This editorial serves as an introduction to Media and Communication’s thematic issue Policy Framing and Branding in Times of Constant Crisis. Crises cast challenges for political actors and... Show moreThis editorial serves as an introduction to Media and Communication’s thematic issue Policy Framing and Branding in Times of Constant Crisis. Crises cast challenges for political actors and concurrently create opportunities for policymaking, public reflections, and political competition. In times of crisis, when it comes to communicating policymaking but also framing the crisis itself, issues close to political communication (including political marketing and political branding) become of paramount relevance. The eight articles of this issue cover a broad array of subjects, expanding the understanding of the relevance of communication when it comes to policymaking in times of crisis, through the lens of policy framing and policy branding. Show less
Kuipers, S; Perlstein, S.; Wolbers, J.; Jong, W. 2023
Communication has always been key to crisis management research, but even more so in recent years, from multiple disciplinary angles. In this bibliometric study and review of the literature, we aim... Show moreCommunication has always been key to crisis management research, but even more so in recent years, from multiple disciplinary angles. In this bibliometric study and review of the literature, we aim to identify different clusters of crisis communication research in the literature and whether and how much these crisis communication research clusters overlap. With different fields taking an interest in crisis communication, we ask ourselves where the interests of these fields overlap, and to what extent the different communities are aware of each other's work. Apart from offering an overview of topical clusters in crisis communication research and connections between those clusters of studies on crisis communication, we identify and explain two main approaches to crisis communication: a political or accusatory approach, and a functional or assistory approach. We conclude in our study and discussion that these approaches may need to broaden their research horizons to ensure the applicability of crisis communication strategies beyond the countries, media platforms, and audience orientations that have predominantly shaped the existing research landscape Show less
Online data breaches are recurrent and damaging cyber incidents for organizations worldwide. This study examines how organizations can effectively mitigate reputational damages in the aftermath of... Show moreOnline data breaches are recurrent and damaging cyber incidents for organizations worldwide. This study examines how organizations can effectively mitigate reputational damages in the aftermath of data breaches by hacking through situational crisis communication strategies. Comparable data breach crises do not have an equally negative impact on organizational reputation. Providing comprehensive and exhaustive guidelines, and detailed explanations about the incident to consumers helped to reduce the damage. Organizations that primarily relied on one single strategy, performed better than those that inconsistently blended strategies. Particularly denial was ultimately detrimental to organizational reputation. Self-disclosure allowed companies to positively influence media reporting. Social media communication did not play an important role in the response of the organizations involved. The consistent and timely adoption of compensation, apology and rectification strategies, combined with reinforcing strategies such as ingratiation and bolstering, positively influenced reputational recovery from the crisis. Show less
