Documente Academic
Documente Profesional
Documente Cultură
Session: 2014-2018
Govt. Post Graduate Islamia College for Women, Cooper Road Lahore
Acknowledgement
The accomplishment of this research project would not have been possible without the dedication, inventiveness
and guidance provided by a number of people all through the study.
First and foremost I want to express my appreciation to my Teacher; Miss Amna Shahzadi for the academic
guidance she accorded me in every stage of this research project. The wealth of knowledge in academic writing
attained through this collaboration is precious.
I also want to thank my good friends for proof reading this research. It is never easy to go through pages of
such writing in a field we are not familiar to. However as friends they made this happen while providing
positive feedback.
Finally, to my family for their continuous encouragement and support, without which I would not have been
able to concentrate and complete this research.
Thanks you
Dedication
This research project has been moderately satisfying and delightful to conduct. However this would not have
been possible without the encouragement and sacrifices of time made available to myself by my family. I
therefore dedicate this research project to my whole family.
I also dedicate this research to my mother who taught me at a very tender age to always aim higher in my
academic searches. This research is an important innovation in this journey. To my mother also for the
discipline that came in convenient in keeping with the constricted timelines for this study.
Lastly, to my loving friends for their encouragement and feedback. May the completion of this study be an
inspiration to you to strive for success in all that you do in your life.
Table of Contents
Chapter No. 1
Introduction
1. Introduction
1.1. Problem Statement
1.2. Research Objectives
1.3. Definitions of Variables
1.3.1. Crisis Communication
1.3.2. Cultural Influences
1.4. Importance
1.5. Research Questions
Chapter No. 2
Literature Review
2. Literature Review
2.1. Background
Chapter No. 3
Theoretical Framework
3. Theoretical Framework
3.1. Cultural Influences depends on Crisis Communication
3.2. Hypothesis
Chapter No. 4
Research Methodology
4. Research Methodology
4.1. Research Design
4.2. Population
4.3. Sample
4.4. Data Collection
4.5. Data Analysis
Chapter No. 5
Descriptive Statistics
5. Descriptive Statistics
5.1. Demographic Statistics
5.1.1. Demographic Profile of Respondents
5.2. Descriptive Summary
5.3. Reliability Analysis
5.4. Correlation Analysis
Chapter No. 6
Conclusion
6. Conclusion
6.1. Discussion
6.2. Conclusion
6.3. Limitations
6.4. Recommendations & Suggestions for future Research
References
Appendix
Abstract
This study implemented an interpretive social science approach with an egalitarian perspective. It explores the
relationship between culture and crisis communication. The researcher created a fictitious organizational crisis,
then surveyed participants to gather their insights and guidance as they related to organizational response. The
literature reviewed in this study provides detailed examination of crisis and culture. It calls for examination of
how the two impact one another in communication settings. Survey questions were derived from Hofstede’s
dimensions of cultural variability, which was the theoretical framework for this study. Efforts were made to
include broad participation and incorporate simple random probability samples. The findings were supportive of
Hofstede’s theory, as the survey responses generally fell in line with the cultural characteristics described in his
theory. Specific examples are provided. Future research should test the findings in a broader capacity to
continue examination of the relationship between crisis and culture.
Chapter No 1
1. Introduction:
This study implemented an interpretive social science approach with free perspective. It explores the
relationship between culture and crisis communication. The researcher created a made up organizational
crisis, then surveyed participants to gather their insights and guidance as they related to organizational
response. The literature reviewed in this study provides detailed examination of crisis and culture. It
calls for examination of how the two impact one another in communication settings. Survey questions
were derived from Hofstede’s dimensions of cultural variability, which was the theoretical framework
for this study. Efforts were made to include broad participation and incorporate simple random
probability samples. The findings were supportive of Hofstede’s theory, as the survey responses
generally fell in line with the cultural characteristics described in his theory. Specific examples are
provided. Future research should test the findings in a broader capacity to continue examination of the
association between crisis and culture.
Organizations managing a crisis often times negate or disregard the important power of culture. Culture
can be addressed both within an organization and outside of the organization. Culture can mean crossing
national boundaries. Crisis communication plans should account for cultural variables. As our world
becomes more globally connected and organizations expand their business to new region, the issue of
cross-cultural crisis communications needs to be addressed as part of organizational growth and
development. Public relations efforts convey organizational values, norms, and perspectives that work to
hold together the overall organization (Falkheimer & Heide, 2007). A crisis can take place anywhere at
any time. It can involve conflicts within one culture or complications with any number of other cultures.
Stakeholders can perceive a crisis as insignificant or extremely detrimental. Awareness can be swayed
with proper planning and organizational insight. A plan that addresses current and future organizational
concerns can prove to be an invaluable tool in times of organizational crisis. Global public relations
practitioners must collaborate with each other to pull together resources, ideas, and strategies that are
dispersed in different organizations around the world.
2. Is cultural variability still applicable given the communication medium developments of the
last two decades?
3. Can global generalization regarding culture develop a best practice method for crisis
communication plans?
Chapter No 2
2. Review of Literature:
2.1. Background:
This study will utilize cultural variability and social constructionism as the basis for understanding the impact
culture plays in crisis communication efforts. Hofstede’s original work (1980, 1983) established basic criteria
for describing five different cultural characteristics. It provides a multicultural viewpoint to crisis and
organizational management. The five dimensions of cultural variability result from data collected in fifty
countries around three regions of the world (Hofstede, 1980, 1983). This work is not without criticism, as it
breaks culture down to a form that some scholars argue is just too simplistic to encompass an entire culture. For
the purposes of this study, it serves as an excellent tool to address and group large audience perception and
constructed reality.
10 A social constructionist perspective on crisis events emphasizes communication and the social construction
of reality. Social constructionism states that social interaction processes are important in the never-ending
construction of reality. Social constructionism emphasizes the role that people have in enacting a social reality,
and the importance of language in the process (Gergen, 1998). According to social constructionism, language is
not a passive medium that conveys reality. The sense making processes are affected by general undertakings, the
member’s perceptual capability, and their expectations (Weick, 1988). Since history has shown that crisis
management is largely based on audience perception, it only makes sense to rely on social constru Summary of
the Literature Crisis management theorists have become increasingly stylish in suggesting that the nature of
crisis responses can vary considerably.
Heath (1997) emphasize that responses should be selected based upon the severity of the crisis. Coombs (1994)
contend that different crisis responses are proper depending upon the locus of responsibility for the crisis
(internal-external) and the controllability of the cause (intentional-unintentional). Different responses are
appropriate, based whether the crisis involves blunder, accident, transgression or terrorism (Coombs, 1994).
Crisis management theorists have become increasingly difficult in suggesting that the nature of crisis responses
can vary considerably. Heath (1997) emphasizes that responses should be selected based upon the severity of
the crisis. Coombs (1994) contend that different crisis responses are appropriate, depending upon the locus of
responsibility for the crisis (internal-external) and the controllability of the cause (intentional-unintentional).
Different responses are appropriate, based whether the crisis involves faux pas, accident, transgression or
terrorism (Coombs, 1994). 19 Literature regarding the impact of culture in crisis communications largely relies
on Hofstede’s theory of cultural variability as a measurement tool.
Researchers have emphasized a need for further exploration into the impacts of culture in crisis
communications, especially in a variety of global environments and circumstances searching and understanding
of crisis communications has laid a foundation for examining crisis plans and responses. The three stages of
crisis development along with the organizational response requirements provide a blue print for how
organizations should act in a crisis situation. By applying Hofstede’s dimensions of cultural variability to
current crisis communication plans, the crash and considerations of cultural variables should surface.
Crisis: The communication between the organization and its public prior to, during, and after the negative
occurrence
Social Constructionism: social interaction processes which create a never-ending construction of reality
Cross-Cultural Communication: communication from one culture to another culture
Chapter No 3
3.1Theoretical framework:
Independent variable Dependent variable
3.3 H0; There is significance different between Crises Communication and Cultural Influence .
H1; There is no significance different between Crises Communication and Cultural Influence
Chapter No 4
4. Methodology
4.1. Research methodology:
This chapter describes the scope and methodology of this study. It includes what has been included and
excluded in the course of this study. The chapter examines the scope of the research. It builds a full
understanding of how and why participants were selected for the study. It also addresses what may be missing
in the study. This understanding is followed by a description of the methodology used in the study. The
methodology explains how and why the study chose a quantitative survey type method to answer the research
questions addressed in chapter 2. This explanation of methodology allows for a systematic approach to the
analysis, conclusion, and implication sections presented in the final chapters of this research paper.
4.3. Population:
The target population for this research is all the sectors of the Punjab for data relating to crisis communication
and cultural influence. The cultural influences used are yearly averages while for crisis communication it will be
numbers for Punjab.
4.4. Sample:
The sampling frame was based on time series annual data of the independent and dependent variables. This
sampled based on available data for real effective cultural influences on crisis communication. The sample is
Lahore city from the whole Punjab.
5. Data Analysis:
Descriptive statistics are recycled to investigate the records, all in determination to examine the influence and
relation among cultural influences to crisis communication in Punjab. The data is collected through
questionnaires. The investigation used the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) to assessment the
consequence of the correlation of the variables.
Statistics
Valid 50 50 50 50
N
Missing 0 0 0 0
Mean 1.3400 3.4000 1.4600 1.3600
Median 1.0000 4.0000 1.0000 1.0000
Mode 1.00 4.00 1.00 1.00
Std. Deviation .62629 .83299 .50346 .48487
Variance .392 .694 .253 .235
Range 3.00 3.00 1.00 1.00
Reliability Statistics
.640 .670 11
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
1 1
2 -.072 1
3 -.115 .157 1
4 -.022 .038 .086 1
5 -.155 .348 .356 .215 1
6 -.087 .390 .469 .132 .424 1
7 -.100 .508 .459 .210 .640 .583 1
8 -.045 .177 .182 .232 .236 .355 .321 1
9 -.429 .512 .048 .046 .348 .351 .338 .309 1
10 -.559 .338 .107 .117 .424 .541 .417 .300 .772 1
6. Conclusion:
6.1. Discussion:
In this chapter, conclusions are strained from the analytical results of the earlier chapter and endorsements made
to notify any future policy intended at appealing crisis communication while considering the dominant cultural
influences in Punjab. The boundaries to this research project are also emphasized with reference of areas for
further study to subsidize the knowledge on crisis communication causes in Punjab and better comprehend the
relationship between cultural influences and crisis communication.
6.2. Conclusion:
From this research we conclude that that the influence of cultural influences on crisis communication is
inconsequential in Punjab. We also reminder that the relationship between the two variables is confident hence
we conclude that a growth in cultural influences in contradiction of foreign currencies indications to an growth
in crisis communication influence is weak. However other research procedures can be applied in future
researches to see if this conclusion is constant.
6.3. Limitations:
This study did not aspect the consequence of time insulated data for cultural influences in expressions of how
long it takes for crisis communication to answer of such influences. Communicators are known to be
hypothetical and would want to attack when they can make proceeds. This study would have influenced in
displays to see their correlations in light of crisis communication. However due to the time constrictions this
research was inadequate to a bivariate study.
References:
Barnett, G.A., & Lee, M. (2002). Issues in intercultural communication research. In W.B. Gudykunst &
B. Mody (Eds.), Handbook of international and intercultural communication, 2nd Ed., 275-290.
Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
Barton, L. (1993). Crisis in organization: Managing and communicating in the heat of chaos.
Cinncinnati, OH: South-Western.
Barton, L. (2001). Crisis in organizations II (2nd Ed.). Cincinnati, OH: College Divisions South-
Western.
Blumler, J.G., McLeod, J.M., & Rosengren, K.E. (Eds.) (1992). Comparatively speaking:
Communication and culture across space and time. Newbury Park, CA: Sage Publications, Inc.
Coombs, W.T. (1998). Ongoing crisis communication: Planning, managing, and responding. Thousand
Oaks, CA: Sage.
Appendix:
Employee Commitment Engagement
Dear Sir/Madam,
I am the student of Govt. Post Graduate Islamia College for Women, Cooper Road Lahore, I am conducting
research on employee commitment intension and I assure you that your information will be kept personal.
This survey is conducted to obtain information that will help my research on “Employee Commitment
Engagement” and I also wanted to identify the wants and needs of organization’s employees.
Demographics:
Name: _______________________ Age: _____________ Qualifications: ______________
Gender: _____________ Marital Status: _____________ Experience: ________________