Decision-Making in Crisis Situations

Introduction

Whether environmental, economic, social, health or humanitarian, a crisis is a complex phenomenon that requires a management strategy specific to each situation. A crisis arises after a sudden and unexpected triggering event, and is characterized by rapid changes that require optimal cooperation between various participants who are faced with a stressful situation. How the crisis is managed impacts how it unfolds.

It is therefore a matter of anticipating events and making decisions, most of which are urgent and crucial, and may need to be made on the basis of contradictory requirements, while facing a context of structural disruption. The complexities of managing a crisis situation can be seen as “a set of factors aimed at combating crises and reducing the actual damage suffered, while aiming to prevent or mitigate the negative effects of the crisis and protect the organisation, managers and/or the industrialist” (Coombs et al. 2010).

Decisions are made at different levels: the strategic level corresponds to the description of the aims and objectives set in order to deal with the crisis and concerns the decision-making structures; the tactical level is linked to the organization of field operations with a view to implementing the strategies drawn up; and the operational level executes and implements the resources relating to the organization of field operations. The crisis unit is thus the central instrument in the strategic management of the crisis, essential ...