Foundations, phases, and mechanisms

Abstract

This research addresses a highly significant and timely subject: crises and the methods for managing them. The modern era has become saturated with crises and disasters, which now constitute a defining characteristic of contemporary organisations, regardless of their activities, in an ever-changing, dynamic environment. These crises increasingly threaten the continuity of organisational operations, jeopardising their survival and their ability to continue providing services and achieve their core objectives unless they manage crises effectively at all stages, before, during, and after their occurrence. Consequently, the current question is no longer whether a crisis will occur but rather what actions an organisation should take when one arises. Moreover, these concepts have become systematically and practically applied in many countries through explicit programmes and well-defined management and response plans. This development is an inevitable outcome of the evolution of crises and disasters and of their increasing frequency. As such, organisations are now compelled to prioritise crisis response and develop mechanisms to adapt to unexpected, sudden changes.