Skip to main content

Crisis management in the media society – Communicative integrity as the key to safeguarding reputation in a crisis

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
  • 2345 Accesses

Abstract

The value of reputation is unquestionable: an organisation with a good reputation attracts better people, is perceived as providing better value or even has more loyal customers or members respectively. Reputation is therefore to be protected carefully, since at times when value to a great extent comes from intangible assets such as goodwill or intellectual capital, a lost reputation may be the beginning of the end. During organisational crises, reputation may serve as a reservoir of goodwill on the one hand, but it also comes under attack on the other. In the age of the media society strategic crisis communications management therefore becomes a key instrument for protecting reputation sustainably.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.

Buying options

Chapter
USD   29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD   39.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD   54.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD   54.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Learn about institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  • Barton L (2001) Crisis in organizations II (Vol. 2nd edition). Cincinnati: College Divisions South-Western

    Google Scholar 

  • Baumgärtner N (2005) Risiko- und Krisenkommunikation – Rahmenbedingungen, Herausforderungen und Erfolgsfaktoren dargestellt am Beispiel der chemischen Industrie. Verlag Dr. Hut, München

    Google Scholar 

  • Baumgärtner N (2008) Risiken kommunizieren – Grundlagen, Chancen und Grenzen. In: Nolting T, Thießen A (eds) Krisenmanagement in der Mediengesellschaft. Potenziale und Perspektiven der Krisenkommunikation. VS Verlag für Sozialwissenschaften, Wiesbaden

    Google Scholar 

  • Bentele G (1994) Öffentliches Vertrauen – normative und soziale Grundlage für Public Relations. In: Armbrecht W, Zabel U (eds) Normative Aspekte der Public Relations. Grundlagen und Perspektiven. Eine Einführung. Wiesbaden: Westdeutscher Verlag, Wiesbaden, pp 131–158

    Google Scholar 

  • Berg D, Robb S (1992) Crisis management and the “paradigm case”. In: Toth E, Heath R (eds) Rhetorical and critical approaches to public relations. Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, Hillsdale

    Google Scholar 

  • Bohnet I, Huck S (2004) Repetition and reputation: Implications for trust and trustworthiness when institutions change. The American Economic Review, Vol 94 No 2 pp 362–366

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bromley D (2001) Relationships between personal and corporate reputation. European journal of marketing, Vol 35 No 3and 4 pp 316–334

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bromley D (2002) Comparing corporate reputations. Leagute tables, quotients, benchmarks, or case studies? Corporate reputation review, Vol 5 No 1 pp 35–50

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Caruana A, Cohen C, Krentler K (2006) Corporate reputation and shareholders’intentions: An attitudinal perspective. Journal of brand management, Vol 13 No 6 pp 429–440

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Coombs T (1999) Information and compassion in crisis responses. A test of their effectiveness. Journal of public relations research, Vol 11 No 2 pp 125–142

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Coombs T (2006a) The protective powers of crisis response strategies. Managing reputational assets during a crisis. Journal of Promotion Management, Vol 12 No 3 and 4 pp 241–260

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Coombs T (2006b) Unpacking the halo effect: reputation and crisis management. Journal of Communication Management, Vol 10 No 2 pp 123–137

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Coombs T (2007) Protecting organization reputations during a crisis. The development and application of Situational Communication Theory. Corporate Reputation Review, Vol 10 No 3 pp 163–176

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Coombs T (2008) The future of crisis communication from an international perspective. In: Thießen A, Nolting T (eds) Krisenmanagement in der Mediengesellschaft. Potenziale und Perspektiven der Krisenkommunikation. VS Verlag für Sozialwissenschaften, Wiesbaden, pp 277–289

    Google Scholar 

  • Cravens K, Oliver E (2006) Employees: The key link to corporate reputation management. Business Horizons, Vol 49 No 4 pp 293–302

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Csiszar E, Heidrich G (2006) The question of reputational risk: Perspectives from an industry. The Geneva papers, Vol 31 No 3 pp 382–394

    Google Scholar 

  • D’Aveni R, MacMillan I (1990) Crisis and the content of managerial communications: A study of the focus of attention of top managers in surviving and failing firms. Administrative Science Quarterly, Vol 35 No 4 pp 634–657

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Davies G, Chun R (2002) Gaps between the internal and external perceptions of the corporate brand. Corporate Reputation Review, Vol 5 No 2 and 3 pp 143–156

    Google Scholar 

  • Davies G, Chun R, da Silva RV, Roper S (2003) Corporate reputation and competitiveness. Routledge, London

    Google Scholar 

  • de Castro GM, Navas López JE, López Saéz P (2006) Business and social reputation: Exploring the concept and main dimensions of corporate reputation. Journal of business ethics, Vol 63 No 4 pp 361–370

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dowling G (2002) Creating corporate reputations. Identity, image and performance. Oxford University Press, Oxford

    Google Scholar 

  • Eberl M, Schwaiger M (2005) Corporate reputation. Disentangling the effects on financial performance. European journal of marketing, Vol 39 No 7 and 8 pp 838–854

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Eccles R, Newquist S, Schatz R (2007) Reputation and its risks. Harvard Business Review pp 104–114

    Google Scholar 

  • Einwiller S (2003) When reputation engenders trust: An empirical investigation in business-to-consumer electronic commerce. Electronic markets, Vol 13 No 3 pp 196–209

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Eisenegger M (2005) Reputation in der Mediengesellschaft. Konstitution, Issues monitoring, Issues management. VS Verlag für Sozialwissenschaften, Wiesbaden

    Google Scholar 

  • Eisenegger M, Imhof K (2007) Das Wahre, das Gute und das Schöne. Reputations-Management in der Mediengesellschaft. fög discussion paper, 2007 (0001) pp 1–23

    Google Scholar 

  • Fombrun C (1996) Reputation. Realizing value from the corporate image. Harvard Business School Press, Boston

    Google Scholar 

  • Fombrun C (2001) Corporate reputation. Its measurement and management. Thexis, Vol 4 pp 23–26

    Google Scholar 

  • Fombrun C, Shanley M (1990) What’s in a name? Reputation building and corporate strategy. Academy of management journal, Vol 33 No 2 pp 233–258

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fombrun C, van Riel C (1997) The Reputational landscape. Corporate reputation review, Vol 1 No 1 pp 6–13

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fombrun C, van Riel C (2004) Fame and fortune. How successful companies build winning reputations. Financial Times Prentice Hall, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Forstmoser P, Herger N (2006) Managing reputational risk. A reinsurer’s view. The Geneva papers, Vol 31 No 3 pp 409–424

    Google Scholar 

  • Gaines-Ross L, Diamond J, Polansky H et al. (2007) Safeguarding reputation. Weber Shandwick, Vol 1 No 2

    Google Scholar 

  • Gaultier-Gaillard S, Louisot JP (2006) Risks to reputation. A global approach. The Geneva papers, Vol 31 No 3 pp 425–445

    Google Scholar 

  • Haywood R (2002) Manage your reputation. Kogan Page, London

    Google Scholar 

  • Helm S (2007) The role of corporate reputation in determining investor statisfaction and loyality. Corporate Reputation Review, Vol 10 No 1 pp 22–37

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Herbig P, Milewicz J, Golden J (1994) A model of reputation building and destruction. Journal of Business Research, Vol 31 No 1 pp 23–31

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Herger N (2006) Vertrauen und Organisationskommunikation. Identität – Marke – Image – Reputation. VS Verlag für Sozialwissenschaften, Wiesbaden

    Google Scholar 

  • Huang YH (2006) Crisis situations, communication strategies, and media coverage. Communication research, Vol 33 No 3 pp 180–205

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ingenhoff D (2004) Corporate Issues Management in multinationalen Unternehmen. VS Verlag für Sozialwissenschaften, Wiesbaden

    Google Scholar 

  • Ingenhoff D (2007) Integrated Reputation Management System (IReMS): Ein integriertes Analyseinstrument zur Messung und Steuerung von Werttreibern der Reputation. PR-Magazin, No 7

    Google Scholar 

  • Ingenhoff D, Sommer K (2007) Does Ethical Behaviour Matter? How Corporate Social Responsibility Contributes to Organizational Trustworthiness. Paper presented at the 57th Annual Conference of the International Communication Association (ICA)

    Google Scholar 

  • Jones G, Jones B, Little P (2000) Reputation as reservoir: Buffering against loss in times of economic crisis. Corporate Reputation Review, Vol 3 No 1 pp 21–29

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Klenk V (2005) Der ignorierte Kontrollverlust der Corporate Communications. In: Köhler T S (ed) Public Relations – Perspektiven und Potenziale im 21. Jahrhundert. VS Verlag für Sozialwissenschaften, Wiesbaden, pp 99–108

    Google Scholar 

  • Köhler T (2006) Krisen-PR im Internet. Nutzungsmöglichkeiten, Einflussfaktoren und Problemfelder. VS Verlag für Sozialwissenschaften, Wiesbaden

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Kohring M, Görke A, Ruhrmann G (1996) Konflikte, Kriege, Katastrophen. Zur Funktion internationaler Krisenkommunikation. In: Meckel M, Kriener M (eds.) Internationale Kommunikation. Eine Einführung. Westdeutscher Verlag, Opladen

    Google Scholar 

  • Krystek U (2006) Krisenarten und Krisenursachen. In: Hutzschenreuter T, Griess-Nega T (eds) Krisenmanagement. Grundlagen – Strategien – Instrumente. Gabler, Wiesbaden, pp 41–66

    Google Scholar 

  • Lerbinger O (1997) The crisis manager. Facing risk and responsibility. Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, Mahwah

    Google Scholar 

  • Löffelholz M, Schwarz A (2008) Die Krisenkommunikation von Organisationen. Ansätze, Ergebnisse und Perspektiven der Forschung. In: Thießen A, Nolting T (eds) Krisenmanagement in der Mediengesellschaft. Potenziale und Perspektiven der Krisenkommunikation. VS Verlag für Sozialwissenschaften, Wiesbaden, pp 23–37

    Google Scholar 

  • Lyon L, Cameron G (2004) A relational approach examining the interplay of prior reputation and immediate response to a crisis. Journal of public relations re-search, Vol 16 No 3 pp 213–241

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Milewicz J, Herbig P (1994) Evaluating the brand extension decision using a model of reputation building. Journal of Product & Brand Management, Vol 3 No 1 pp 39–47

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mitroff I, Pearson C, Harrington K (1996) The essential guide to managing corporate crises. A step-by-step handbook for surviving major catastrophes. Oxford University Press, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Müller R (1986) Krisenmanagement in der Unternehmung. Vorgehen, Maßnahmen und Organisation. Lang, Frankfurt a.M.

    Google Scholar 

  • Neef D (2005) Managing Corporate Reputation and Risk. A Strategic Approach Using Knowledge Management. Butterworth-Heinemann, Oxford

    Google Scholar 

  • Nguyen N, Leblanc G (2001) Image and reputation of higher education institutions in students’ retention decisions. The International Journal of Educational Management, Vol 15 No 6 pp 303–311

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nolting T, Thießen A (2008) Krisenmanagement in der Mediengesellschaft. In: Nolting T, Thießen A (eds) Krisenmanagement in der Mediengesellschaft. Potenziale und Perspektiven der Krisenkommunikation VS Verlag für Sozialwissenschaften, Wiesbaden

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Parks T (2008) The rise and fall of donor funding for the advocacy NGOs: under-standing the impact. Development in Practice, Vol 18 No 2 pp 213–222

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Penrose J (2000) The role of perception in crisis planning. Public Relations Review, Vol 26 No 2 pp 155–171

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Post J, Griffin J (1998) Corporate reputation and external affairs management, Vol 1 No 1 pp 165–171

    Google Scholar 

  • Rayner J (2003) Managing reputational risk. Curbing threats, leveraging opportunities. John Wiley & Sons, West Sussex

    Google Scholar 

  • Ronneberger F (1977) Legitimation durch Information. Econ, Düsseldorf

    Google Scholar 

  • Röttger U, Preusse J (2008) Issues Management. In: Nolting T, Thießen A (eds) Krisenmanagement in der Mediengesellschaft. Potenziale und Perspektiven der Krisenkommunikation. VS Verlag für Sozialwissenschaften, Wiesbaden

    Google Scholar 

  • Ruth J, York A (2000) Framing information to enhance corporate reputation: The impact of message source, information type, and reference point. Journal of Business Research, Vol 57 No 1 pp 14–20

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schütze T, Rennhak C (2005) Die Wirkung der Unternehmensreputation auf Anlageentscheidungen. Munich Business School Working Paper, 2005, Vol 15

    Google Scholar 

  • Schwaiger M (2004) Components and parameters of corporate reputation – an empirical study. Schmalenbach business review, Vol 56 No 1 pp 46–71

    Google Scholar 

  • Seeger M, Sellnow T, Ulmer R (2003) Communication and organizational crisis. Praeger Publishers, Westport

    Google Scholar 

  • Seemann R (2008) Corporate reputation management durch corporate communications. Cuvillier Verlag, Göttingen

    Google Scholar 

  • Stephens K, Malone P C, Bailey C (2005) Communicating with stakeholders during a crisis. Evaluating message strategies. Journal of business communication, Vol 42 No 4 pp 390–419

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Steward G (2006) Can reputation be “managed”? The Geneva papers, Vol 31 No 3 pp 480–499

    Google Scholar 

  • Tucker L, Melewar T (2005) Corporate reputation and crisis management. The threat and manageability of anti-corporatism. Corporate reputation review, Vol 7 No 4 pp 377–387

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wiedmann K P, Böcker C (2005) Corporate reputation in different service industries. Results of an empirical study in Germany. Services Systems and Services Management, Vol 2 No 1 pp 1528–1535

    Google Scholar 

  • Yoon E, Guffey H, Kijewski V (1993) The effects of information and company reputation on intentions to buy a business service. Journal of Business Research, Vol 27 No 3 pp 215–228

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2009 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Thießen, A. (2009). Crisis management in the media society – Communicative integrity as the key to safeguarding reputation in a crisis. In: Klewes, J., Wreschniok, R. (eds) Reputation Capital. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-01630-1_14

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics