PRISMA approach, then applying findings to develop the Four-F action plan integrating multiple theoretical concepts (such as stakeholder, crisis management and dynamic capabilities).
Findings
There are two key findings. First, though all four crisis phases should be considered by decision-makers as part of their contingency planning process, the pre and post-crisis stages need higher attention. Second, the Four-F action plan provides specific recommendations to FSBs stakeholders (consumers, suppliers and government) for each crisis phase (pre-crisis, crisis emergence, crisis occurrence and post-crisis).
Originality/value
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first paper that has incorporated multiple theoretical frameworks (stakeholder theory, crisis management and dynamic capabilities) within the FSBs context and provided the Four-F action plan for decision-makers to understand and manage crisis phases.
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Abdul Gani, Ramjit Singh and Ashaq Hussain Najar
This study aims to explore the preparedness and the recovery/rebuilding activities or strategies adopted by the respondents during the phases of natural disaster/crisis in Jammu…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to explore the preparedness and the recovery/rebuilding activities or strategies adopted by the respondents during the phases of natural disaster/crisis in Jammu and Kashmir and Assam, India.
Design/methodology/approach
The qualitative research design was chosen for the study. The interview method was adopted in the present research. The respondents were selected purposefully from the representatives of tourism organizations/destinations management organizations and emergency organizations, i.e. disaster management and hotels experienced by natural disasters, i.e. flood 2014 in Kashmir valley 2019 in Assam states of India.
Findings
Moderate level of preparedness among the tourism organizations, tourism businesses such as hotels leaves implications for them to enhance the disaster or crisis resilient community. The preparedness programs, efficient social media, communications strategies and development of tourist destinations-specific disaster-related crisis management plans were suggested to enhance disaster resilience.
Originality/value
The present study is widely contributing to the theory of the vital concepts of crisis management at tourism destinations. This study suggests the practical implications for and suggestions to the industry practitioners, government agencies and researchers to rebuild the tourist destinations from the disaster/crisis and enhance global resilience.
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Augustine Pang, Fritz Cropp and Glen T. Cameron
Crisis planning, which symbolizes an organization's crisis preparedness and often conceptualized at the corporate headquarters, is increasingly decentralized to regional centers…
Abstract
Purpose
Crisis planning, which symbolizes an organization's crisis preparedness and often conceptualized at the corporate headquarters, is increasingly decentralized to regional centers of global companies. These centers, in turn, synchronize their crisis master plans with its national units for expeditious management of localized crises. The purpose of this paper is to capture the decision‐making processes that practitioners at a regional center faced as they nurtured their master plan from conception to implementation.
Design/methodology/approach
The qualitative method is used. This is a case study of a Fortune 500 company with plants in every continent. The company has four regional centers, and the center under study oversees more than 20 national units or countries.
Findings
This study found a deep divide in attitude, expectation, and style between what practitioners and the dominant coalition regarded as necessary and sufficient measures in crisis planning.
Research limitations/implications
Restricted access to more interviewees.
Practical implications
Studies like this, grounded in the practitioner's world, add rich layers of context to understanding how theory and practice can integrate. Given that in this study, corporate communications has been found to be regarded as an auxiliary, rather than ancillary, function in this study, this paper offers practical tips on what practitioners can do to transform organizational perception.
Originality/value
Such studies are rare because of the lack of accessibility to data. Practitioners are hesitant to grant access because of the highly sensitive nature of this topic, for fear of reprisals from their organizations, and an inadvertent revelation of organizational privacy and secrets.
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Elvira Kaneberg, Susanne Hertz and Leif-Magnus Jensen
The purpose of this paper is to understand the needs of the supply-chain (SC) network when coping with permanent and temporary demands, this paper analyzes the Swedish emergency…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to understand the needs of the supply-chain (SC) network when coping with permanent and temporary demands, this paper analyzes the Swedish emergency preparedness SC network. This network comprises planning procedures and resources, as well as numerous organizations and other participants in civil society that take part in the system to cope with threats and ongoing crises. Planning constitutes a critical infrastructure because the system must develop the ability to shift SC functions from permanent to temporary networks in ongoing crises and war.
Design/methodology/approach
A research study is performed based on data gathered by three qualitative methods concerning the SC network of emergency preparedness planning.
Findings
This study demonstrates the relevance of a wide empirical field challenging several theoretical perspectives of the SC network in preparedness planning and the shift to ongoing crises. Further research targeting key capabilities is needed to further improve understanding of the challenges for developed countries in managing potential threats and crises.
Originality/value
Actors taking part in the preparedness system have found it challenging to coordinate. Due, in part, to the lack of a common threat profile, key capabilities remain outside preparedness planning, e.g., military, commercial and voluntary actors as well as unclear and inconsistent regulations. Thus, building the SC network demonstrates the need to target the military, the voluntary and commercial sectors and their ability to develop the networks in preparedness planning. In a reformed system, all actors must strengthen civil defense in an all-hazard approach, which in planning encompasses the entire threat scale, demonstrating key functions and the ability to shift to temporary networks responding to ongoing crises, including war.
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