“The glory of Theorizing Crisis Communicationis in its concise synthesis of multiple theoretical perspectives into overarching categories. Every major theory presented is accompanied by an insightful discussion of strengths and weaknesses. Sellnow and Seeger have crafted a text that should encourage researchers to examine crises from a variety of perspectives and inspire inquiry that ties research to practice.” (International Journal of Communication, 1 May 2014)
“This is not a handbook for a crisis practitioner, but a rich resource for those interested in the theoretical underpinnings of communication before, during, and after a crisis. Summing Up. Recommended. Upper-division undergraduate, graduate, and research collections.” (Choice, 1 September 2013)
“Laudable in its reach, comprehensive in its scope, and impressive in its implications, Sellnow and Seeger have made a remarkable contribution to our understanding of crisis communication as a theoretical construct.”
Keith Hearit, University of Western Michigan
“This book provides a successful distillation of the disparate works on crisis communication into a coherent field of study and practice. A must-read for scholars, practitioners, and students alike.”
Dennis Mileti, University of Colorado
“Sellnow and Seeger have added another clear, comprehensive, and useful statement on the foundations of crisis communication. Of special importance, they ground their book on the interconnections of crisis and risk which produces a powerful marriage of two robust bodies of research, theory and practice of communication and management.”
Robert Heath, University of Houston
From the Inside Flap
The inevitability of crises is a harsh reality of the world we live in. But while evidence suggests that crises and disasters—from earthquakes and infectious disease pandemics to oil spills and terrorist attacks—are occurring with increasing and alarming frequency, almost all of them can be more effectively managed. Theorizing Crisis Communication presents a comprehensive review and critique of a broad range of theoretical frameworks designed to explain the development, management, and consequences of natural and man-made crises. We know how crises such as the Japanese tsunami/Fukushima nuclear accident, the H1N1 pandemic, Hurricane Katrina, and the Exxon Valdez oil spill create widespread economic, political, and social harm, reduce public trust in institutions, damage the environment, and change basic beliefs, norms, and systems for managing risks. By incorporating the latest theoretical work from organizational studies, sociology, psychology, public relations, and public health, the authors reveal how this vast body of research offers important insights into the similarities, patterns, and relationships across different crises. Theorizing Crisis Communication is an essential tool for a comprehensive understanding of the onset, management, response, resolution, and ultimate meaning of these devastating world events.
From the Back Cover
The inevitability of crises is a harsh reality of the world we live in. But while evidence suggests that crises and disasters—from earthquakes and infectious disease pandemics to oil spills and terrorist attacks—are occurring with increasing and alarming frequency, almost all of them can be more effectively managed. Theorizing Crisis Communication presents a comprehensive review and critique of a broad range of theoretical frameworks designed to explain the development, management, and consequences of natural and man-made crises. We know how crises such as the Japanese tsunami/Fukushima nuclear accident, the H1N1 pandemic, Hurricane Katrina, and the Exxon Valdez oil spill create widespread economic, political, and social harm, reduce public trust in institutions, damage the environment, and change basic beliefs, norms, and systems for managing risks. By incorporating the latest theoretical work from organizational studies, sociology, psychology, public relations, and public health, the authors reveal how this vast body of research offers important insights into the similarities, patterns, and relationships across different crises. Theorizing Crisis Communication is an essential tool for a comprehensive understanding of the onset, management, response, resolution, and ultimate meaning of these devastating world events.
About the Author
Timothy L. Sellnow is Professor of Communication and Associate Dean for Graduate Studies in Communication at the University of Kentucky. Dr. Sellnow’s interdisciplinary research on risk and crisis communication appears in an array of refereed journals, handbooks, and edited volumes. He has also co-authored five books on risk and crisis communication. Dr. Sellnow frequently serves as a consultant for Fortune 500 companies in the food industry and government agencies such as the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) on risk and crisis communication planning.
Matthew W. Seeger is Dean of the College of Fine, Performing and Communication Arts and a Professor of Communication at Wayne State University in Detroit. His work on crisis, risk and communication has appeared in over 100 journal articles, book chapters, and conference proceedings. Seeger is the author or co-author of six books on organizational communication ethics and crisis and risk communication. Dr. Seeger also frequently serves as an advisor to the auto industry, manufacturing organizations and government agencies, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), on topics related to crisis management.
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