ABSTRACT
This chapter seeks to explain how organizations may actually contribute to their own crises, as well as what can be done to avert human-induced disasters, and to manage those that still occur. A framework is provided for executives interested in improving their organizations' crisis preparedness. Organizational crisis preparation begins with an understanding of the nature of a specific type of crisis. To appreciate the depth of preparations needed for effective crisis management, executives should examine their crisis capabilities across each of five organizational systems: technical, human factor, infrastructural, cultural, and emotional/belief. The cultural system of the organization at large reflects the emotional/belief system of senior executives mindsets. Managers and executives who evaluate and enhance their capabilities in each of the four major crisis management variables (types, phases, systems and stakeholders) do not regard their organizations as invulnerable. The chapter concludes with implications for managers and executives interested in taking action.
