Specificity of the Crisis Communication Study in the Public Administration Field

The purpose of the research is to analyze the specificity of crisis communication study in the public administration field.

Research methodology. The methodological basis of the research involves the use of general scientific methods to study social phenomena and processes (analysis, synthesis, modeling, typologization, extrapolation, interpretation, abstracting, generalization, as well as methods of systemic, comparative, and structural-functional analysis).

Results. It is shown that the development of the state and society is constantly faced with crises of various nature and degree of consequences criticality. As a result of crisis manifestations (unpredictability of consequences, uncontrollability, instability), the need for effective communications of public authorities and society increases significantly. It was found that crisis communications in public administration should be characterized by a quick response to the situation; reliable provision of relevant information to interested groups; demonstrating the position of openness. Crisis communications management focuses on pre-crisis, crisis and post-crisis periods based on the collection, processing and dissemination of information for management decision-making. It was established that effective public management of crisis communications minimizes the time to eliminate the crisis, helps restore control over the situation, and strengthens social confidence in public authorities.

Novelty. The novelty of the research consists in establishing the features of crisis communications in the public administration system and defining approaches to crisis communications management.

Practical importance. The results of this study can be used as a basis for the formation of a public management system of crisis communications in order to increase the potential of public authorities in crisis periods.

Keywords: public administration, crisis situation, crisis communications, information and communication technologies.