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Internal Crisis Communication

Heide, Mats LU orcid and Simonsson, Charlotte LU orcid (2026)
Abstract
Internal crisis communication has long been undervalued compared to external communication, both in research and practice. Traditionally treated as a secondary, information‑driven activity, it is now gaining increased attention. Effective internal crisis communication is crucial not only for managing crises, but also for preventing secondary communication crises, supporting organizational learning, and fostering trust. Employees are not passive recipients but active communicators, sensemakers, and reputation carriers. Leadership and communication professionals play key roles in enabling dialogue, collaboration, and sensemaking across pre‑, during‑, and post‑crisis phases. A broader, process‑oriented perspective highlights communication as... (More)
Internal crisis communication has long been undervalued compared to external communication, both in research and practice. Traditionally treated as a secondary, information‑driven activity, it is now gaining increased attention. Effective internal crisis communication is crucial not only for managing crises, but also for preventing secondary communication crises, supporting organizational learning, and fostering trust. Employees are not passive recipients but active communicators, sensemakers, and reputation carriers. Leadership and communication professionals play key roles in enabling dialogue, collaboration, and sensemaking across pre‑, during‑, and post‑crisis phases. A broader, process‑oriented perspective highlights communication as constitutive of organizational response and resilience (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
and
organization
publishing date
type
Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding
publication status
in press
subject
host publication
The Encyclopedia of Crisis Management
editor
Sellnow, Deanna ; Freihaut, Rebecca ; Xu, Yi and Sellnow, Timothy
publisher
Edward Elgar Publishing Ltd.
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
71e10b2b-35a9-4b12-a40d-3cd8f76d61cb
date added to LUP
2026-06-10 11:23:37
date last changed
2026-06-11 10:10:16
@inbook{71e10b2b-35a9-4b12-a40d-3cd8f76d61cb,
  abstract     = {{Internal crisis communication has long been undervalued compared to external communication, both in research and practice. Traditionally treated as a secondary, information‑driven activity, it is now gaining increased attention. Effective internal crisis communication is crucial not only for managing crises, but also for preventing secondary communication crises, supporting organizational learning, and fostering trust. Employees are not passive recipients but active communicators, sensemakers, and reputation carriers. Leadership and communication professionals play key roles in enabling dialogue, collaboration, and sensemaking across pre‑, during‑, and post‑crisis phases. A broader, process‑oriented perspective highlights communication as constitutive of organizational response and resilience}},
  author       = {{Heide, Mats and Simonsson, Charlotte}},
  booktitle    = {{The Encyclopedia of Crisis Management}},
  editor       = {{Sellnow, Deanna and Freihaut, Rebecca and Xu, Yi and Sellnow, Timothy}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  publisher    = {{Edward Elgar Publishing Ltd.}},
  title        = {{Internal Crisis Communication}},
  year         = {{2026}},
}