Date of Award
5-2010
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Arts (MA)
Legacy Department
Professional Communication
Committee Chair/Advisor
Williams, Sean D
Committee Member
Taylor , Summer S
Committee Member
Holmevik , Jan V
Abstract
The current economic crisis has adversely affected companies and organizations throughout our nation and around the globe. One of the industries hit hardest by the unprecedented downturn was the banking industry. During these critical times, these companies have a responsibility to communicate information to stakeholders about the economy's impact on financial results, operations, and future plans. The following research study describes how four major companies within the banking industry communicated with external stakeholder groups about the economic crisis. Specifically, I analyzed how these companies communicated with external stakeholder groups and whether their communications revealed instances of strategic ambiguity. Using Kathy Charmaz' (2006) grounded theory model to expand upon Eric M. Eisenberg's (1984) theoretical definition of strategic ambiguity, I determined that banks relied heavily upon strategic ambiguity as a communication strategy to help them make sense of the economic crisis.
Recommended Citation
Tarbet, Stephanie, "Communicating During an Economic Crisis: An Examination of the Use of Strategic Ambiguity Within the Banking Industry" (2010). All Theses. 784.
https://open.clemson.edu/all_theses/784