Preparing for future uncertainty: creating a crisis management team

Abstract

This paper is aimed at designing a conceptual framework that explains the composition, development and operation of a Crisis Management Team (CMT) within an organisation. It approaches a CMT from the perspective of teamwork in organisations. The paper presents findings from the discussion of the relationship between crisis management phases, Team-Based Work (TBW) and the analysis of new components (fine tuning) in the Input-Mediator-Output-Input (IMOI) model. It also draws critical points from the case of the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) battle in China. The suggested models are conceptual in nature and provide a holistic view of a CMT. It does not provide an in-depth analysis for the implementation of a CMT. The conceptual models provide a fresh perspective on a CMT and enable both public and private entities to understand how to build and operate a CMT before or during a crisis.