The IABC Handbook of Organizational Communication: A Guide to Internal Communication, Public Relations, Marketing, and Leadership

Defining Crisis

Taking a step back, it is useful to set the scene by first defining what a crisis is. The International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) describes a crisis as an event, revelation, allegation, or set of circumstances that threatens the integrity, reputation, or survival of an individual or organization. It challenges the public's sense of safety, values, or appropriateness. The actual or potential damage to the organization is considerable and the organization cannot, on its own, put an immediate end to it.

Generally speaking, it is commonly agreed among today's crisis management academics and practitioners that there are two broad categories of crises: sudden and smouldering.

According to the Institute of Crisis Management ...