From Image Restoration to Renewal: Approaches to Understanding Postcrisis Communication

Abstract

Crisis communication is a burgeoning field with multiple exigencies for managing crisis situations. This article provides an examination of the major developments in the diverse and dynamic area of crisis response discourse, paying particular attention to the role of communication in managing crises. Among the frameworks discussed, the discourse of renewal (DR) is positioned as an alternative and extension of the available strategies for crisis response. Finally, we describe implications for crisis communication research based on the application of this new framework.

Keywords:

• Crisis
• Renewal
• Image Restoration
• Crisis Response Strategies

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank Dr. Robert R. Ulmer, for his comments on earlier drafts.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Matthew W. Seeger

Matthew W. Seeger (Ph.D. Indiana) is Professor and Chair in the Department of Communication at Wayne State University. His teaching and research is in the area of crisis communication, organizational communication, and ethics

Donayle R. Griffin Padgett

Donyale R. Griffin Padgett (Ph.D. Howard University) currently serves as Assistant Professor in the Department of Communication at Wayne State University (WSU), where she has worked since 2002. She teaches classes in of diversity, organizational communication, and communication and culture