Preparedness vs. improvisation

ǂa ǂresponse to the Covid-19 crisis in Slovenia

Anica Ferlin (Author), Marjan Malešič (Author), Janja Vuga (Author)

Abstract

Crisis response planning can never fully prevent a certain amount of improvisation given that, in some cases, it is necessary, if not even desirable. This article analyses the research question on the relationship between crisis planning and improvisation in theory and with respect to the Covid-19 epidemic in Slovenia. Despite existing systemic recommendations, normative and to some extent operational crisis preparedness, our analysis of the country's response reveals improvisation in several key elements: planning, decision-making, coordination and crisis communication. The quite considerable improvisation seen with the epidemic is the outcome of its unexpected dimensions, the absence of a comprehensive crisis management plan, and individual actors' insufficient crisis management competences. It has been reflected in the establishing of specialised ad hoc structures, overnight decisions and their sudden reversals, and often in inconsistent and inappropriate communication with the public.

Keywords

Covid-19;Epidemije;Krizno upravljanje;Krizno komuniciranje;Odločanje;Slovenija;

Data

Language:	English
Year of publishing:	2021
Typology:	1.01 - Original Scientific Article
Organization:	UL FDV - Faculty of Social Sciences
UDC:	005.931.11:616-036.22(497.4)
COBISS:	81134595
ISSN:	0040-3598
Views:	35
Downloads:	8
Average score:	0 (0 votes)
Metadata:

Other data

Secondary language:	Slovenian
Secondary title:	Pripravljenost proti improvizaciji
Secondary abstract:	Načrtovanje odziva na krizo ne more v celoti izključiti improvizacije, ki je v določenih primerih nujna in celo zaželena. Prispevek analizira raziskovalno vprašanje o razmerju med kriznim načrtovanjem in improvizacijo v teoriji ter v primeru odziva na epidemijo Covida-19 v Sloveniji. Kljub normativni urejenosti, obstoječim sistemskim priporočilom in določeni meri operativne pripravljenosti na krize naša analiza odziva razkriva improvizacijo v njegovih ključnih prvinah: načrtovanju, odločanju, koordinaciji in kriznem komuniciranju. Sorazmerno obsežna improvizacija je bila odraz nepričakovanih razsežnosti epidemije, neobstoja celovitega načrta za odziv in pomanjkanja kompetenc za krizno upravljanje pri posameznih akterjih. Odražala se je v ad-hoc ustanovljenih strukturah, odločitvah, sprejetih prek noči, in njihovih nenadnih spremembah ter pogosto tudi v nedoslednem in neprimernem komuniciranju z javnostjo.
Secondary keywords:	Epidemics;Crisis management;Crisis communication;Decision making;Slovenia;
Type (COBISS):	Article
Pages:	str. 632-651, 693
Volume:	ǂLetn. ǂ58
Issue:	posebna št.
Chronology:	sep. 2021
DOI:	10.51936/tip.58.specialissue.632-651
ID:	16137656