Wireless Electronics Notice Board free essay sample

This study is meant to discover the reasons behind the ineffective crisis management responses through the inspection of past corporate case studies in crisis management, as well as what can be done to help corporations use crisis management more effectively. The best practices in effective corporate crisis management in the three different stages of a crisis were attained through the utilization of case studies and expert opinions. Introduction Statement of the Problem This study focuses on corporate crisis management and how current strategies are falling short in creating effectively managed crises. â€Å"Contemporary crisis management, in short, is often little more than ‘rolling with the punches’ and hoping for the best†(Nudell Antokol, 1988, p. 18). From the Exxon Valdez Oil Tanker Spill in 1989 to the BP Oil Spill in 2010, it is clear that for years corporations have been ineffective in managing crises, and thus need a list of best practices in order to be able to successfully manage any crisis scenario a corporation may encounter. We will write a custom essay sample on Wireless Electronics Notice Board or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Background of the Problem In the current crisis management literature, most case studies on corporate crises include only a couple of examples in which the corporation handled the crisis management response effectively in the last decade. There is existing literature on crisis management, but most of it is scattered and does not directly pertain to corporations, nor is it current. Since so many corporations are dealing with devastating crises yearly, it is important to conduct research on the best practices used by professionals in the crisis management fields by collecting expert opinions on the topic of crisis management. Purpose of the Study Examples between 2008-2010, like the US economic crisis of 2008 and the BP oil rig spill in 2010, prove that â€Å"clearly, we continue to experience devastating crises of all types and, as a result, the current need for effective crisis communication understanding and skills continues to grow† (Ulmer, Sellnow, and Seeger, 2011, p. 3). Through collection of current literature and expert opinions, hopefully corporations can have a better layout as how to best manage an impending crisis, current crisis, or the aftermath of a crisis. By researching the current best practices in crisis management and analyzing them along side expert opinions from the industry, it will benefit corporations and crisis management professionals who are in charge of managing and finding solutions to crisis situations. It can also prevent corporations from losing everything if a crisis hits, because â€Å"planning to manage crises and issues is the key to corporate survival† (Regester Larkin, 2008, p. 206). Setting for the Study This study is done as part of the completion of a Senior Project at California Polytechnic State University, which is located in San Luis Obispo, California. The data will be collected through administering interviews with three experts in the fields of corporate crisis management, emergency management, and crisis communications. The experts will be interviewed individually with a questionnaire that was designed to probe deeper in order to answer the research questions and discover the inconsistencies in the current literature on the topic of effective corporate crisis management. Research Questions: This study will use the following research questions to answer the unknowns in the existing literature on the topic of crisis management. These questions were developed after discovering the gaps in the current crisis management literature, and in hopes of gathering further information from experts in the fields of corporate crisis management, emergency management, and crisis communications. 1. How have corporations used crisis management in the past to deal with crises? 2. What is considered effective crisis management? a. What role does a leader play in effective crisis management? 3. What are the best practices in effective crisis management for anticipating the crisis? 4. What are the best practices in effective crisis management for addressing the crisis? 5. What are the best practices in effective crisis management for dealing with the aftermath of the crisis? Definition of Terms The following terms are defined to help the reader understand the jargon of the topic and provide background for the study.