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The trembling arena of rhetorics during crises: How internal communication is positioned in relation to the external dimension

Tilanus, Cathelijne Dirk Iréne Maria LU (2025) SKOM12 20251
Department of Strategic Communication
Abstract (Swedish)
This thesis explores the positioning of internal crisis communication in relation to external communication, specifically within the context of governmental crisis response. Guided by the case of the Lebanon crisis in 2024, this study investigates how crisis experts from a European Ministry of Foreign Affairs interpret internal communication across the three phases of crises, drawing on the Rhetorical Arena Theory. Through thirteen semi-structured interviews with professionals from the communications, consular, and crisis coordination departments, this research identifies how internal and external strategies interact, overlap, and evolve throughout crisis stages. The performed thematic analysis revealed three core insights: (1.) Internal... (More)
This thesis explores the positioning of internal crisis communication in relation to external communication, specifically within the context of governmental crisis response. Guided by the case of the Lebanon crisis in 2024, this study investigates how crisis experts from a European Ministry of Foreign Affairs interpret internal communication across the three phases of crises, drawing on the Rhetorical Arena Theory. Through thirteen semi-structured interviews with professionals from the communications, consular, and crisis coordination departments, this research identifies how internal and external strategies interact, overlap, and evolve throughout crisis stages. The performed thematic analysis revealed three core insights: (1.) Internal and external communication strategies are symbiotic, porous, and adapted towards the stakeholder landscape; (2.) Sub-arena dynamics within the rhetorical arena are shaped by the intensity, direction, and tone of stakeholder voices; (3.) Internal communication shifts in function and visibility across crisis phases. By focusing on the public crisis communication domain and incorporating internal perspectives, this thesis contributes to a deeper understanding of communicative complexity and advocates for more nuanced integration of internal voices in crisis communication strategy development. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Tilanus, Cathelijne Dirk Iréne Maria LU
supervisor
organization
alternative title
A qualitative study on interpretations of Ministry of Foreign Affairs crisis experts
course
SKOM12 20251
year
type
H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
subject
keywords
crisis communication, internal communication, Rhetorical Arena Theory, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, qualitative research
language
English
id
9204468
date added to LUP
2025-06-23 13:41:21
date last changed
2025-06-23 13:41:21
@misc{9204468,
  abstract     = {{This thesis explores the positioning of internal crisis communication in relation to external communication, specifically within the context of governmental crisis response. Guided by the case of the Lebanon crisis in 2024, this study investigates how crisis experts from a European Ministry of Foreign Affairs interpret internal communication across the three phases of crises, drawing on the Rhetorical Arena Theory. Through thirteen semi-structured interviews with professionals from the communications, consular, and crisis coordination departments, this research identifies how internal and external strategies interact, overlap, and evolve throughout crisis stages. The performed thematic analysis revealed three core insights: (1.) Internal and external communication strategies are symbiotic, porous, and adapted towards the stakeholder landscape; (2.) Sub-arena dynamics within the rhetorical arena are shaped by the intensity, direction, and tone of stakeholder voices; (3.) Internal communication shifts in function and visibility across crisis phases. By focusing on the public crisis communication domain and incorporating internal perspectives, this thesis contributes to a deeper understanding of communicative complexity and advocates for more nuanced integration of internal voices in crisis communication strategy development.}},
  author       = {{Tilanus, Cathelijne Dirk Iréne Maria}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{The trembling arena of rhetorics during crises: How internal communication is positioned in relation to the external dimension}},
  year         = {{2025}},
}