19886: Crisis-Driven Transformation In Organizations

Organizations increasingly find themselves navigating an array of crises—from economic recessions and public health emergencies to environmental catastrophes—that challenge their operational integrity and strategic objectives. Crises are defined as significant, disruptive events that precipitate a state of instability and force organizations to respond rapidly to restore equilibrium. In recent years, a growing body of research has explored organizations operating in crisis contexts, illuminating how they manage uncertainty, adapt roles, and engage in institutional work amidst challenging conditions. However, this work remains fragmented across diverse theories and concepts, limiting opportunities for synthesis and impeding the development of a cohesive understanding of crises and their broader implications for organizations and organizing. During this PDW, established scholars will reflect on their experiences and share lessons learned from conducting research in crisis contexts, including methodological challenges, theoretical insights, and ethical considerations. Workshop participants get the opportunity to delve into specific topics in more depth through the personal takes of experienced scholars as well as the roundtable discussions with peers. In this PDW, we aim to: 1) bring together scholars studying crises from different perspectives contexts to consider how we can develop a more rich and robust understanding of organizing in times of crisis, 2) contribute to the development of a community of management scholars interest in studying crises, 3) provide participants with the opportunity to learn from and to engage with established scholars who have experience with conducting research in the context of crises.