Degree
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Department
Manship School of Mass Communication
Document Type
Dissertation
Abstract
This study uses a mixed-method design to examine how moral violations impact crisis perceptions. Crises created through organizational moral misconduct generate severe negative consequences. Negative consequences include negative emotional evaluations, negative word of mouth, and loss of support. Crisis communication seeks to reduce negative outcomes for individuals, the organization, and the community at large. There is a lacuna of research on the ways moral violations impact crisis assessments and reputational interests. Past crisis research focused primarily on negative emotional effects of anger, with limited research into contempt and disgust. Extending crisis emotional research, this study investigates how moral violations by organizations impact the experience of moral emotions, specifically moral anger, moral contempt, and moral disgust. Study one utilizes an experiment to examine how organizational moral violations impact crisis assessments, moral emotions, along with negative behavioral outcomes. Study two utilizes in-depth interviews to investigate perceptions of organizational response strategies in a moral integrity-based crisis. Study one found empirical evidence of a moral integrity-based crisis. The data found that moral integrity-based crises are present when the organization has clearly violated their moral standards. Moral emotional reactions will be generated, including moral anger, contempt, and disgust, along with negative word of mouth, and a potential loss of support. Study two found that rebuilding response strategies needed to be updated to better fit the distinct crisis category. The analysis found that appropriate rebuilding responses included an initial apology, actively accepting responsibility, and corrective measures which were ongoing. Through restorative efforts, however, organizations can reestablish their good name and standing within their communities.
Date
7-17-2026
Recommended Citation
Swartz, Christine, "CRISIS COMMUNICATION AND MORAL EMOTIONS – PERCEPTIONS OF AN INTEGRITY-BASED CRISIS" (2026). LSU Doctoral Dissertations. 7189.
https://repository.lsu.edu/gradschool_dissertations/7189
Committee Chair
Grimm, Josh
LSU Acknowledgement
1
LSU Accessibility Acknowledgment
1