Strategic Public Relations: Managing Communication DuringCrisis – A Case Study of the 2016 IUP Facultyand Staff Strike
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.14419/93f6xp93Published
25-03-2026Keywords:
Faculty Strike; Crisis Communication; Stakeholder Prioritization; Situational Crisis Communication; Higher EducationAbstract
This study examines the 2016 Faculty Strike of the Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP) and identifies the communication approaches and responses that were adopted by IUP to address the nature of the crisis, fix the reputational damage, and rebuild trust with stakeholders in the post-strike phase. The study also explored how IUP identified and prioritized stakeholders based on salience. As for the theoretical framework, the study used Situational Crisis Communication Theory (SCCT) to understand how IUP aligned its crisis communication strategies with SCCT. As for the methodology, this study employed a case study and thematic analysis methods. The findings of this study indicated several key elements that characterized IUP’s crisis communication strategies. The alignment of IUP’s crisis communication strategies with SCCT was evident. This research contributes to the academic conversations on crisis communication and public relations and can also serve as a valuable resource for institutions seeking to promote their crisis management and communication practices in the face of complex and multifaceted challenges that define the modern landscape of higher education.
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