Image repair discourse and crisis communication

1997/06/01 by William L. Benoit · 6 citations
Social Sciences · Business, Management and Accounting · #Public Relations and Crisis Communication #Management and Organizational Studies #Corporate Identity and Reputation #Crisis communication #Communication theory #Public relations #Political science #Media studies #Sociology #Epistemology #Communication #Philosophy

paper · doi:10.1016/s0363-8111(97)90023-0

openalex publication_date 1997/06/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/04

Abstract

This article describes the theory of image restoration discourse as an approach for understanding corporate crisis situations. This theory can be used by practitioners to help design messages during crises and by critics or educators to critically evaluate messages produced during crises. I begin by describing and illustrating the basic concepts in this theory. Then, I offer suggestions for crisis communication based on this body of theory and research. William L. Benoit is Associate Professor of Communication, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO.

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