Timothy Coombs | University of Central Florida (original) (raw)

Papers by Timothy Coombs

In day-to-day operations, organizations are susceptible to a variety of events that can create a ... more In day-to-day operations, organizations are susceptible to a variety of events that can create a crisis situation. These events can range from disasters causing damage to property and loss of life, accidents that may destroy a production plant and harm the environment, to unethical executives who make questionable decisions for monetary gain. Such crises can damage the reputation of the organization and can induce negative responses from angry stakeholders.

On March 14, 2006 an African-American woman accused three white Duke University lacrosse players ... more On March 14, 2006 an African-American woman accused three white Duke University lacrosse players of gang rape. The woman, an exotic dancer, was hired to perform at an off-campus Duke lacrosse party (911 call lead 2006). The allegations triggered national outrage and accusations of white privilege and entitlement, but in April 2007 the lacrosse players were cleared of all charges (Kilgore 2007).

Abstract Understanding perceptions of crisis situations is important to developing appropriate cr... more Abstract Understanding perceptions of crisis situations is important to developing appropriate crisis responses. Given that visual images commonly appear with online and traditional media reports, we should explore their effects on crisis responsibility and other variables associated with perceptions of crises. Three image conditions (victim image, neutral image, and no image) were compared.

Abstract The growing demand for corporate social responsibility requires corporations to find way... more Abstract The growing demand for corporate social responsibility requires corporations to find ways to establish their social legitimacy and communicate that legitimacy to others. We use the term social legitimacy marker to denote words and actions that serve to communicate a corporation's social legitimacy to others. One option for corporations can use to" prove" their claims of social responsibility is utilizing support from recognized third party groups involved with a specific social issue.

Abstract A situational crisis communication theory (SCCT), which articulates the variables, assum... more Abstract A situational crisis communication theory (SCCT), which articulates the variables, assumptions, and relationships that should be considered in selecting crisis response strategies to protect an organization's reputation, is advanced. Although various studies taking a situational approach have touched on certain of the theory's variables and relationships, this study represents the first attempt to articulate and begin to test a situational theory of crisis communication.

This chapter begins with the proposition that crisis communication is the most important element ... more This chapter begins with the proposition that crisis communication is the most important element of crisis management. While planning is valuable, a well-crafted plan will fail without effective crisis communication. Furthermore, effective crisis communication can help to overcome some of the problems faced when there is no crisis management plan.

References 724 The Journal of Higher Education suring Up report. The Doyle chapter is particularl... more References 724 The Journal of Higher Education suring Up report. The Doyle chapter is particularly effective in pointing out the problems that may be introduced through state-level aggregation of institutional characteristics. Finally, in Chapter Six, Karen Paulson reviews the effort by three policy organizations to work together and develop a framework for creating a policy agenda for higher education.

This book outlines a communication-centred way of thinking about a corporation's potential relati... more This book outlines a communication-centred way of thinking about a corporation's potential relationships with CSR and with stakeholders. The authors hope that it can help provide a useful perspective and guidance on developing a workable process for those committed to bringing CSR initiatives to fruition in a meaningful way. The core of the book is The CSR Process Model with most of the chapters developing a particular stage of the process.

Traditional marketing has been using the Internet in attempts to create “buzz” or “viruses” to pr... more Traditional marketing has been using the Internet in attempts to create “buzz” or “viruses” to promote products. The point of viral/buzz marketing is to have a central message picked up and distributed by e-fluencials (online opinion leaders) and/or average consumers.

Theory building is a process of discovery. The process includes understanding why and how variabl... more Theory building is a process of discovery. The process includes understanding why and how variables are related to one another. From this information comes the ability to predict and even to prescribe behaviors. For crisis managers, it is invaluable to understand how various elements in a crisis affect people's perceptions of a crisis and reactions to crisis communication efforts. Situational crisis communication theory (SCCT) was developed to yield just such insights (for a review of the theory, see Coombs 2007b).

Increasing interest in crisis communication has begun to reveal its close connection with the all... more Increasing interest in crisis communication has begun to reveal its close connection with the allied fields of risk communication, issues management, reputation management, and disaster communication. The purpose of this chapter is to outline the connections between these allied fields. The connections serve as points for guiding the research and understanding of crisis communication. It also serves to establish crisis communication's place within the larger venues of public relations and corporate communication.

Organizations frequently find themselves in situations we would define as a crisis. Consider but ... more Organizations frequently find themselves in situations we would define as a crisis. Consider but a few examples: Union Carbide's devastating chemical release in Bhopal; Carrefour suffering from protests at its stores in China because of French attacks on the Olympic torch relay; customers experiencing E.

Motivation and work …, Jan 1, 1991

Corporate Reputation Review, Jan 1, 2007

Institute for public relations, Jan 1, 2007

Managing, and Responding Thousand Oaks (CA): …, Jan 1, 1999

Responding to crisis: A rhetorical approach to crisis …, Jan 1, 2004

Questia Home Search the library Browse the library Read Workspace. Responding to Crisis: A Reheto... more Questia Home Search the library Browse the library Read Workspace. Responding to Crisis: A Rehetorical Approach to Crisis Communication. Read/Write Review. Search Inside This Book. View Checked Search Results. Members Also Read These. Shared Notes On This Item. ...

Handbook of communication and …, Jan 1, 2004

Media accounts of the political power of seniors commonly portray them as dominating the policy-m... more Media accounts of the political power of seniors commonly portray them as dominating the policy-making process. The following quotes are typical of media descriptions of the power of senior interest groups:“There may be a more feared special interest organization in Washington than AARP. But no one has the same capacity to ﬁll congressional mailbags or jam the switchboards as does this 33-million member big business”(Hall, 1995, p. 4); senior interest groups are “the 800-pound gorilla” of politics (Mufson, 1990, p. A1);“Championing ...

Public Relations Review, Jan 1, 2008

Journal of Public Relations Research, Jan 1, 1992

Public relations professionals generally consider issue management to be one of the primary ways ... more Public relations professionals generally consider issue management to be one of the primary ways in which public relations helps organizations to participate in the process of determining public policy. I view issue management as a competitive process in which an organization attempts to gain support for its position on issues. The theoretical concept of legitimacy as a resource vital for issue managers attempting to gain support is developed. In short, I theorize that members of publics will not support the position of an organization ...