Framing Crises: Response Patterns to Explosions in Fireworks Factories

In: Administration & society, Volume 36, Issue 5, p. 594-614

Abstract

This article investigates the primary response patterns of officials in the early days after a crisis occurs, in this case regarding explosions in fireworks factories, happening all over the world and often having grave consequences in terms of deaths and damage. It argues that misframing is rather the norm than the exception. The article hypothesizes that the most likely outcome of crisis is that nothing changes because the event closes more windows than it opens. This is contrary to previous crisis research in which it is claimed that crises offer a window of opportunity for change.