Leading up to 2014, social media has exploded as a classification of online discourse where people build content, distribute it, save it and disseminate at a extraordinary rate. The primary characteristics of social media: ability to connector disseminates to the masses; remain engaged with the masses; have total undivided attention of the masses; and clearly give of itself to be an aide in supporting crisis management functions. This paper looks at the various categories of social media tools to understand how they can be utilized to enhance analytical and response capabilities of organizations for crisis management. The paper recognizes four main social media functions: information dissemination, disaster planning and training, collaborative problem solving and decision making, and information gathering, which are then mapped onto the three crisis management phases of preparedness, response and recuperation to describe how far social media tools may be used to enhance crisis communications. Crisis management is a critical organizational function that involves planning and dynamic incident response to situations as they unfold, often in unpredictable ways. The domino like effects of a crisis can weaken a country’s ability to operate effectively and may result in serious harm to its people, structures, assets and reputation. The introduction of a variety of social media tools has changed the landscape of crisis management considerably over recent years with possibilities for social action now becoming realities. With readily available software tools such as online discussion platforms and news aggregators, organizations can now disseminate, acquire and analyze information more efficiently and comprehensively. Even though social... ... middle of paper ... ...ner; While the immediacy of response has passed, the crisis recovery phase requires longer term planning and support to restore the situation back to normalcy. With increasingly more individuals using their mobile phones to go online worldwide, surpassing time spent on traditional media such as television, radio and print, it would be essential to carefully consider how social media applications can be incorporated into an integrated crisis management platform for effective crisis management. Leveraging social media technologies for crisis management provide citizens with a greater role in preparing for and managing crises which will help build resilient communities. Embracing resilience as a civic value and a social norm should ultimately be the way forward to encourage citizens to take the actions necessary to help themselves and others during times of crisis.
Crisis is an event that is unplanned, unwanted, and dangerous and leads to hard decision making. There are many different types of crisis such as economic crisis, mental health crisis, situational crisis, social crisis, adventitious crisis and many more. Every type of crisis affects people more than we think and know. There is always someone who loses and who gains during a crisis. People who lose are usually the ones who are affected the most such as losing a job, losing a family member or someone close to them, losing their homes and sometimes even their own lives. The people who gain are usually the rich people who prey on the poor and usually gain from making money and the poor’s lives miserable.
A strategic alliance with Dell has allowed ARC to implement a digital operations center for humanitarian relief in 2011 (ARC, n.d.). Social media (Facebook and Twitter) and smartphone applications have also been added to the organization’s communication arsenal as social media (Facebook and Twitter) and smartphone applications communication tools for advance storm tracking, crisis area developments and real time communications between ground crews and decision making management personnel (Zolkos, 2012).
Echterling, Presbury and McKee (2005) define crisis as a turning point in one’s life that is brief, but a crucial time in which, there is opportunity for dramatic growth and positive changes, as well as the danger of violence and devastation. They further state that whatever the outcome, people do not emerge from a crisis unchanged; if there is a negative resolution, the crisis can leave alienation, bitterness, devastated relationships and even death in its wake; on the other hand, if the crisis is resolved successfully a survivor can develop a deeper appreciation for life, a stronger sense of resolve, a mature perspective, greater feelings of competence, and richer relationships.
A crisis or emergency may be an incident, extreme climatic event, disease outbreak, security issue or any other event that poses a significant threat to:
Crisis is defined as a major, unpredictable event that has potentially negative results. The event and its aftermath may significantly damage an organization and its employees, products, services, financial condition and reputation. There are many types of crises, for example, economic crises, physical crises, personnel crises, criminal crises, information crises, reputation crises and natural crises. This incident has been grouped into physical crises, natural crises and economic crises. In order to prevent crises from adversely affecting the firm, organizations need effective plans and procedures in place to prevent crises if possible or to mitigate their effects when they do occur.
The University of Colorado arranged a report on Jefferson County Type III Incident Management Team’s use of social media communications and work practices during the Colorado Floods in September of 2013. During flood in the fall of 2013, Jefferson County decided to use social media as a means for quick and mass communication for people to receive information about weather emergencies. In this case study, the University of Colorado examined the team’s use of three social media outlets: Facebook, Twitter, and the team’s blog. The University of Colorado utilized a mix method approach of web-based social networking content examination and meetings, the University of Colorado depicts Jefferson County's online practices in connection to the necessities
A systemic crisis is a crisis in which the breadth of impact reaches many individuals within the system; for example, schools, businesses, entire communities, regions, or it may be worldwide. The individuals involved in a systemic crisis can become overwhelmed with the enormity of the situation and need physical and/or psychological assistance to regain control. Systemic crisis interventions require a combination of strategies working cooperatively together across multiple agencies to effectively address all potential needs of the victims. However, not all systemic crises are the same and require interventions that are specific to the systemic crisis category. The following paragraphs will give a brief description of a natural disaster
In the late Seventies, America became shocked and outraged by the rape, mutilation, and murder of over a dozen young, beautiful girls. The man who committed these murders, Ted Bundy, was later apprehended and executed. During his detention in various penitentiaries, he was mentally probed and prodded by psychologist and psychoanalysts hoping to discover the root of his violent actions and sexual frustrations. Many theories arose in attempts to explain the motivational factors behind his murderous escapades. However, the strongest and most feasible of these theories came not from the psychologists, but from the man himself, "as a teenager, my buddies and I would all sneak around and watch porn. As I grew older, I became more and more interested and involved in it, [pornography] became an obsession. I got so involved in it, I wanted to incorporate [porn] into my life, but I couldn’t behave like that and maintain the success I had worked so hard for. I generated an alter-ego to fulfill my fantasies under-cover. Pornography was a means of unlocking the evil I had burried inside myself" (Leidholdt 47). Is it possible that pornography is acting as the key to unlocking the evil in more unstable minds?
Ulmer, RR, Sellnow, TL & Seeger, MW 2007, Effective crisis communication, Thousand Oakes: Sage Publications.
Crisis management is an integral part of any company’s strategic planning not only to prepare but also to mitigate the effects of a crisis on business continuity. In this discussion, I will design a crisis communications plan for Etihad Airways, which is the company that I have worked at for the past eight years. I will follow the outline of describing the organization first, and then the communication management team and crisis communications team, and the relevant external and internal publics. Subsequently, I will describe the crisis communication policies, strategies, techniques, and tactics; and, the required resources and continuous evaluation that are needed.
The communication process is not something that begins when a crisis rears its ugly head rather it is a process that takes place in preparing for a crisis before it happens. While the term crisis represents a blanket term used to describe many situations, each situation is unique, thus presenting different obstacles to overcome. However, with a well-established advanced plan in place an organization places itself in a position to overcome and work around obstacles. The development of a comprehensive crisis management plan is one achieved through effective communication where each member of the crisis management team has an advanced shared understanding of his or her role and responsibility during a time of crisis (du Pr'e, 2005).
2) Limit the damage, and 3) restore credibility. Following these goals ensure a successful public relations plan for any organization. Crisis management definitely needs to be addressed in any organization. ? Although it is usually not a fun role for public relations manager. The.
Communication during crisis situations can be determined as the foundation in having a successful outcome. Without a high level of rapport and partnerships with other agencies and community organizations, communication can very much be restricted. The communications between the agency, and the individual or group, who are experiencing the crisis is essential to the de-escalation of the situation. Moreover, the agency community relationship hinders on agencies ability to effectively communicate the impact a situation may or may not endure. Furthermore, during these situations the public and the media will be heavily involved in trying to obtain information in-order-for them to take the appropriate steps to protect themselves (Personal Communication,
Social media sites including Twitter and Facebook are in their infancy yet play an increasingly important role in the response to a disaster. After all, “one of the basic tenants of emergency management is mass communication and being able to deliver pertinent information to those who need it” (Gould, 2012). Social media offers an avenue to obtain up to the minute information on a given situation right in an individual's hands thanks to the proliferation of mobile devices. “Each disaster sparks its own complex web of fast-paced information exchange. It can both improve disaster response and allow affected populations to take control of their situation as well as feel empowered” (Maron, 2013). While traditional forms of media, print, radio and television in particular, have been the standard since the inception of the emerg...
After a massive powerful storm hit the northern Illinois service area of electric utility Commonwealth Edison on July 11, 2011, more than 900,000 customers were left without power during a hot, humid summer. ComEd crews and assistances from other states worked for days afterward the storm to restore services. Meanwhile, the company’s months-old social media (eChannels) strategy was put to its first major test. Its social media strategy goal was to “ understand the customers – ask, listen and be responsive,” enhance and communicate ComEd’s brand,” and “develop a consistent communications message for customers, employees, stakeholders and regulators.” They also followed six-part approach to using social media - monitor, respond, analyze, market, share and collaborate. (Commonwealth Edison: The Use of Social Media in Disaster Response, Page 5 & 6.) The social media team/crew, part of ComEd’s customer operations division, worked around the clock to respond to posts from customers on Facebook and Twitter. Engaging directly through social media was a good way to display and strengthen their relationships with customers and the general public, which was consistent with its corporate goal: “Keep the lights on and information flowing.” (Page 2.) The crew also did good job on handling customer quires, answer each individual tweet, and continued working for two weeks to be sure all questions were answered, directin...