Reconceptualising 'crisis' in crisis communication: a typology of research to date and directions for the future - eco-systems, consciousness and communities

The paper conceptualises what a ‘stakeholder turn’ might mean in crisis communication and, further, what that might mean for conceptions of ‘crisis’ in crisis communication research, traditionally defined as non-routine events, especially linked to media high-interest. To do so, we firstly trace the development of crisis communication research to date using an integrative narrative review of the literature, noting how the body of ‘crisis knowledge’ has developed from informal beginnings through empirically-driven, theory-based research. We visualise our review across several spectra. We then question how well served by current definitions a true ‘receiver’ focus in crisis communication research is. We suggest that terms such as crisis consciousness, contagion and communities be introduced into the ‘receiver-focused’ research agenda and introduce the notion of a crisis eco-system. Finally, we offer a conceptual map of existing and potential stakeholder crisis communication research - again using a spectra approach - to provide clarity for both our own longer term project and for those who similarly may be seeking to contribute research focused on the ‘receiver’ in crisis.