Crisis Communication Analysis
Sharon Denise Carter
Professor Kirstin Leighton-Lucas, J.D.
JWI 505: Business Communication and Ethics
December, 13 2015
Provide an overview of the organization’s crisis situation and the ethical implications.
General Motors experienced a faulty ignition switch defect on its vehicles that caused the death of thirteen GM vehicle owners. The result of this crisis situation forced General Motors to recall over 8.23 million majority older vehicles which were a result of the deaths involved. Further, General Motors was aware of the ignition switch but ignored the problem for over a ten-year period (GM Expands Ignition Switch Recall. n.d.).
Consider the organization’s mission, vision, values, and culture.
According to General Motors their mission, vision, values and culture begins with their core values of integrity, individual respect as well as responsibility. General Motor states “all corporate activities are measured against these values” (General Motors | About GM | GM.com).” General Motors claim they put their values to practice by their winning with integrity internal guidelines for employee conduct (General Motors | About GM | GM.com).
How well did the organization communicate during the crisis?
General Motors communication during their crisis with their faulty ignition switch defect was very poorly communicated. The CEO Mary Barra and other GM executives failed at successful communication to all stakeholders involved in the faulty ignition switch defect. During this bad time for General Motors stakeholder communication is vital for General Motors to recover successfully (Nader, R. 2009, July 29).
Were open lines of communication established?
General Motors did very little to open the lines of communication with stakeholders during this crisis situation. General Motors communication was limited to case by case basis and generic limited information explaining the crisis to...