Selective Forfending on Controversial Issues Related to Large Corporations: An Exploration into the Public’s Acquisition and Transmission Characteristics by Conspiracy Orientation and Problem-Solving Situational Factors

Abstract

Using the situational theory of problem solving (STOPS), this study examines the impact of closed-minded communication in the secondary digital information market in crisis situations where controversial issues about large corporations can unduly deteriorate the relationship between the business and publics. A combination model was constructed to examine the influence of the situational antecedents of STOPS and the conspiracy orientation on selective forfending. An analysis of online survey data ( N = 700) revealed the influences of conspiracy orientation and factors other than problem recognition were significant among the factors for problem situations. Publics was subdivided into “non-conspiracy theorists,” “conspiracy theorists,” and “situational problem solvers” groups with the “conspiracy theorist” group performing selective forfending of business ethics issue information, engaging in the most prominent degree of acquisition and transmission of the information among the groups.