Becoming crisis-ready: A systematic literature review on corporate crisis readiness and the process to achieving it

Abstract

As global crises become increasingly complex and intertwined, crisis readiness has emerged as a pivotal factor for an organisation's survival. Despite a growing, interdisciplinary corpus of research underscoring the necessity for systematic crisis management and strategic communication, a comprehensive understanding of corporate crisis readiness and methodologies for its achievement remain elusive and inadequately addressed. To bridge this knowledge gap, we conducted a systematic literature review, meticulously analysing 7287 articles to identify 40 eligible studies from 1987 to 2022. Through inductive content analysis and narrative synthesis, we have delineated the concept of crisis readiness and devised a comprehensive 10-step process framework that organisations are advised to implement in preparation for potential crises. This investigation enriches the academic dialogue on crisis readiness by integrating insights from strategic management, crisis handling, organisational development, and learning theories. This offers a more nuanced understanding of how organisations can equip themselves for crisis situations. Additionally, our study sheds light on promising directions for future research in this vital field.