Successive Crises Research Articles

Democratic backsliding in illiberal Singapore

Singapore is a well-known illiberal democracy, ruled by one party, the People's Action Party (PAP), uninterruptedly since 1959. The rise of disinformation, the leadership succession crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic have posed challenges to the ruling party's technocratic, ‘soft-authoritarian’ governance style. Is it business as usual in Singapore? Or has its democracy backslid like its regional neighbours? Drawing on an established index of accountability and V-Dem's democratic indicators, our study investigates whether democratic institutions in hybrid regimes such as Singapore have changed. We find that mechanisms of diagonal accountability related to media and civil society have declined. Vertical and horizontal accountability remains weak as expected in a hybrid regime such as Singapore. The PAP government has returned to relying on the law as a ‘fist in velvet glove’ to muzzle dissent and constrain information that may last post pandemic.

Anatomies of failed revolution in Ovid’s Aeginetan Plague and Mary Shelley’s The Last Man1

This essay examines the way that plague discourse allows two writers, Ovid and Mary Shelley, to contemplate the power of a revolution to transform a civic body. The author focuses initially on Ovid’s rendering of plague on Aegina in Metamorphoses 7, contextualizing it as a response to the changing significance of pietas as well as to the succession crisis faced by the Principate in the 20’s BCE; she interprets King Aeacus’ narrative of the tragedy he witnesses among his people and their replacement by Myrmidons (ant-people) as a cynical response to the Augustan revolution and its ability to implement lasting change in how Roman subjects interact after the prolonged civil wars of the late Roman Republic. The author then turns to Mary Shelley’s The Last Man, in which a plague eradicates all of known humanity except for a single survivor and eye-witness, Lionel Verney. The essay demonstrates that Shelley taps into Ovid’s cynicism regarding the potential for human recovery after widespread devastation as she and her protagonist consider various alternatives for effective governance in England. Shelley’s exploration of the affective bonds born from familial ties (Ovidian pietas) suggest that such ties pose insurmountable problems to implementing permanent transformation within any human social order.

The relict population of Pinna nobilis in the Mar Menor is facing an uncertain future

Pinna nobilis is undergoing one of the most dramatic events suffered by an endangered species. An emerging disease has relegated its populations to coastal lagoons or estuaries with salinities beyond the 36.5–39.7 psu range. The Mar Menor is one of two such locations on the Spanish coastline. Poor environmental conditions and eutrophication and anoxia events, that became critical in 2016, 2019 and 2021, have reduced its population in >99 %. In this work, the spatial distribution of the species within the lagoon and the factors determining its survival along the successive crises of eutrophication are studied using a two-stage (presence/absence estimation and density modelling) Species Distribution Model. A potential area of 200.97 ha and an average density of 1.05 ind.100 m2 is estimated for 2020. The viability of the Mar Menor population depends on management actions designed both for the species and to improve the lagoon environmental state.

Patterns of (de)politicization in times of crisis: Swiss residents' political engagement, 1999–2020

We explore period, cohort and age effects on political engagement of Swiss residents from 1999 to 2020. A particular focus lies on the impact of the successive crises democratic societies have faced in recent years, such as the economic and debt crisis, refugee crisis, climate change, terrorist attacks or COVID-19 pandemic. We review the literature on the potential of such large-scale external events for both politicization and depoliticization. We then draw several hypotheses, which we test empirically. We consider several dimensions of political engagement (interest in politics, party identification, participation in popular votes, political discussions, and political trust), and seek to explain their variation over time, using data from the Swiss Household Panel. Our results suggest that “troubled times” have little effect on political engagement overall, but that crises stimulate political discussions and trust in government in the short term. We further find increasing levels of political trust in the longer run, which might reflect a cumulative effect of the various crises. In contrast, we find steadily declining levels of traditional forms of political engagement, namely party identification and participation in popular votes, as well as interest in politics. For cohorts, we find a U-shaped association between generations and political engagement. An exception to this pattern is political trust, where we observe a small but steady increase from older to newer generations. For age, we observed a monotonic increase of political engagement with age for all indicators. Again, trust in government somewhat deviates from other forms of political engagement, as it first decreases in the younger age groups and then increases from the age of 40 onwards. In conclusion, we discuss some implications of these complex patterns of results for the future of democratic systems.

Stressors faced by principals, ways of coping with stress and leadership experiences during the COVID -19 pandemic

PurposeThe aim of this study is to better understand how principals in Turkey perceive and navigate overwhelming stress and to identify leadership practices that enable coping with stress during the COVID-19 pandemic.Design/methodology/approachA qualitative case study was used to gain an in-depth understanding of the stress factors, coping strategies and leadership experiences that the principals faced during the pandemic through semi-structured interviews with 12 school principals.FindingsThe results of the research showed that the stressors perceived by the principals were reflected in their leadership practices. The leadership practices of the principals in this period were interpreted as their reactions to perceived stressors. In addition, ensuring the self-care and well-being of principals has been evaluated as a prerequisite for successful crisis leadership. Leadership practices that are effective in achieving crisis leadership in the context of the pandemic are explained.Practical implicationsImplications were made for the development of a comprehensive theory of crisis leadership that focuses on the well-being of school leaders and the development of leadership skills. Further empirical research on how leadership is achieved in different types of crises is recommended.Originality/valueOur research contributes to the existing knowledge and school leaders about how crisis leadership is achieved by revealing the complexity and multidimensional structure of school leadership in the context of the pandemic.

Conceptualising the panic buying phenomenon during COVID-19 as an affective assemblage

Purpose This study aims to conceptualise the panic buying behaviour of consumers in the UK during the novel COVID-19 crisis, using the assemblage approach as it is non-deterministic and relational and affords new ways of understanding the phenomenon. Design/methodology/approach The study undertakes a digital ethnography approach and content analysis of Twitter data. A total of 6,803 valid tweets were collected over the period when panic buying was at its peak at the beginning of the first lockdown in March 2020. Findings The panic buying phase was a radical departure from the existing linguistic, discursive, symbolic and semiotic structures that define routine consumer behaviour. The authors suggest that the panic buying behaviour is best understood as a constant state of becoming, whereby stockpiling, food waste and a surge in cooking at home emerged as significant contributors to positive consumer sentiments. Research limitations/implications The authors offer unique insights into the phenomenon of panic buying by considering DeLanda’s assemblage theory. This work will inform future research associated with new social meanings of products, particularly those that may have been (re)shaped during the COVID-19 crisis. Practical implications The study offers insights for practitioners and retailers to lessen the intensity of consumers’ panic buying behaviour in anticipation of a crisis and for successful crisis management. Originality/value Panic buying took on a somewhat carnivalesque hue as consumers transitioned to what we consider to be atypical modes of purchasing that remain under-theorised in marketing. Using the conceptual lenses of assemblage, the authors map bifurcations that the panic buyers’ assemblages articulated via material and immaterial bodies.

The clash of traditional values: opposition to female monarchs

AbstractThe revision of sexist laws is complicated not only by disagreements between progressives and traditionalists but also by opposing views held by different types of traditionalists. We design a two-wave list experiment with information treatments to examine public opinion toward reforming the Japanese monarchy’s male-only patrilineal succession rule, focusing on two strands of traditionalism: conservatism and sexism. We show that conservatism, not sexism, is associated with stronger opposition to the ascension of female monarchs. Moreover, opinions toward gendered succession rules are hard to dislodge, because they are rooted in deep-held values. Treatments that highlight the capability of female heirs, the rarity of current practices in peer nations, and the perils posed by succession crises fail to change respondent preferences. Our study reveals the discordance within traditional values, and how this can impede efforts to reform statutory gender discrimination.

Conceptualizing and Explaining Flexibility in Administrative Crisis Management: A Cross-district Analysis in Germany

AbstractFlexibility in administrative crisis management is a frequently reported determinant for a successful crisis response. But there is little agreement about how to conceptualize, measure, and explain flexibility. We use a three-dimensional measure of administrative flexibility, capturing employees’ decision leeway, staff mobility, and organizational innovation in a crisis response. We then develop and test an explanation of variation in flexibility, focusing on the refugee crisis of 2015/16 in Germany and analyzing survey and socioeconomic data from 235 districts using linear regression analysis. The main finding is that differences in flexibility cannot be explained by the scope of the crisis in a district, but by organizational factors: Agencies with politically unconstrained leadership, with higher financial resources and more crisis-related experience, respond more flexible. These findings contribute to theorizing and explaining administrative flexibility in and beyond crisis management and have practical implications for crisis learning and preparation.

Frontline healthcare workers' perspectives on interprofessional teamwork during COVID-19.

Effective interprofessional teamwork serves an important role in successful crisis response. Responses to past public health crises have relied on interprofessional communication and trust to support healthcare worker (HCW) resiliency. To understand interprofessional interactions and perceptions of teamwork during the COVID-19 response, we conducted in-depth semi-structured interviews with 18 inpatient HCWs (11 bedside nurses, 5 care coordinators, and 2 pharmacists) from one VA Medical Center between March and June 2020. Using thematic analysis, we identified four key themes that describe the strengths and challenges of teamwork, interprofessional communication, patient care, and organizational response during the initial COVID-19 surge. Interprofessional teamwork suffered for those who worked remotely, but improved for nurses who remained on inpatient units, who felt a noticeable decline in interprofessional hierarchies. Participants described the need for timely, accurate, transparent communication as they faced new patient safety and communication challenges brought on by the pandemic. HCWs expressed a desire for sustained leadership support and inclusion in institutional decision-making. These challenges to teamwork, communication, and patient care highlight the need for consistent, transparent communication and organizational response from hospital leadership during times of crisis.

Coping with natural disasters: Political leadership framing of the 2018 wildfires in Greece

AbstractThe present study examines the discourse of the then Greek Prime Minister, Alexis Tsipras, following the 2018 July wildfire disaster in the Eastern Attica suburbs including Mati to reveal the frames employed by the main protagonist utilizing existing framing models while also incorporating the notions of ethic of care and strategic ambiguity. The then government received extensive criticism by the media and political opponents in regard to the management and communication responses of the then Prime Minister. A content analysis was conducted to the statements made by the then Prime Minister. Findings indicate that Tsipras during the initial stages of the crisis acknowledged the extent of crisis while also emphasizing the successful crisis response efforts. Moreover, strategic ambiguity along with low levels of “caring” were important elements of Tsipras' narrative at the initial stage. As the public outrage and criticism intensified, Tsipras incorporated a more caring profile and presented the disaster as a “critical opportunity” by shifting the blame to previous governments and proposing policy changes.

Do governance capacity and legitimacy affect citizens' satisfaction with COVID-19 management? Some evidence from South Asia

PurposeTheoretically, both democ/ratic legitimacy and government capacity are necessary for successful crisis management, like the COVID-19 pandemic. The authors argue that there are important variations for pandemic management in the developed and democratic world. However, are these equally needed in the developing world where democracy and capacity are present in varying degrees and in some countries with a vast deficit? This article analyzes how legitimacy and capacity affect citizens' satisfaction with the pandemic management in South Asia.Design/methodology/approachThe study is based on a survey of 3,423 randomly selected respondents from Facebook users in South Asia. The survey data are presented and discussed along with information derived from secondary sources to put the data in the broader context of the South Asian countries. The authors apply ordinary linear regression for statistical analysis.FindingsThe findings suggest that citizens are content with the performance of government institutions in COVID-19 management. They emphasize material well-being, such as relief provisions and financial incentives during the crisis period. They are, however, less concerned about the legitimacy dimension, although democracy in South Asia is flawed with excessive restrictions on public freedom during the pandemic. The contradictory findings may be due to the public orientation towards authoritarian culture and their preference for strongman rule in crisis management.Practical implicationsThe governments in South Asia may systematically use army and police forces to manage crises as people are more satisfied with their performance during COVID-19 management.Originality/valueThis is the first time data across South Asia have been collected and analyzed about crisis management.

Pragmatic optimism, crisis leadership, and contingency theory: A view from the C-suite

In the last three decades, the theory of strategic conflict management has been developed so that it is a strong framework for considering the factors that influence an organization’s response to crises and identifying the importance for dynamic and flexible approaches to crisis decision-making and communication. While leadership is considered one of the critical internal contingency factors but individual characteristics of key decision-makers, like the CEO, are also one of the most understudied ones. At the same time, the concept of optimism has long been explored as a factor influencing performance and positive outcomes in many arenas, but with scant evidence in the application to senior-level leadership or crisis contexts. In fact, in the crisis literature where optimism and pessimism is addressed, it largely argues that crisis leaders should adopt a pessimistic mindset. For this study senior-leaders in multinational companies responsible for managing employees in an average of 70 countries each and with extensive crisis leadership experience reflect on their own experiences during crises. Findings indicate that optimism is a critical trait in successful crisis leadership connecting to positive outcomes for the teams and organizations. These data also provide critical insights that develop a stronger understanding of contingency planning in crisis management because we have identified a trait that amongst an elite group of managers with extensive crisis experience was consistently attributed to their own success as crisis leaders.

Effects of crises and neoliberalism on Spanish social workers: coping with meaningfulness, dissatisfaction, and withdrawal

ABSTRACT This study aimed to examine some components of job satisfaction, work meaningfulness, and job dissatisfaction in social workers from governmental (GO), private (PO), and third sector (TSO) organisations. The study analysed the responses provided by 35 Spanish social workers concerning various work components that generate satisfaction, meaningfulness or dissatisfaction in them. The thematic analysis of their comments, grouped into job demands, job resources, and job crafting, revealed components that produce satisfaction and meaningfulness (the profession itself and coworkers’ support) and others that provoke dissatisfaction (overload, working conditions, and salaries). Similarities among the three organisations were found in the causes of satisfaction and meaningfulness. Differences were found concerning dissatisfaction: PO and TSO participants consider themselves precarious workers in terms of their overload, working conditions, and salaries; compared to them, GO social workers are considered privileged in these three components, so all participants want to work in a GO. These circumstances have been aggravated by the neoliberal policies implemented to confront the successive crises. Social workers carry out multiple coping strategies, including practices of resistance, to encourage satisfaction and meaningfulness, minimise dissatisfaction, and avoid or postpone withdrawal.

State Effectiveness and Crises in East and Southeast Asia: The Case of COVID-19

East and Southeast Asian countries have recorded significant success in dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic. They have employed more effective crisis management strategies than countries in many other parts of the world. This article examines in detail the experiences of two of Asia’s pandemic success stories—South Korea and Vietnam—to identify the ways in which they responded to COVID-19 and how they related to state effectiveness. The lessons learned from the analysis of South Korean and Vietnamese crisis management include: the importance of preparedness and decisive action; the need for flexibility to cope with changing circumstances; that there are alternative crisis management strategies to reach the same desired outcomes; and that crisis management is best served by securing unity of purpose among government, citizens, civil society and the private sector. State effectiveness is a foundation for such features of successful crisis management.

Ability of residents to assess relative risk from tourists during the COVID-19 pandemic

ABSTRACT This paper compares relative risk perceptions of residents to inbound tourists from countries with different COVID-19 profiles. Results suggest residents are able to distinguish between COVID-19 risks based on the incidence of COVID-19 in the tourists’ source country. Residents’ risk perceptions were better aligned with the absolute number of cases (ignoring population size) in tourists’ country of origin than with the number of COVID cases per capita. This was primarily influenced by China’s relatively large population. The results suggest people can accurately assess relative risk, especially when the media provides quality information (as was the case for COVID-19 cases). By examining perceptions of residents rather than tourists, this paper adds new insights into tourism outcomes of successful crisis management, especially in the context of public health disasters.

Crisis Management and Staff Work Quality in Apparel and Textile Industry: Perspective from Italy

The art of managing an emergency situation at the workplace through effective planning and quick action refers to crisis management. An unstable condition which leads to major disturbances at the workplace must be controlled immediately for effective functioning of the organization. During the past few years, the textile and apparel industry in Italy has been concentrating on developing its end-product segment, which includes apparels. Unlike earlier, when the Italian textile industry ensured that its focus on basic textile products didn't suffer following promotion of end product segment, things have changed now. One minor disadvantage that the industry has suffered following this shift in industrial approach is that the cotton yarn and fabric production has declined persistently in last few years. The sector which reported the lowest revenue in 2019 was the manufacturing of cordage, ropes and twines with a value of about 228 million euros. The fractious cultural movements that induce successive crisis are confronted by organizations that crisis their property, and therefore their on-going prospects. These have lately presented themselves in a variety of failures that range from financial failure, epidemics, and other natural calamities; violent actions among staffs and from terrorist factions as well. From the literature there is no doubt that apparel and textile industries in Italy have to cope with stress and job satisfaction of their employees with these two elements one affecting the other and if both function well could lead to positive results for employees’ work and organization. The study concludes that crises in the apparel and textile industry in Italy are often caused by the complexity of systems and organizations but also from incorrect or disputed decisions as well as from the interaction between technological systems and people who are trying to manage them, which significantly impacts on staff work quality. Keywords: Crisis management, Staff work quality, Apparel &Textile industry, Italy

Changes in Management of Business Education Based on Covid-19 Pandemic

Abstract This article focuses on the perception of crisis management of case business university due to the shift from in-person learning to online or distance form based on COVID-19 and suggestions to improve university branding and competitiveness. Results are based on interviewing students enrolled at business courses during the coronavirus crisis. The aim is to identify successful crisis management practices of a university based on key factors drawn from students’ feedback to ensure smooth shift to online education while maintaining efficiency and reputation. Students reactions were analysed to construct factors leading to successfully manage university’s value though non-standard period. Students reflection on their experiences brings factors crucial to manage unexpected situation, i.e.: personalized communication, openness of school staff, fast reactions, alternative study possibilities, management of social impact, and alternative exams.

A systematic prioritization approach for identifying suitable pearl oyster restocking zones following a mass mortality event in Takaroa Atoll, French Polynesia

Oyster farming for black pearl production is central in French Polynesia. It is the second source of national income and provides substantial job opportunities, notably in remote atolls. However, this sector has been undermined by successive crises, such as mass-mortalities of wild and farmed oyster stocks that have impacted entire lagoons. An option to revive the activity consists of reintroducing oysters in strategic benthic locations selected to maximize reproduction and dispersal of larvae throughout the lagoon, hence promoting recolonization and spat collection for farming. For Takaroa, a Tuamotu atoll recently impacted by mortalities, a systematic prioritization approach identified these restocking sites, using environmental and socio-economic criteria such as: location of suitable habitats for oyster settlement, larval connectivity estimated from hydrodynamic circulation model, farming waste accumulation, and opportunity cost to fishers and farmers who lose access to restocking areas. This approach provides managers with a portfolio of restocking options.

Creation of Work Integration Social Enterprises (WISEs) by Social Action Organizations: Proposal of a Model for Decision-Making

Successive crisis in Europe have contributed to rethink welfare state and the entrepreneurial role of Third Sector organizations in the provision of community services that progressively have created social enterprises. Its creation is the result of a decision-making process that is collective, not individual, and of a strategic nature, in which the organization's culture plays a relevant role. This work aims to describe and analyze the entrepreneurial process, and the key elements that determines the decision of creating a work insertion social enterprise by its promotor entity. As a result, this article proposes an explicative model of social enterprises creation and makes an empirical validation, using Delphi Method in Spanish work insertion social enterprises case.

Singapore in 2021

Singapore remained in crisis mode in 2021, a situation that persisted from 2020. While COVID-19 continued to devastate various foundations of Singapore, especially the economy and public confidence in the government, a political succession crisis threw the republic deeper into uncharted territory. These developments are likely to have long-term consequences, especially for the staying power of government in what is a one-dominant-party state.