Attribution Theory: Crisis Management Literature Review

Introduction

Communication theory is a broad concept that explains the production of information on

how it is transmitted and how the message is conveyed. The theory views communication as an

integral part of the modern age activities and businesses (McDermott, 2009). In an organization’s

decision-making process, the formulation of laws and regulations require effective

communication (Sherry, 2019). Attribution theory is a concept concerned with how to explain

courses of events and behavior. It also examines gathered information and how it is combined to

form a casual judgment and explanation events. Attribution theory is a significant factor in

workplaces concerned with perceived causes of failure and success. This theory intends to help

people know the reasons for their actions and attribute causes of behavior (McDermott, 2020).

This literature review aims to analyze how communication and attribution theory help in dealing

with workplace crisis management.

Discussion

When an emergency occurs in the workplace, effective planning and a quick reaction are

required. A crisis leads to a non-conducive environment to perform effectively. Crisis

management is a complicated factor requiring intervention from the employees and the

leadership structure (Honigmann, Mendy, & Spratt, 2020). There are various types of crises that

can occur in an organization. They include terror attacks, technological emergencies, natural

disasters, violence, confrontation, organization misdeeds, and disease outbreaks (Coombs, 2007).

These crises are a threat to the organization’s operations and management, and therefore, prompt

measures should be introduced. This paper reviews the implementation of communication and

attribution theory in dealing with the COVID-19 crisis.

ATTRIBUTION THEORY: CRISIS MANAGEMENT LITERATURE REVIEW 3

The COVID-19 pandemic has set an unprecedented nature that has caused one of the

most abrupt disruptions of the decade. Workplaces are the most affected, reeling with fear and

uncertainty due to its tremendous effects (Honigmann et al., 2020). Furthermore, the disease

could represent the ultimate test of resiliency for companies. Dealing with a crisis requires

strategic planning coupled with effective policies to mitigate its impact. In tackling the COVID-

19 crisis, both internal and external communication is a vital factor. COVID-19 is an infection

that quickly spreads from one person to another, causing strained health conditions and death.

This is a threat to the work employees and brutal to the economy. Strategic planning should be

done before the crisis to facilitate ease of crisis mitigation. When a disaster occurs,

communication should be well established in the work environment (Coombs, 2017). An

organization can publicize the plight in websites to attract support from the external

environment. In the internal environment, intranet sites can be used to ensure a smooth flow of

information. COVID-19 is transmitted faster because of its capability to thrive on a surface for a

long time (Charoensukmongkol & Phungsoonthorn, 2020). If a COVID-19 case is reported in the

workplace, the sites will enable direct access of the information, and preventive measures are

taken to prevent further transmission.

Attribution theory is a concept that is very effective in dealing with COVID-19 in the

workplace. The approach provides the validity of the question “why,” which helps develop a

course of action (McDermott, 2009). The facets of the crisis influence the attributions and

reputations held by stakeholders. Understanding the stakeholders in the workplace, therefore,

improves post-crisis communication. When COVID-19 is reported in a workplace, crisis

management is likely to perceive the event’s cause is internal. Through the attribution theory, the

employees can explain the cause of the crisis relating to some factors that can be mitigated.

ATTRIBUTION THEORY: CRISIS MANAGEMENT LITERATURE REVIEW 4

Conclusion

In conclusion, human beings are prone to assigning causes of actions depending on the

situation. This is a significant factor in crisis management as it facilitates developing an effective

mitigation plan. Through communication theory, a crisis can be evaluated and appropriately

managed. Therefore, it is safe to say that communication and attribution theory intervention

effectively deal with a severe situation like COVID-19 in the workplace.

ATTRIBUTION THEORY: CRISIS MANAGEMENT LITERATURE REVIEW 5

References

Charoensukmongkol, P., & Phungsoonthorn, T. (2020, July 21). The effectiveness of supervisor

support in lessening perceived uncertainties and emotional exhaustion of university

employees during the COVID-19 crisis: the constraining role of organizational

intransigence. The Journal of General Psychology. DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1080/00221309.2020.1795613

Coombs, T. (2017). Crisis communication. In M. Allen (Ed.), The sage encyclopedia of

communication research methods (Vol. 1, pp. 291-293). Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE

Publications, Inc DOI: 10.4135/9781483381411.n108

Coombs, W. T. (2007). Attribution Theory as a guide for post-crisis communication research.

Public Relations Review, 33(2), 135–139. https://doi-

org.ezproxy.umgc.edu/10.1016/j.pubrev.2006.11.016

McDermott, V. (2009). Attribution theory. In S. W. Littlejohn & K. A. Foss (Eds.), Encyclopedia

of communication theory (Vol. 1, pp. 61-63). Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications,

Inc. DOI: 10.4135/9781412959384.n23

Honigmann, D., Mendy, A., & Spratt, J. (2020, June 26). Communications get personal: How

leaders can engage employees during a return to work. Retrieved August 21, 2020, from

McKinsey & Company: https://www.mckinsey.com/business-functions/organization/our-

insights/communications-get-personal-how-leaders-can-engage-employees-during-a-

return-to-work

Thompson, S. (2019). Attribution Theory. Salem Press Encyclopedia. Retrieved from:

https://search-ebscohost-

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