Citation

von Wartburg WP. Ind. Crisis Q. 1989; 3(4): 303-318.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1989, Industrial Crisis Institute - Bucknell University)

DOI

10.1177/108602668900300403

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Political issue management is becoming increasingly important as the reper cussions of criticized industrial behavior and practices are of growing conse quence to corporate success. Political issues are those that have an impact on a large part of the population and involve widespread personal experience. They are attractive for broad media coverage and they are suitable for address by politicians, legislators and public interest groups. State-of-the-art political is sue management is the application of common sense to difficult situations of public concern. It draws on elements of strategic planning and crisis manage ment. This paper presents a 16-step process for the management of issues with prominent political features. Broadly characterized, the process involves anal ysis, evaluation and response. It is based on the strategic deployment of cor porate resources related to obtaining change, gaining influence or engaging in negotiation. When practised as recommended, political issue management can improve any situation in which a company or industry is confronted with a potentially volatile political issue.