Crisis Management Research Articles

Internal auditors and crisis management: a post-crisis outcome evaluation

Purpose The purpose of the study is to understand how internal auditors in public US universities respond to and manage crises. As part of the post-crisis outcomes evaluation and learning process, the authors examine how internal auditors in public US universities manage their work and resources during the COVID-19 pandemic. Design/methodology/approach To motivate the study, the authors analyze internal audit-related information from universities’ audit committee meeting records during the pandemic. Subsequently, the authors conduct semi-structured interviews with chief audit executives (CAEs) and senior internal auditors to learn about their experiences during the pandemic crisis. Findings Through the lens of the organizational resilience framework, the authors find that when managing crises, CAEs in US universities play a leading role in providing institutional and emotional support to staff; securing organizational, financial and technical backing from management and audit committees and exercising flexibility in using available resources. Additionally, internal auditors must assess the internal and external environments during crises and adjust their operations accordingly. Increasing professional outreach also helps internal auditors mobilize additional resources in adversity. To thrive in the post-pandemic era, when remote working models become popular, internal auditors need to increase informal communication with management and audit committees and sharpen their data analytics skills. Originality/value The study provides an opportunity for internal auditors and their stakeholders to reflect on the wins and losses during the pandemic and prepare for future challenges. The authors propose extending Kimberlin et al.’s (2011) organizational resilience framework by adding a communication factor.

Teaching social inclusion, public policy and governance through active learning and educational games

How can an active learning approach enhance how key topics in public policy, public administration, and governance are taught? This article describes four educational game scenarios that illustrate decision-making processes in social inclusion policies. Various governance aspects can be examined through these games, including accountability reforms, crisis management, challenges in implementing artificial intelligence in social service provision, and market regulation. All these cases have been developed within the framework of the P-Cube project, an Erasmus + project that aims to foster active learning through the use of educational games for teaching public policy. The first case illustrates the effect of regulation on nursing home services, and aims to examine the implications of establishing independent agencies to regulate specific social sectors and the involvement and participation of the market and stakeholders in these regulatory bodies. The second case explores the application of artificial intelligence and automated decision-making in a surveillance system for detecting welfare fraud, in which the main learning objective is to discuss governance implications and consequences for social innovation and inclusion. The third case examines the implementation of alternative solutions for providing school meals to children from low-income families during the COVID-19 pandemic. The main objective here is to explore the role of participatory mechanisms in driving policy change and to identify the factors influencing their degree of effectiveness. The fourth case explores the potential ways of regulating the rights of workers employed in the digital platform-based economy. Our cases target graduate and postgraduate students in political science, public administration, public policy, social policy, and other related fields. They also offer valuable insights for practitioners, specifically public managers at different organizational levels.

MODELING APPROACH TO URBAN VULNERABILITY TO FLOODING IN THE METROPOLITAN AREA OF ANNABA

Historically, natural hazards have been a constant presence in Mediterranean regions. Earthquakes, eruptions, and floods frequently impact various territories, underscoring this reality. Consequently, governments have prioritized the establishment of prevention, management, and alert systems, making fundamental applied research essential for the ongoing development of these nations. Algeria has experienced numerous natural disasters in the past, particularly those associated with major earthquakes, such as the El Asnam earthquake on October 10, 1980, the Boumerdes earthquake on May 21, 2003, the Bab El Oued floods on November 10, 2001, and more recently, the Ghardaia floods on October 1, 2008.The general living conditions in Algeria, especially in urban areas, are characterized by insufficient management of various issues, largely due to rapid growth. This has at times led to unregulated and uncontrolled urban expansion, with developments on riverbeds, unstable slopes, and other high-risk areas. Such urbanization fails to consider the persistent presence of natural hazards, which are further intensified by climate change.Our objective is to identify the primary causes of natural risks and disasters in urban areas. This study includes an illustrative case in the intermunicipal area of Annaba, located in northeastern Algeria, where flood risk remains significant. The study aims to assess the impact of climate change and the support provided for crisis prevention and management within a sustainable framework.

Understanding the current provisions of support for people with an intellectual disabilities and/or autism in crisis: A mixed methods study.

There has been significant reduction in inpatient beds for people with intellectual disability and/or autism (PwID/A) in the UK in the last decade following high profile national scandals in specialist psychiatric hospitals. To reduce inappropriate admissions a new strategy (Blue-Light, an emergency multi-disciplinary meeting to prevent admission to hospital) was introduced. However, there is no research on the influence of Blue-Light on crisis management for PwID/A. To assess Blue-Light's impact on PwID/A's crisis presentations. Co-produced with experts-by-experience, a mixed methods approach using a 13 question Likert based survey of health and social-care professionals along with semi-structured interviews of carers involved with consecutive Blue-Light patient reviews was undertaken in Cornwall UK (population: 538,000). Patient data was accessed to understand the patient journey. All data analysis was descriptive in nature. Semi-structured interviews were transcribed and thematically analysed using Braun and Clarke's six-step process. Ten patient journeys were examined. Staff interviewed had a good understanding of the Blue-Light process, Blue-Light activation practical challenges and considered Blue-Light reactive. Nearly half wanted ID/A specialist beds recommissioned. A majority wanted improved supervision and standards for third sector providers. Semi-structured interviews of 10 patient-carers identified a lack of consistency from professionals, limited infrastructure provision, the prolongation of crises and a lack of definition of crisis as carers did not feel supported by services. Current crisis support systems are not standardised and often leave carers feeling unsupported in crises. An evidence-based debate of crisis support and the inpatient role for PwID/A is required.

COVID-19 and SMEs: An umbrella review of systematic literature (2020–2024) and future directions for entrepreneurship

AbstractThis special issue addresses the impact of COVID-19 on entrepreneurship. It builds on insights shared at the dedicated session – supported by the Hungarian Academy of Sciences' Post-COVID research grant (MTA PC-II-17/1/2022) – of the 2nd Danube Cup Conference in Belgrade in November 2023, featuring three papers presented there, along with four additional contributions. The goal of this issue is to advance scholarly understanding of post-COVID dynamics in entrepreneurship and share valuable findings with a broad academic audience. To provide a comprehensive overview of current research on this topic, we include an umbrella review examining the COVID-19 crisis' impact on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) from 2020 to 2024. Drawing on 26 systematic literature reviews identified through Scopus, Google Scholar, and Elicit, this review captures key challenges, strategies, and emerging trends affecting SMEs. Major research themes identified include resilience, supply chain management, digitalization, crisis management, and the financial impact of COVID-19.

Geospatial Analysis of COVID-19 Death Rate and Influencing Factors in the Middle East and North Africa Region

Introduction: This study uses advanced geospatial modeling to analyze key determinants of COVID-19 death cases across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, aiming to reveal spatial patterns and inform targeted interventions for enhanced public health response. Methods: This study employs GIS and geostatistical models, including OLS, SLM, SEM, GWR, and MGWR, to analyze spatial and demographic determinants of COVID-19 mortality across MENA. By examining socioeconomic, medical, and demographic factors, it identifies key drivers and explores spatially non-stationary relationships impacting death rates. Results: The study found that hospital bed allocation, unemployment rate, and vaccination doses positively correlate with COVID-19 death cases in MENA, likely due to better reporting and healthcare access. The OLS model (R² = 0.7346) highlighted spatial autocorrelation, prompting the use of SLM and SEM, which confirmed predictor significance. GWR (R² = 0.8140) and MGWR (R² = 0.8187) revealed spatially non-stationary relationships, with hospital beds impacting the northwest (GWR) and southwest (MGWR). Unemployment was significant in the northeast (Iran, Turkey) and northwest (Morocco), while vaccination doses were notably influential in Iran and Somalia. Conclusion: This study emphasizes the significant roles of healthcare capacity, socioeconomic factors, and vaccination coverage in influencing COVID-19 mortality across MENA. It highlights the vulnerability of healthcare systems in developing countries and underscores the need for targeted resource allocation. Using spatial models like GWR and MGWR, the research reveals regional variations, especially in the northwest, advocating for tailored, region-specific interventions. By integrating GIS and geostatistical models, this analysis lays a foundation for future research on COVID-19 dynamics, providing crucial insights to inform policy measures for better public health crisis management

Impact of social movements and employer responses on tourism employees: a reactive attitude framework perspective

ABSTRACT The purpose of this research note is to explore the impact of social movements on the tourism profession from an employee perspective. This study interviewed 28 tourism employees and analyzed the data through the lens of Strawson’s reactive attitude framework. The results revealed how tourism employees reacted to social injustice issues outside of their own workplace. The participants’ feelings varied but were mainly influenced by their work location, ethnicity, and diversity of their working and living environments. Moreover, employees displayed various emotional reactions based on their job positions and attitude toward their company's public support of social movements and implementation of DE&I measures. Based on these preliminary findings, this paper concludes by presenting key research opportunities that integrate social justice, employee well-being and internal crisis management and communication within the tourism industry.

The Impact of Situational Leadership on the Effectiveness of Crisis Management: A Field Study at Banks Operating in the Republic of Yemen

The Impact of Situational Leadership on the Effectiveness of Crisis Management: A Field Study at Banks Operating in the Republic of Yemen

Understanding Geotechnical Embankment Washout Due to Overtopping: Insights From Physical Tests

Abstract Understanding the erosion process of an earth dam and flood embankment composed of noncohesive, homogeneous soils due to overflow is crucial for determining the quantity and rate of water release. This is necessary to assess the consequences of a failure, analyze the risk, and develop appropriate crisis management procedures. Despite numerous studies in this area, the process of breach evolution is not fully explored. The article presents the results of physical experiments carried out in the field laboratory of the Wrocław University of Science and Technology for a dam with a height of 0.50 m that closes a reservoir with a capacity of 14.4 m3, whose width is significantly greater than the final width of the breach. The scenario analyzed assumes that water overflows the embankment crest, as it is the most common cause of embankment failure based on dam disaster databases. At the same time, the amount of water accumulated in the reservoir is the largest possible for this scenario, suggesting that such a catastrophe may have the most severe consequences. Based on the results obtained from three experiments, four repeatable phases of erosion evolution were identified and described: (I) the initiation phase, (II) the vertical erosion phase, (III) the lateral erosion phase, divided into two cycles, and (IV) the reservoir emptying phase without further propagation of the breach. The outflow rate of the water from the reservoir was also analyzed, allowing the determination of the outflow hydrograph for each test. Hydrographs showed differences between individual experiments; however, the average erosion rate was similar for all tests. Furthermore, the final width of the breach created each time was between 2.2 and 2.5 H (where H is the height of the embankment) and the volume of eroded soil ranged from 0.52 to 0.59 m3. The article also highlights the methodology to calculate the water outflow hydrograph.

Comprehensive Review of Integrated Approaches to Cooperation and Collaboration in Emergency Response and Crisis Management

There needs to be positive coordination and cooperation between governmental and non-governmental organizations, private businesses, and the population at large, especially during an emergency period. This paper will provide a detailed review of integrated approaches to crisis management, emphasizing the importance of establishing lines of communication and interdependency in crisis management. The review of the current topic focuses on identifying the various success and failure strategies of the recent worldwide crisis while stressing multilateral and interdisciplinary cooperation. Drawing from case studies and existing literature, this paper seeks to provide lessons learned for improving preparedness, response, and recovery during crises in the future.

The Scenario Quality Assessment Method: A New Technique for Verifying the Quality of Scenarios

ABSTRACTIn a modern world faced by increasing uncertainty and crises, the importance of scenarios to inform the strategic decision‐making processes of governments and corporations has become paramount. This necessitates that those scenarios are rigorous and of high quality. A challenge is that research articulating how to classify and ensure the quality of a scenario is not prolific. This paper addresses this challenge by developing a framework of criteria for assessing scenario quality based on the futures and foresight literature and then using this to offer a new method for specifically assessing the quality of scenarios in the context of crisis management. The Scenario Quality Assessment Method infuses both the critical thinking and creativity required to develop quality scenarios. The method was empirically verified with scholars and practitioners in the industry to determine inter‐rater reliability before its intended use in the analysis of a data set for a scenario planning research project in the context of crisis management. This paper contributes theoretically to future and foresight research by including the concept of creativity when assessing the quality of scenarios and offers practitioners in crisis management an effective technique to assess the quality of their own scenarios.

Significant impact exerted on global economy by implementing pandemic-reactive global-scale public health measures

Pandemics are global disease outbreaks that have significantly impacted societies, economies, and public health systems throughout history. From the bubonic plague to the Spanish flu and the recent COVID-19 pandemic, these crises have shaped human development and exposed vulnerabilities in health and economic systems. The epidemiological transition outlines three phases of human history: famine and pandemics, reduced outbreaks, and the current phase of degenerative diseases. The COVID-19 pandemic, a historic event, caused severe health, social, and economic disruptions globally. The economic consequences of pandemics are extensive, often persisting long after the health crisis subsides. The COVID-19 pandemic caused widespread unemployment, heightened poverty levels, and significant disruptions in industries and education. Governments implemented fiscal and monetary policies, including direct stimulus measures, to mitigate these effects. However, these actions introduced inflationary pressures and increased public debt, highlighting the complex balance between relief and economic stability. Public health responses, such as vaccination drives and non-pharmaceutical interventions, played a pivotal role in containing COVID-19. The pandemic emphasized the importance of integrating public health and economic policies to ensure comprehensive crisis management. Despite advancements in medical science and policy coordination, challenges such as misinformation, geopolitical tensions, and inadequate global cooperation hindered effective responses. Moving forward, governments must prioritize coordinated health and economic strategies to mitigate future pandemics. Strengthening global collaborations, improving public health systems, and leveraging technology will be crucial to building resilience and ensuring sustainable recovery from health crises.

Will tourists still travel? The impact of crisis management in cultural tourism destinations

ABSTRACT Economic, political, environmental, health, war, and other crises are inevitable and increasingly common. Tourists' perceptions and travel intentions are greatly affected, so it is critical to develop crisis management plans in destinations. The case of cultural destinations is of vital importance, due to the lack of research in this field and the specific characteristics of this type of tourist destination. This article, through a survey of 508 tourists at Daming Palace (China), evaluates the impact of the different types of crises and crisis management systems, through logistic regression analysis, median differences and cluster analysis. Cultural tourists have more negative perceptions in the case of crises with direct harm (terrorism, political crisis, environmental crises and health crises). In addition, crisis management systems are essential, adapted to each type of crisis and each type of tourist, depending on the age and interest of the cultural environment. In general, the most relevant measures in times of crisis turn out to be reimbursement and information systems in different languages. RESUMEN Las crisis económicas, políticas, medioambientales, de salud, guerra, entre otras, resultan inevitables y son cada vez más habituales. Las percepciones de turistas y sus intenciones de viaje se ven afectadas en gran medida, por lo que es fundamental desarrollar planes de gestión de crisis en los destinos. El caso de los destinos culturales resulta de vital importancia, debido a la falta de investigación en este ámbito y las características específicas de esta tipología de destinos turísticos. El presente artículo, a través de una encuesta a 508 turistas en el Palacio de Daming (China), evalúa el impacto de las distintas tipologías de crisis y sistemas de gestión de crisis, a través de análisis de regresión logística, diferencias de medianas y análisis clúster. Los turistas culturales presentan percepciones más negativas en el caso crisis con daños directos (terrorismo, crisis política, crisis medioambientales y crisis de salud). Además, resultan fundamentales los sistemas de gestión de crisis, adaptadas a cada tipo de crisis y a cada tipo de turista, en función de la edad y el interés del entorno cultural. En general, las medidas más relevantes en tiempos de crisis resultan ser los sistemas de reembolso e información en diferentes idiomas.

The evolution of online public opinion on earthquakes: a system dynamics approach

Earthquakes endanger lives and properties and trigger widespread online public opinion. If the government fails to implement emergency measures quickly, the risks associated with this online public opinion may escalate and present significant challenges in managing it. To solve this issue, this paper investigates the M5.7 earthquake in Yibin, China, as a case study, drawing data from China’s Sina Weibo. It also develops an evolutionary model of earthquake online public opinion using the life cycle theory of public opinion dissemination, public opinion crisis management theory, and system dynamics methods. This study chooses a system dynamic model because it can capture overall trends and feedback cycles. This approach provides a comprehensive view of the evolution of the whole system’s behavior and public opinion during the crisis. This model analyzes the evolution of the online public opinion of the earthquake from the perspective of the earthquake, netizens (social media users), media, and government. This study explores the differences between online public opinion by adjusting the size of different variables in the model. This provides an entry point for better control of the development and communication of earthquake online public opinion. The findings indicate that, following the earthquake, the media exerted the most significant influence on public opinion, mainly through media participation, diffusion, and impact, demonstrating a significantly positive correlation with the magnitude of public opinion. Moreover, the simulation revealed that the government is leading in preventing and controlling online public opinion. This study presents the following innovations: (1) It builds a comprehensive online public opinion model for earthquakes, which provides insights for studying online public opinion regarding other sudden natural disasters. (2) It employs system dynamics to simulate earthquake online public opinion, providing countermeasures and recommendations for the government to manage and regulate this discourse effectively.

Pre-hospital emergency care personnel’s challenges in providing care in mass casualty incidents: A qualitative study

BackgroundIn incidents with mass casualties, pre-hospital emergency medical services personnel (prehospital EMS personnel) face challenges that can impact their management of the scene and, by extension, their professional performance. The present study investigated the challenges faced by prehospital EMS personnel in mass casualty incidents in the south of Iran. MethodsThis is a qualitative-descriptive study. The subjects were selected via purposeful sampling. Accordingly, 23 prehospital EMS personnel were interviewed in 23 semi-structured, individual, in-depth interviews. Graneheim and Lundman’s method was used to collect the data. ResultsThree themes and eight subthemes emerged from the qualitative data analysis. The three main themes were challenges related to professional capabilities, challenges related to organizational management inefficiency, and challenges related to lack of effective inter-organizational coordination and cooperation in crisis management. ConclusionThe challenges faced by prehospital EMS personnel in mass casualty incidents encompasses challenges related to professional capabilities, challenges related to organizational management inefficiency, and challenges related to lack of effective inter-organizational coordination and cooperation in crisis management. The results of this study can be used by senior medical emergency services managers to identify the challenges of pre-hospital emergency care personnel in mass casualty incidents and take the necessary measures to eliminate them to improve the quality of pre-hospital care in mass casualty incidents.

Corrections to “Guest Editorial: Crisis Management—From Nuclear Accidents to Outbreaks of COVID-19 and Infectious Diseases”

Corrections to “Guest Editorial: Crisis Management—From Nuclear Accidents to Outbreaks of COVID-19 and Infectious Diseases”

Strategic approaches to crisis management: The global challenges of the pandemic on the Turkish container shipping industry

The Covid-19 pandemic has posed significant challenges to the sector, and Türkiye’s strategic location plays a crucial role in crisis management. This study aims to explore the repercussions of the pandemic on the sector and propose appropriate solutions. To identify the most effective solutions for prioritizing the challenges posed by Covid-19, 53 sector experts participated in the study. The Stepwise Weight Assessment Ratio Analysis method was used to weigh the criteria representing these challenges. The solutions were ranked using the Weighted Aggregated Sum Product Assessment and Combined Compromise Solution methods. The results indicate that the primary challenge is the increased shipping cost, followed by the prolongation of the transport time, global-scale impacts, and port congestion. The most appropriate solution identified was alternative vessel loading, followed by mixed-mode transportation usage, reservation guarantees, long-term contracts with shipping operators, integrated logistics services, container purchases, and technological integration

Crisis Management Strategies of Small Businesses in the Food Industry in Iran During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Crisis Management Strategies of Small Businesses in the Food Industry in Iran During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Crisis management and reputation recovery

Through an examination of optimal methodologies and tactics in crisis management and reputation restoration, the objective of this study is to furnish pragmatic perspectives and principles that can be employed by organizations to construct and enhance their individual crisis response frameworks. The main aim of this study is to improve comprehension regarding the successful management of crises, the reduction of reputational harm, and the recovery process following unpleasant occurrences inside businesses. The primary objective of this study is to enhance the current knowledge base by consolidating crisis management and reputation recovery under a cohesive framework. The selected research design for this study employs a mixed-methods approach, integrating both quantitative and qualitative research methodologies. The research findings highlight a shared agreement across stakeholders about the utmost importance of crisis management and reputation recovery for firms. Transparency, ethical behavior, and social responsibility have also emerged as crucial components in the endeavor to restore confidence, credibility, and brand image subsequent to a disaster. Besides, the effective application of crisis management methods was found to be associated with good stakeholder views. In addition, when firms demonstrate successful crisis management by engaging in preemptive planning, responding rapidly, and maintaining transparent communication, stakeholders tend to develop a more positive perception of these organizations.

How ecosystems coordinate architectures and AI in humanitarian operations? A configurational view

Recent research in crisis management indicates that business ecosystems are increasingly incorporating artificial intelligence (AI) into humanitarian operations. This integration is designed to coordinate a diverse range of actors and ensure the quick and efficient delivery of aid. One of the key operational issues identified with this undertaking is communal coordination in that the effectiveness of these humanitarian efforts largely hinges on the ability of the actors to foster a sense of community within the architecture of the AI-enabled ecosystem, i.e., a community characterized by trust and cooperation. This architecture is deemed critical for effective humanitarian operations. Yet some studies indicate that AI might impede coordination, potentially obstructing how communal relations develop between actors. Unfortunately, the literature does not adequately explain how ecosystems and architectures should be designed to promote communal coordination among the actors involved. Hence, with this research, we conducted a configurational analysis of humanitarian operations, referencing data from 73 ecosystems observed during the catastrophic floods in China in 2023. Using v4.1 of the fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) tool, we identified correlations between the architectures of various AI-enabled ecosystem configurations and the performance of the humanitarian operations they supported. From our research, we identified two exemplary architectures that led to superior humanitarian performance: one featuring loosely coupled coordination within an AI-enabled architecture, and the other emphasizing aligned coordination within more regulated homogeneity. The key distinction between the two architectural models lies in how the AI deployed influences the dynamics of coordination between the community and the governance bodies. This study reveals that, despite AI's significant potential to enhance humanitarian performance, effective communal coordination depends on aligning the ecosystem architecture with AI-driven coordination. This research contributes to the humanitarian literature by clarifying the complicated interactions between AI and ecosystem architectures in humanitarian scenarios.