An Ounce of Prevention: What Promotes Crisis Readiness and How Does It Drive Firm Performance?

Organizations develop crisis readiness to avoid and mitigate crises. This study investigates several factors that influence crisis readiness, including market dynamism, perceived likelihood of a crisis (PLC), and firm size. It also evaluates the impact of crisis readiness on firm performance. Results from a PLS-SEM assessment of 301 managers in the United States suggest that market dynamism drives firm performance while heightening both PLC and crisis readiness. When compared to large organizations, managers in small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) reported higher PLC but lower crisis readiness, underscoring the challenges faced by small firms regarding crisis preparation. Crisis readiness was also positively linked to both financial and non-financial performance. The model tested in this study supports the influence of external and organizational factors on crisis preparation, as well as subsequent links with firm performance.

Crisis preparedness of hospitality managers: evidence from Malaysia

PurposeCrisis planning and improvements to business resilience are increasingly significant aspects of hotel management. This study investigates the crisis preparation of hotel managers in Malaysia and how their perceptions affect crisis planning and preparation.Design/methodology/approachA qualitative research method of semi-structured interviews with 24 hospitality managers in Malaysia was conducted. Data were analysed thematically using ATLAS.ti software, version 8.FindingsThe findings showed that crisis preparation among Malaysian hospitality firms is relatively neglected. Hotel crisis preparation schemes are greatly influenced by senior managers' intentions and organizational culture. Organizational resilience also has a significant role in hotel crisis planning and preparedness. Interestingly, in terms of long-term adaptation, hotels were less inclined to be “learning organizations” and managers were reluctant to change their organizational established structures, core beliefs and practice sustained resiliency in crisis preparation.Practical implicationsUnderstanding the crisis preparation of hospitality managers is important to develop effective strategies for different crises considering their severity and urgency. This study identified influential organizational and personal factors which affect crisis preparation of hospitality managers in Malaysia. The study further recommends a proactive mindset in crisis preparation of hotels.Originality/valueCrisis preparation of hospitality managers had received limited attention, and this study highlights how managers consider crisis planning and preparation.

Managing Risk in School Crisis Intervention

This chapter reports findings from a study of school leader perspectives on crisis preparedness. The context for the study is a sample of school superintendents in the southwest region of the United States. Interviews were conducted with four school superintendents to gather insights into mainly organizational norms, policy, and planning related to crisis preparation. This chapter seeks to add insight into what leaders perceive as preparation for potential crises and to critically assess the demands and obligations set forth through state legislative policy. Furthermore, the authors explore myriad leadership challenges to maintaining public confidence and maximizing the safety of children. Recommendations for leaders to engage in reframing of their positionality with respect to crises and a model for engaging parents and community in assessing risks and threats are offered.

Crisis Perception, Experience, and Preparedness among Managers in Ghana

Research about organizations and possible crisis events that may affect their operations or have negative consequences is wide-ranging. Recommendations include establishing crisis management plans and developing alternatives to deal with potential disasters. Most of the crisis management literature focuses on large businesses in developed countries. This study surveys the perceptions, preparedness, and involvement concerning crisis occurrences among managers in Ghana, an emerging nation. Initial findings suggest indigenous Ghanaian managers recognize the need for crisis preparation, but at the same time, may not invest the time, energy, and resources that are needed to be prepared. This study shows that Ghanaian firms with foreign ownership or control have in place crisis management policies typically found within large international businesses. This paper outlines the crisis management background and literature, presents the situation in Ghana, and reports on the survey conducted in Ghana. Our suggestions should assist managers of indigenous firms in Ghana.

Preparation or Provocation? Student Perceptions of Active Shooter Drills

Several highly publicized incidents of school violence in the past two decades have highlighted the importance of school safety and crisis preparation for students, parents, and school administrators. Although prior research has focused on the effectiveness of various security and crisis preparation measures, few studies have analyzed student perceptions of these policies. This study utilizes survey data collected from students at a public university in the southwestern United States to evaluate whether active shooter drills experienced in high school were related to negative student outcomes. Results show that experiencing an active shooter drill in high school was associated with significant increases in student fear, inflated perceptions of risk, and a decrease in perceptions of school safety. Implications for future research and policy initiatives regarding active shooter drills are discussed, specifically the need for increased transparency, standardization of drills, and addressing effective methods of implementing active shooter drills in schools.

Sensemaking questions in crisis response teams

Purpose When a crisis strikes, responders need to make sense of it to gain an understanding of its origins, nature and implications. In this way, crisis sensemaking guides the implementation of the response. The purpose of this paper is to focus on the sensemaking questions that responders need to address for achieving effective and efficient crisis management. Design/methodology/approach Data are drawn from six exercises, in which teams of professionals from different crisis organizations were confronted with two terrorist attacks. Just like in real incidents, these professionals convened in tactical response teams and formulated their response collectively. Findings The exercises demonstrate that crisis responders do not just have to make sense of the crisis, but also of their own roles and actions. They raise and address three sensemaking questions: What is happening in this crisis? (i.e. situational sensemaking), Who am I in this crisis? (i.e. identity-oriented sensemaking) and How does it matter what I do? (i.e. action-oriented sensemaking). Practical implications Crisis preparation tends to focus on plans and systems that accelerate or improve the construction of a situational understanding, while this study suggests the need of more preparatory attention for crisis responders’ roles and actions. Originality/value The research extends crisis sensemaking literature beyond the restricted focus on the incident itself by showing that responders are also trying to grasp their own role and how their actions matter when they are engaged in crisis response.