Communicating crisis: How culture influences image repair in Western and Asian Governments

Publication Type

Conference Proceeding Article

Publication Date

6-2010

Abstract

Purpose– The purpose of this paper is to seek to understand the differences in image repair strategies adopted by two governments that operate in the Western and Asian societies when faced with similar crises.Design/methodology/approach– Textual analyses are presented of communication of Hurricane Katrina and Typhoon Morakot by the Taiwanese and US governments, respectively.Findings– Faced with similar accusations of slow response, the Asian culture, represented by the Taiwanese Government, used predominantly mortification and corrective action strategies. The Western culture, represented by the US Government, used predominantly bolstering and defeasibility and a mixed bag of other strategies such as shifting the blame and attack the accuser.Research limitations/implications– A limitation of the study is that it depends on news reports, instead of news releases and speeches, for analysis. However, given the rapidity and volatility in the unfolding drama of each of the two crises, many of the comments made were to the media and not in prepared speeches. It is a limitation the authors accept.Practical implications– Strategies reflected Hofstede's uncertainty avoidance and power distance dimensions. These dimensions should be considered when designing communication strategies in different cultures so as to be culturally sensitive and relevant.Originality/value– Few, if any, studies on image repair theory have addressed the role of culture in strategies used. This study fills the gap by integrating Hofstede's cultural dimensions theory.

Keywords

Case studies, Communication management, Crisis management, Cross‐cultural management, National cultures, Rhetoric, Disaster management, Government policy, United States of America, Taiwan

Discipline

Human Resources Management | Organizational Behavior and Theory

Research Areas

Corporate Communication

Publication

Proceedings of the 9th Conference on Corporate Communication, Wroxton College/Wroxton Abbey Wroxton, England, UK, 2010 June 4-7

First Page

190

Last Page

207

City or Country

Wroxton College/Wroxton Abbey Wroxton, England, UK

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