Crisis management planning and the threat of bioterrorism

With acts of bioterrorism increasingly garnering attention worldwide, the subject of crisis preparedness for organizations takes on added meaning. This study of 72 of Michigan’s largest corporations found that 70% of those surveyed had crisis management plans in place, but only 12% had plans that specifically dealt with bioterrorism. Awareness of bioterrorism, perceived seriousness and controllability, and perceived susceptibility were significant and positive predictors of willingness to develop a crisis management plan. This snapshot of crisis communication preparedness was taken during a critical time in American history—immediately following the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks and during the first reports of a death in the United States from an anthrax attack.