Research and theory on the problem
The Deepwater horizon oil spill can be considered as one of the event which had directly impacted the sector of the petroleum industry. The main sector which lead to the event was that there was an outstanding explosion which had directly resulted in the killing of more than 11 people. The main impact which the event encountered was that until the activity relating to the sealing of the oil well was done it had already spilled more than 750 million gallons of crude oil into the sea. The damaged which was produced from the event can be stated quite considerable for the British Petroleum [8]. The company in the event had faced two issue simultaneously which was the largest oil spill in the history of the US and the reputational and financial losses.
The report majorly puts focus on the incident which is related to the case study of the British petroleum. The main focus would be on the event which mainly occurred and the consequence which lead due to the event and the impact it had on the overall domain of the industry.
The main research area which focused on the sector as the acceleration and the multiplication of the crises which was seen in the last decades. The main sector which was focused was the crises management and nowadays it can be stated to be one of the factors which lead to the event. Crises can be stated to the event which can be directly be linked to the demand and the quick reaction and the interfaces with the organizational performance [1]. The concept which is related to the crises communication can be defined by different researchers as a stages in the sector of the research and the orientation of the sector of the working which is related to the British petroleum. In most of the cases it can be stated that these event majorly impact a whole area of access and it can directly impact the sector of the life which is prevailing into the sector of the working and it can directly degrade the quality of the life which is seen in the sector.
On the contrast it can be stated that there are different proactive crises related to the communication approach and it can directly argue that organizations will be more prepared to take control of the different mechanism [9]. In the near future it can be stated that there should be any other sector of implementation of such event which can lead to serious type of problem in the connection of the event which is seen in the case study [3]. Hence it can be stated that precaution should be one of the sector which should be taken into focus so that this type of event in the near future can be managed and so that the overall ecosystem would be maintained and control. Moreover, it can be stated that the concern in the sector can be directly be related to the aspect.
Specific theory – Scientific and engineering
Crisis is an event which tends to occur when their demand for quick reaction takes place. It can easily interfere with the various organizational performance which is brought by it. Crisis communication can be defined as the method of managing the outcome, effect and lastly perception of any crisis. Even in the prior to the disaster of Deepwater horizon. BP is considered to be very much familiar with various disaster and scandals [9]. The seven failure are highlighted in the BP crisis communication failure that is first concern of pre-event planning. Deepwater horizon disaster is considered to be tangible proof prior to crisis. BP environmental strategy was part a green washing. BP has never embraced a safety culture which has never any kind of emergency plan. The plan was not prepared to deal with a situation and does not make any kind of effort for avoiding the crisis.
The second failure is all about relating to expressing concern and empathy for various victims along with various stakeholders. The initial message was made by organization where crisis can occur due to public influence. Public opinion is all about crisis along with organization which handles the events. BP was nether quick or not accurate and consistent with respect to accident. In the initial stage both the message and response can easily a lot of harm to its image and reputation [7]. BP is mainly accused for understanding slow acknowledge with respect to initial and it does not respond quickly. The organization is considered to be slow for expressing the concern and full apology to various victims which are mainly affected by spill.
The third stage is all about relating to failure to the spokesperson along with identification and its preparation. When a crisis takes place, the crisis leader that is spokesperson come up with a central role in building trust. Leader also have a role in understanding the organization sustaining trust and its credibility among with the stakeholders. As a result, both negligence and arrogance the famous statement are not prepared for a crisis.
Root Cause Analysis is a well-known method for solving the aim along with identifying the main or root cause for various problems. RCA is totally based on certain number of principles by which problem can be easily solved by making changes in the root cause. It can easily oppose to another method which can address the main symptoms of any problem [2]. By the help of corrective action, various kind of underlying causes can be easily addressed so that the effect of the problem can be easily minimized.
Specific theory – Risk and management
Root cause analysis method is considered to be a well-known tool which can be used for continuous improvement. If it is used for the first time, then it can be a reactive method of identifying and solving large number of problems. It means that the analysis can be performed after the problem which has taken place. By understanding the root cause analysis, it can be easily change from the reactive mode to proactive method. It can be easily analyzing the large number of problems [10]. There are large number of tools which can be used for process and philosophy which is developed on the basis of Root cause analysis.
There is large number process behind the root cause analysis like:
- Defining the problem
- Collecting the data and various evidence and lastly classifying
- Always putting the question
- Classifying the main cause within the casual factors behind it.
- Thinking about the corrective measures which can be needed for improving the whole measures
- Thinking of effective solution which is needed for preventing the occurrence.
- Implementation of solution.
- Monitoring the effectiveness of the implemented solution.
In the current case of crisis communication failures, effective risk management and engineering tools are applicable. In the present scenario analyzing the potential towards exposure of risk issues are helpful to find sensitivity towards risk [1]. Next the risk cultures are to be found out. This must have made on qualitative terms as the entire scenario is the “susceptibility towards risk” can be achieved through a wider overview . The strengths, weakness, opportunities and threats are to be done to seek the proper activities that must be considered.
For instance, the PERT or Program Evaluation and Review Techniques are the project scheduling methods for representing and analyzing the activities included in completing the current project. This should include duration variability of the activities and depending on same ideas as the “critical path method”. More precisely, various elements are needed to assess PERT project network that are to be demonstrated. Here, measuring the activity durations has been estimating on the basis of three types of input measures [11]. This is the activity variance and averages and average critical paths are also to be determined. Besides, the use of central limit theorem is to done with the presence of normal distribution.
Further the SWOT analysis should indicate the threats and strengths. This should be done through expanding the current good relations with various local present to issue the vital information. This must be done quickly during the incident. The strengths and opportunities must be developed of the current risk management system for achieving the top position in protecting the scenario [9]. The weaknesses and threats would help to improve the procedures of managerial availabilities. Lastly, the opportunities and weaknesses are helpful to realize opportunities to get informed risk management tasks.
Besides, the probability simulations would furnish the decision makers with various possible results and different probabilities would take place for any action. Thus it highlights the extreme possibilities.
Conclusion
Thus the report has effectively demonstrated the crisis communication failures for BP Deepwater Horizon. BP was initially ignoring the roles of crisis communication before and after the crisis. The study provides the significant developments to the present crisis communication at the organization. Further, the discussion has shown crisis communication at BPO as a proactive function instead of reactive one. Different relevant researchers are highlighted and the study helps in understanding the theories of the problems. Here, specific theories like scientific and engineering and risk and management are presented. The report has made a bridge of understanding the theories solutions and case evidences.
References
[1] Coombs, W. Timothy. Ongoing crisis communication: Planning, managing, and responding. Sage Publications, 2014.
[2] Fearn-Banks, Kathleen. Crisis communications: A casebook approach. Routledge, 2016.
[3] Frandsen, Finn, and Winni Johansen. Organizational crisis communication: A multivocal approach. Sage, 2016.
[4] Heide, Mats, and Charlotte Simonsson. “Developing internal crisis communication: New roles and practices of communication professionals.” Corporate Communications: An International Journal 19.2 (2014): 128-146.
[5] Olsson, Eva?Karin. “Crisis communication in public organisations: Dimensions of crisis communication revisited.” Journal of Contingencies and Crisis management 22.2 (2014): 113-125.
[6] Oostinga, Miriam SD, Ellen Giebels, and Paul J. Taylor. “‘An error is feedback’: the experience of communication error management in crisis negotiations.” Police Practice and Research 19.1 (2018): 17-30.
[7] Ruff, Peter, and Khalid Aziz. Managing communications in a crisis. Routledge, 2016.
[8] van der Meer, Toni GLA, and Joost WM Verhoeven. “Emotional crisis communication.” Public Relations Review40.3 (2014): 526-536.
[9] Voinea, D. V., et al. “Embarrassments in managerial communication.” Polish Journal of Management Studies 11 (2015).
[10] Wang, Yan. “Brand crisis communication through social media: A dialogue between brand competitors on Sina Weibo.” Corporate Communications: An International Journal21.1 (2016): 56-72.
[11] Yum, Jung-Yoon, and Se-Hoon Jeong. “Examining the public’s responses to crisis communication from the perspective of three models of attribution.” Journal of Business and Technical Communication 29.2 (2015): 159-183.