How to anticipate on crisis dynamics?: A study on Dutch mayors experiencing a crisis with a significant aftermath

This study conducts research to unravel the influence of crisis response strategies applied by public leaders on the stances taken on by stakeholders, anticipating on their future process of political accountability. Anticipating on dynamic crisis communication efforts, this study conducts research to crises in which Dutch public leaders experience a significant crisis aftermath in the form of an official inquiry. Findings confirm the key argument within the SCCT-theory by Coombs (2007), that stresses the importance to formulate the response strategy, during and in the aftermath of a crisis, by means of the perceived initial responsibility. Remarkably, findings from the case of Utrecht may suggest that consistency positively contributes to the stakeholder stances taken on towards the crisis handling of the mayor. In addition, inconsistency during and in the aftermath of a crisis, present in the response strategy by Pauline Krikke in the case of The Hague, seems to negatively affect...Show moreThis study conducts research to unravel the influence of crisis response strategies applied by public leaders on the stances taken on by stakeholders, anticipating on their future process of political accountability. Anticipating on dynamic crisis communication efforts, this study conducts research to crises in which Dutch public leaders experience a significant crisis aftermath in the form of an official inquiry. Findings confirm the key argument within the SCCT-theory by Coombs (2007), that stresses the importance to formulate the response strategy, during and in the aftermath of a crisis, by means of the perceived initial responsibility. Remarkably, findings from the case of Utrecht may suggest that consistency positively contributes to the stakeholder stances taken on towards the crisis handling of the mayor. In addition, inconsistency during and in the aftermath of a crisis, present in the response strategy by Pauline Krikke in the case of The Hague, seems to negatively affect stakeholders stances towards the mayor’s handling of the crisis. Finally, findings of this study reveal the importance of incorporating the findings from the inquiry report in the response strategy during the aftermath of the crisis. When anticipating on the findings of the inquiry report, the mayor takes on political accountability for their crisis efforts.Show less

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How to anticipate on crisis dynamics? A study on Dutch mayors experiencing a crisis with a significant aftermath