Conflict positioning in crisis communication: Impact of antecedent conditions on negotiation

• Main Authors: PANG, A., CAMERON, Glen T.
• Format: text
• Language: English
• Published: Institutional Knowledge at Singapore Management University 2022
• Subjects: contingency theory of strategic conflict management; image repair theory; crisis communication; negotiation; dual concern model; cylindrical model of communication behavior in crisis negotiations; Business and Corporate Communications
• Online Access: https://ink.library.smu.edu.sg/lkcsb_research/7014; https://ink.library.smu.edu.sg/context/lkcsb_research/article/8013/viewcontent/ncmr_543_pang_pvoa.pdf
• Institution: Singapore Management University

Organizations need to position themselves favorably in times of crisis. The conflict positioning conceptualization offers a framework for organizations to do so by integrating insights of crisis communication with negotiation through the following steps. First, understanding the factors that will affect an organization's ability to handle the crisis. Second, based on the influence of these factors, examine the stance the organization will adopt. Third, examine the strategies the organization will embrace. Four, the strategies adopted will impact the conflict property it aims to resolve which will in turn influence the negotiation approach and the relationship dynamics between the organization and its publics. Last but not least, how these will impact the tactics enacted. Ten propositions, based on examination of five a priori factors which have also been validated in other studies, are examined. This is followed by application of how conflict positioning can occur in two real-life cases. This framework offers practical applications and theoretical implications.