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Organizational Theory and the Stages of Risk Communication
Author(s) -
Chess Caron
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
risk analysis
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.972
H-Index - 130
eISSN - 1539-6924
pISSN - 0272-4332
DOI - 10.1111/0272-4332.211100
Subject(s) - legitimacy , isomorphism (crystallography) , risk communication , business , risk management , risk analysis (engineering) , organizational communication , risk perception , adaptation (eye) , organizational theory , communication theory , knowledge management , environmental resource management , computer science , economics , political science , psychology , perception , management , chemistry , finance , neuroscience , politics , crystal structure , law , crystallography , communication
The evolution of risk communication has been described as a series of communication strategies. This article suggests that organizational theory provides another dimension to understanding the evolution of risk communication, and that risk communication can be seen as an organizational adaptation of chemical manufacturers to external pressure. Following the tragedy in Bhopal the chemical manufacturing sector's loss of legitimacy led to destabilization of its authority and to increased uncertainty in its external environment. Risk communication was one means to increase legitimacy, thereby decreasing uncertainty and potential impact on resources. However, although risk communication may evolve from crises of legitimacy, the concept of “isomorphism”—conformance to norms within a corporate sector—predicts this need not be the case.