Citation

Heath R. Safety Sci. 1998; 30(1-2): 209-221.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1998, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Crisis managers need to deal with special interest groups who place pressure on organizations over their performances and work procedures. Pressure groups can stimulate some crisis situations (for example, the Nestle milk products boycott, the Brent Spar oil storage platform disposal crisis). Because the media is interested in gaining stories that attract audiences (Sherman, 1989) the media can also act as a pressure group. Scanlon and Alldred, 1982 find the media invade a disaster site and make extensive demands on communication and transport facilities. Should the media or pressure group publicly identify an employee or organization as a "bad guy" the this identification has a disproportionate effect to the actual circumstances (Meyers and Holusha, 1986). Those dealing with these groups consequently need to understand the motivations of these groups and need to be seen to be open, honest, consistent between statements and actions, and demonstrate a willingness to resolve the issues raised by the pressure groups.