Title: Perceived effectiveness of crisis management: the role of strategy and public participation

Authors: Omid Mahdieh

Addresses: Faculty of Humanities, Department of Management, University of Zanjan, Zanjan, 45371-38791, Iran

Abstract: In this research, the role of strategy and public participation in the perceived effectiveness of crisis management was investigated. Data were collected from a convenience sample of 310 participants with an online questionnaire and analysed using structural equation modelling. Crisis management strategy (CMS) and public participation (PP) had statistically significant associations with perceived effectiveness of crisis management (PECM). However, CMS had a considerably stronger association with the PECM than did PP. The findings indicate that not having a proper strategy is associated, in the participants' view, with ineffectiveness in managing crises, and citizens were not satisfied with the government's actions in managing crises. The results of this study suggest that governments need to match their crisis strategies and actions not only with crisis-ridden situations but also with citizens' expectations if they want to be effective in managing crises and mitigating hazards.

Keywords: crisis management; crisis strategy; crisis; proactive strategy; reactive strategy; public participation; perceived effectiveness of crisis management; post-crisis effectiveness; pre-crisis effectiveness; Iran; crisis management strategy.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEM.2025.154153

International Journal of Emergency Management, 2025 Vol.19 No.2, pp.69 - 89

Accepted: 20 Feb 2025
Published online: 15 Jun 2026 *

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