Skip to main content
Top
Published in: Journal of Business Ethics 1/2013

01-08-2013

Employee Reactions to Leader-Initiated Crisis Preparation: Core Dimensions

Authors: Marcus Selart, Svein Tvedt Johansen, Synnøve Nesse

Published in: Journal of Business Ethics | Issue 1/2013

Log in

Activate our intelligent search to find suitable subject content or patents.

search-config
loading …

Abstract

Crisis prevention plans are usually evaluated based on their effects in terms of preventing or limiting organizational crisis. In this survey-based study, the focus was instead on how such plans influence employees’ reactions in terms of risk perception and well-being. Five different organizations were addressed in the study. Hypothesis 1 tested the assumption that leadership crisis preparation would lead to lower perceived risk among the employees. Hypothesis 2 tested the conjecture that it would also lead to a higher degree of well-being. Both hypotheses were supported. The results and their implications are discussed.

Dont have a licence yet? Then find out more about our products and how to get one now:

Springer Professional "Wirtschaft+Technik"

Online-Abonnement

Mit Springer Professional "Wirtschaft+Technik" erhalten Sie Zugriff auf:

  • über 102.000 Bücher
  • über 537 Zeitschriften

aus folgenden Fachgebieten:

  • Automobil + Motoren
  • Bauwesen + Immobilien
  • Business IT + Informatik
  • Elektrotechnik + Elektronik
  • Energie + Nachhaltigkeit
  • Finance + Banking
  • Management + Führung
  • Marketing + Vertrieb
  • Maschinenbau + Werkstoffe
  • Versicherung + Risiko

Jetzt Wissensvorsprung sichern!

Springer Professional "Wirtschaft"

Online-Abonnement

Mit Springer Professional "Wirtschaft" erhalten Sie Zugriff auf:

  • über 67.000 Bücher
  • über 340 Zeitschriften

aus folgenden Fachgebieten:

  • Bauwesen + Immobilien
  • Business IT + Informatik
  • Finance + Banking
  • Management + Führung
  • Marketing + Vertrieb
  • Versicherung + Risiko




Jetzt Wissensvorsprung sichern!

Literature
go back to reference Barton, L. (2001). Crisis in organizations II. Cincinatti: College Divisions South-Western. Barton, L. (2001). Crisis in organizations II. Cincinatti: College Divisions South-Western.
go back to reference Bauman, D. C. (2010). Evaluating ethical approaches to crisis leadership: Insights from unintentional harm research. Journal of Business Ethics, 98, 281–295.CrossRef Bauman, D. C. (2010). Evaluating ethical approaches to crisis leadership: Insights from unintentional harm research. Journal of Business Ethics, 98, 281–295.CrossRef
go back to reference Baumeister, R. F., & Leary, M. R. (1995). The need to belong: Desire for interpersonal attachments as a fundamental human motivation. Psychological Bulletin, 117, 497–529.CrossRef Baumeister, R. F., & Leary, M. R. (1995). The need to belong: Desire for interpersonal attachments as a fundamental human motivation. Psychological Bulletin, 117, 497–529.CrossRef
go back to reference Beehr, T. A. (1995). Psychological stress in the workplace. London: Routledge. Beehr, T. A. (1995). Psychological stress in the workplace. London: Routledge.
go back to reference Breaugh, J. A., & Colihan, J. P. (1994). Measuring facets of job ambiguity: Construct validity evidence. Journal of Applied Psychology, 79, 191–202.CrossRef Breaugh, J. A., & Colihan, J. P. (1994). Measuring facets of job ambiguity: Construct validity evidence. Journal of Applied Psychology, 79, 191–202.CrossRef
go back to reference Brief, A. P., & Weiss, H. M. (2002). Affect in the workplace. Annual Review of Psychology, 53, 279–307.CrossRef Brief, A. P., & Weiss, H. M. (2002). Affect in the workplace. Annual Review of Psychology, 53, 279–307.CrossRef
go back to reference Coombs, W. T. (2006). Code red in the boardroom. Westport: Praeger. Coombs, W. T. (2006). Code red in the boardroom. Westport: Praeger.
go back to reference Coombs, W. T. (2007a). Crisis management and communications. Gainesville: Institute for Public Relations. Coombs, W. T. (2007a). Crisis management and communications. Gainesville: Institute for Public Relations.
go back to reference Coombs, W. T. (2007b). Ongoing crisis communication: Planning, managing, and responding. Los Angeles: Sage Publications. Coombs, W. T. (2007b). Ongoing crisis communication: Planning, managing, and responding. Los Angeles: Sage Publications.
go back to reference Coombs, W. T. (2007c). Protecting organization reputations during a crisis: The development and application of situational crisis communication theory. Corporate Reputation Review, 10, 1–14.CrossRef Coombs, W. T. (2007c). Protecting organization reputations during a crisis: The development and application of situational crisis communication theory. Corporate Reputation Review, 10, 1–14.CrossRef
go back to reference Cummings, L. L., & Anton, R. J. (1990). The logical and appreciative dimensions of accountability. In S. Shrivastrva, D. L. Cooperrider, & Associates (Eds.), Appreciative management and leadership: The power of positive thought and action in organizations. San Francisco: Jossey Bass. Cummings, L. L., & Anton, R. J. (1990). The logical and appreciative dimensions of accountability. In S. Shrivastrva, D. L. Cooperrider, & Associates (Eds.), Appreciative management and leadership: The power of positive thought and action in organizations. San Francisco: Jossey Bass.
go back to reference Cvetkovich, G., & Lofstedt, R. E. (1999). Social trust and the management of risk. London: Earthscan. Cvetkovich, G., & Lofstedt, R. E. (1999). Social trust and the management of risk. London: Earthscan.
go back to reference Das, T. K., & Teng, B. S. (2004). The risk-based view of trust: A conceptual framework. Journal of Business and Psychology, 19, 85–116.CrossRef Das, T. K., & Teng, B. S. (2004). The risk-based view of trust: A conceptual framework. Journal of Business and Psychology, 19, 85–116.CrossRef
go back to reference Dilenschneider, R. L. (2000). The corporate communications bible: Everything you need to know to become a public relations expert. Beverly Hills: New Millennium. Dilenschneider, R. L. (2000). The corporate communications bible: Everything you need to know to become a public relations expert. Beverly Hills: New Millennium.
go back to reference Dirks, K. T. (2006). Three fundamental questions regarding trust in leaders. In R. Bachmann & A. Zaheer (Eds.), Handbook of trust research (pp. 15–28). Cheltenham: Edward Elgar. Dirks, K. T. (2006). Three fundamental questions regarding trust in leaders. In R. Bachmann & A. Zaheer (Eds.), Handbook of trust research (pp. 15–28). Cheltenham: Edward Elgar.
go back to reference Dirks, K. T., & Ferrin, D. I. (2001). The role of trust in organizational settings. Organization Science, 12, 450–467. Dirks, K. T., & Ferrin, D. I. (2001). The role of trust in organizational settings. Organization Science, 12, 450–467.
go back to reference Dirks, K. T., & Ferrin, D. I. (2002). Trust in leadership: Meta-analytic findings and implications for organizational research. Journal of Applied Psychology, 87, 611–628.CrossRef Dirks, K. T., & Ferrin, D. I. (2002). Trust in leadership: Meta-analytic findings and implications for organizational research. Journal of Applied Psychology, 87, 611–628.CrossRef
go back to reference Egelhoff, W. G., & Sen, F. (1992). An information-processing model of crisis management. Management Communication Quarterly, 5, 443–484.CrossRef Egelhoff, W. G., & Sen, F. (1992). An information-processing model of crisis management. Management Communication Quarterly, 5, 443–484.CrossRef
go back to reference Fearn-Banks, K. (2001). Crisis communications: A casebook approach. Mahwah: Lawrence Erlbaum. Fearn-Banks, K. (2001). Crisis communications: A casebook approach. Mahwah: Lawrence Erlbaum.
go back to reference Francis, R., & Armstrong, A. (2003). Ethics as a risk management strategy: The Australian experience. Journal of Business Ethics, 45, 375–385.CrossRef Francis, R., & Armstrong, A. (2003). Ethics as a risk management strategy: The Australian experience. Journal of Business Ethics, 45, 375–385.CrossRef
go back to reference Frewer, L. J. (2003). Trust, transparency, and social context: Implications for the social amplification of risk. In N. Pidgeon, R. E. Kasperson, & P. Slovic (Eds.), The social amplification of risk. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Frewer, L. J. (2003). Trust, transparency, and social context: Implications for the social amplification of risk. In N. Pidgeon, R. E. Kasperson, & P. Slovic (Eds.), The social amplification of risk. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
go back to reference Frone, M. R., Russel, M., & Cooper, M. L. (1995). Job stressors, job involvement, and employee health: A test of identity theory. Journal of Occupational and Organizational Psychology, 68, 1–11.CrossRef Frone, M. R., Russel, M., & Cooper, M. L. (1995). Job stressors, job involvement, and employee health: A test of identity theory. Journal of Occupational and Organizational Psychology, 68, 1–11.CrossRef
go back to reference Garfinkel, H. (1963). A conception of, and experiments with “trust” as a condition of stable concerted actions. In O. J. Harvey (Ed.), Motivation and social interaction (pp. 187–238). New York: Ronald Press. Garfinkel, H. (1963). A conception of, and experiments with “trust” as a condition of stable concerted actions. In O. J. Harvey (Ed.), Motivation and social interaction (pp. 187–238). New York: Ronald Press.
go back to reference Gillespie, N., & Dietz, G. (2009). Trust repair after an organization-level failure. Academy of Management Review, 34, 127–145.CrossRef Gillespie, N., & Dietz, G. (2009). Trust repair after an organization-level failure. Academy of Management Review, 34, 127–145.CrossRef
go back to reference Gilligan, C. (1982). In a different voice. Boston: Harvard University Press. Gilligan, C. (1982). In a different voice. Boston: Harvard University Press.
go back to reference Greenberger, D. B., & Strasser, S. (1991). The role of situational and dispositional factors in the enhancement of personal control in organizations. In L. L. Cummings & B. M. Staw (Eds.), Research in organizational behavior (Vol. 13). Greenwich: JAI Press. Greenberger, D. B., & Strasser, S. (1991). The role of situational and dispositional factors in the enhancement of personal control in organizations. In L. L. Cummings & B. M. Staw (Eds.), Research in organizational behavior (Vol. 13). Greenwich: JAI Press.
go back to reference Herbane, B., Elliot, D., & Swartz, E. M. (2004). Business continuity management: Time for a strategic role? Long Range Planning, 37, 435–457.CrossRef Herbane, B., Elliot, D., & Swartz, E. M. (2004). Business continuity management: Time for a strategic role? Long Range Planning, 37, 435–457.CrossRef
go back to reference Hermann, C. F. (1963). Some consequences of crisis which limit the viability of organizations. Administrative Science Quarterly, 8, 61–82.CrossRef Hermann, C. F. (1963). Some consequences of crisis which limit the viability of organizations. Administrative Science Quarterly, 8, 61–82.CrossRef
go back to reference Hodson, R. (2004). Organizational trustworthiness: Findings from the population of organizational ethnographies. Organization Science, 15, 432–445.CrossRef Hodson, R. (2004). Organizational trustworthiness: Findings from the population of organizational ethnographies. Organization Science, 15, 432–445.CrossRef
go back to reference Hosmer, L. T. (1996). The ethics of management (Vol. 3). Chicago: Irwin. Hosmer, L. T. (1996). The ethics of management (Vol. 3). Chicago: Irwin.
go back to reference Ilies, R., Schwind, K. M., & Heller, D. (2007). Employee well-being: A multilevel model linking work and nonwork domains. European Journal of Work and Organizational Psychology, 16, 326–341.CrossRef Ilies, R., Schwind, K. M., & Heller, D. (2007). Employee well-being: A multilevel model linking work and nonwork domains. European Journal of Work and Organizational Psychology, 16, 326–341.CrossRef
go back to reference Jones, E. E., & Davis, K. E. (1965). From acts to dispositions: The attribution process in social psychology. In L. Berkowitz (Ed.), Advances in experimental social psychology (Vol. 2). New York: Academic Press. Jones, E. E., & Davis, K. E. (1965). From acts to dispositions: The attribution process in social psychology. In L. Berkowitz (Ed.), Advances in experimental social psychology (Vol. 2). New York: Academic Press.
go back to reference Lester, S. W., Kickul, J., & Bergmann, T. J. (2007). Managing employee perceptions of the psychological contract over time: The role of employer social accounts and contract fulfillment. Journal of Organizational Behavior, 28, 191–208.CrossRef Lester, S. W., Kickul, J., & Bergmann, T. J. (2007). Managing employee perceptions of the psychological contract over time: The role of employer social accounts and contract fulfillment. Journal of Organizational Behavior, 28, 191–208.CrossRef
go back to reference Lind, E. A., & Van den Bos, K. (2002). When fairness works: Toward a general theory of uncertainty management. In B. M. Staw & R. M. Kramer (Eds.), Research in organizational behavior (Vol. 24). Greenwich: JAI Press. Lind, E. A., & Van den Bos, K. (2002). When fairness works: Toward a general theory of uncertainty management. In B. M. Staw & R. M. Kramer (Eds.), Research in organizational behavior (Vol. 24). Greenwich: JAI Press.
go back to reference Maule, A. J. (2008). Risk communication in organizations. In G. Hodgkinson & W. H. Starbuck (Eds.), The Oxford handbook of organizational decision making. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Maule, A. J. (2008). Risk communication in organizations. In G. Hodgkinson & W. H. Starbuck (Eds.), The Oxford handbook of organizational decision making. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
go back to reference Mayer, R. C., Davis, J. H., & Schoorman, F. D. (1995). An integrated model of organizational trust. Academy of Management Review, 20, 709–734. Mayer, R. C., Davis, J. H., & Schoorman, F. D. (1995). An integrated model of organizational trust. Academy of Management Review, 20, 709–734.
go back to reference McGregor, I., Zanna, M. P., Holmes, J. G., & Spencer, S. J. (2001). Compensatory conviction in the face of personal uncertainty: Going to extremes and being oneself. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 80, 472–488.CrossRef McGregor, I., Zanna, M. P., Holmes, J. G., & Spencer, S. J. (2001). Compensatory conviction in the face of personal uncertainty: Going to extremes and being oneself. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 80, 472–488.CrossRef
go back to reference McKnight, D. H., Cummings, L. L., & Chervany, N. L. (1998). Initial trust formation in new organizational relationships. Academy of Management Review, 23, 473–490. McKnight, D. H., Cummings, L. L., & Chervany, N. L. (1998). Initial trust formation in new organizational relationships. Academy of Management Review, 23, 473–490.
go back to reference Mitroff, I. I. (2001). Managing crises before they happen: What every executive & manager needs to know about crisis management. New York: American Management Association. Mitroff, I. I. (2001). Managing crises before they happen: What every executive & manager needs to know about crisis management. New York: American Management Association.
go back to reference Mitroff, I. I. (2005). Why some companies emerge stronger and better from a crisis: 7 essential lessons for surviving disaster. New York: American Management Association. Mitroff, I. I. (2005). Why some companies emerge stronger and better from a crisis: 7 essential lessons for surviving disaster. New York: American Management Association.
go back to reference Quarantelli, E. L. (1988). Disaster crisis management: A summary of research findings. Journal of Management Studies, 25, 373–385.CrossRef Quarantelli, E. L. (1988). Disaster crisis management: A summary of research findings. Journal of Management Studies, 25, 373–385.CrossRef
go back to reference Renn, O. (1998). The role of risk communication and public dialogue for improving risk management. Risk, Decision, and Policy, 3, 5–30.CrossRef Renn, O. (1998). The role of risk communication and public dialogue for improving risk management. Risk, Decision, and Policy, 3, 5–30.CrossRef
go back to reference Rowe, G., & Frewer, L. J. (2005). A typology of public engagement methods. Science, Technology and Human Values, 30, 251–290.CrossRef Rowe, G., & Frewer, L. J. (2005). A typology of public engagement methods. Science, Technology and Human Values, 30, 251–290.CrossRef
go back to reference Schaubroeck, J., Ganster, D. C., Sime, W. E., & Ditman, D. (1993). A field experiment testing supervisory role clarification. Personnel Psychology, 46, 1–25.CrossRef Schaubroeck, J., Ganster, D. C., Sime, W. E., & Ditman, D. (1993). A field experiment testing supervisory role clarification. Personnel Psychology, 46, 1–25.CrossRef
go back to reference Schenker-Wicki, A., Inauen, M., & Olivares, M. (2010). Unmastered risks: From crisis to catastrophe. An economic and management insight. Journal of Business Research, 63, 337–346.CrossRef Schenker-Wicki, A., Inauen, M., & Olivares, M. (2010). Unmastered risks: From crisis to catastrophe. An economic and management insight. Journal of Business Research, 63, 337–346.CrossRef
go back to reference Schwartz, P. (2000). When good companies do bad things. Strategy & Leadership, 28, 4–11.CrossRef Schwartz, P. (2000). When good companies do bad things. Strategy & Leadership, 28, 4–11.CrossRef
go back to reference Seeger, M. W., & Ulmer, R. R. (2001). Virtuous responses to organizational crisis: Aaron Feuerstein and Milt Cole. Journal of Business Ethics, 31, 369–376.CrossRef Seeger, M. W., & Ulmer, R. R. (2001). Virtuous responses to organizational crisis: Aaron Feuerstein and Milt Cole. Journal of Business Ethics, 31, 369–376.CrossRef
go back to reference Selart, M., & Johansen, S. T. (2011). Ethical decision making in organizations: The role of leadership stress. Journal of Business Ethics, 99, 129–143.CrossRef Selart, M., & Johansen, S. T. (2011). Ethical decision making in organizations: The role of leadership stress. Journal of Business Ethics, 99, 129–143.CrossRef
go back to reference Simola, S. K. (2003). Ethics of justice and care in corporate crisis management. Journal of Business Ethics, 46, 351–361.CrossRef Simola, S. K. (2003). Ethics of justice and care in corporate crisis management. Journal of Business Ethics, 46, 351–361.CrossRef
go back to reference Simola, S. K. (2005a). Organizational crisis management: Overview and opportunities. Consulting Psychology: Practice and Research, 57, 180–195.CrossRef Simola, S. K. (2005a). Organizational crisis management: Overview and opportunities. Consulting Psychology: Practice and Research, 57, 180–195.CrossRef
go back to reference Simola, S. K. (2005b). Concepts of care in organizational crisis prevention. Journal of Business Ethics, 62, 341–353.CrossRef Simola, S. K. (2005b). Concepts of care in organizational crisis prevention. Journal of Business Ethics, 62, 341–353.CrossRef
go back to reference Sims, R. R., & Brinkman, J. (2002). Leaders as role models: The case of John Gutfreund at Salomon Brothers. Journal of Business Ethics, 35, 327–339.CrossRef Sims, R. R., & Brinkman, J. (2002). Leaders as role models: The case of John Gutfreund at Salomon Brothers. Journal of Business Ethics, 35, 327–339.CrossRef
go back to reference Sivertsson, T. (2000). Debriefing—Krisstöd—En väg till bättre arbetsmiljö (Debriefing—Crisis support—A path to a better worklife environment). Stockholm: Arbetarskyddsstyrelsen. Sivertsson, T. (2000). Debriefing—Krisstöd—En väg till bättre arbetsmiljö (Debriefing—Crisis support—A path to a better worklife environment). Stockholm: Arbetarskyddsstyrelsen.
go back to reference Slovic, P. (2000). The perception of risk. London: Earthscan Publications. Slovic, P. (2000). The perception of risk. London: Earthscan Publications.
go back to reference Snyder, P., Hall, M., Robertson, J., Jansinski, T., & Miller, J. S. (2006). Ethical rationality: A strategic approach to organizational crisis. Journal of Business Ethics, 63, 371–383.CrossRef Snyder, P., Hall, M., Robertson, J., Jansinski, T., & Miller, J. S. (2006). Ethical rationality: A strategic approach to organizational crisis. Journal of Business Ethics, 63, 371–383.CrossRef
go back to reference Thau, S., Aquino, K., & Wittek, R. (2007). An extension of uncertainty management theory to the self: The relation between justice, social comparison orientation, and antisocial work behaviors. Journal of Applied Psychology, 92, 250–258.CrossRef Thau, S., Aquino, K., & Wittek, R. (2007). An extension of uncertainty management theory to the self: The relation between justice, social comparison orientation, and antisocial work behaviors. Journal of Applied Psychology, 92, 250–258.CrossRef
go back to reference Tronto, J. H. (1993). Moral boundaries: A political argument for an ethic of care. London: Routledge. Tronto, J. H. (1993). Moral boundaries: A political argument for an ethic of care. London: Routledge.
go back to reference Tyler, T. R., & Degoey, P. (1996). Trust in organizational authorities: The influence of motive attributions on willingness to accept decisions. In R. Kramer & T. R. Tyler (Eds.), Trust in organizations: Frontiers of theory and research (pp. 331–356). Thousand Oaks: Sage.CrossRef Tyler, T. R., & Degoey, P. (1996). Trust in organizational authorities: The influence of motive attributions on willingness to accept decisions. In R. Kramer & T. R. Tyler (Eds.), Trust in organizations: Frontiers of theory and research (pp. 331–356). Thousand Oaks: Sage.CrossRef
go back to reference Ulmer, R. R., & Sellnow, T. L. (2000). Consistent questions of ambiguity in organizational crisis communication: Jack in the box as a case study. Journal of Business Ethics, 25, 143–155.CrossRef Ulmer, R. R., & Sellnow, T. L. (2000). Consistent questions of ambiguity in organizational crisis communication: Jack in the box as a case study. Journal of Business Ethics, 25, 143–155.CrossRef
go back to reference Van den Bos, K., & Lind, A. E. (2002). Uncertainty management by means of fairness judgments. Advances in Experimental Social Psychology, 34, 1–60.CrossRef Van den Bos, K., & Lind, A. E. (2002). Uncertainty management by means of fairness judgments. Advances in Experimental Social Psychology, 34, 1–60.CrossRef
go back to reference Warshaw, L. J. (1979). Managing stress. Reading: Addison-Wesley. Warshaw, L. J. (1979). Managing stress. Reading: Addison-Wesley.
go back to reference Whitener, E. M., Brodt, S. E., Korsgaard, M. A., & Werner, J. M. (1998). Managers as initiators of trust: An exchange relationship framework for understanding managerial trustworthy behavior. Academy of Management Review, 23, 513–530. Whitener, E. M., Brodt, S. E., Korsgaard, M. A., & Werner, J. M. (1998). Managers as initiators of trust: An exchange relationship framework for understanding managerial trustworthy behavior. Academy of Management Review, 23, 513–530.
Metadata
Title
Employee Reactions to Leader-Initiated Crisis Preparation: Core Dimensions
Authors
Marcus Selart
Svein Tvedt Johansen
Synnøve Nesse
Publication date
01-08-2013
Publisher
Springer Netherlands
Published in
Journal of Business Ethics / Issue 1/2013
Print ISSN: 0167-4544
Electronic ISSN: 1573-0697
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-012-1448-6

Other articles of this Issue 1/2013

Journal of Business Ethics 1/2013 Go to the issue