Episode 15 of 25:Krisehåndtering: Environmental disasters and strategic environmental reporting

In this episode, we explore Chapter 15 of the anthology Crisis Management edited by Tore Hafting (2017), written by Even Fallan. The chapter provides valuable insights into how companies strategically use environmental reporting to handle crises following environmental disasters. It focuses on the infamous cases of the Bhopal disaster (1984) and the Exxon Valdez oil spill (1989) to illustrate how corporate environmental reporting is used to maintain legitimacy and manage reputational risk after catastrophic events.

We discuss:

• What are environmental disasters?

• The Bhopal and Exxon Valdez cases: Impact, corporate responses, and financial consequences.

• Strategic environmental reporting: How companies use communication to maintain legitimacy after a disaster.

• Legitimacy theory: How organizations seek to align with societal norms and expectations to survive crises.

• Environmental reporting strategies: Different approaches companies use based on Lindblom's four legitimacy strategies.

• Challenges in environmental reporting: Lack of transparency, selective reporting, and the dominance of positive information.

• The role of the media: How media attention impacts corporate environmental reporting.

• Research findings: How environmental reporting increases significantly after environmental disasters, both for the directly involved companies and for others within the same industry.

• Lessons learned: Why environmental reporting should not only be seen as a regulatory requirement but also as a strategic tool in crisis management.

This episode highlights that environmental disasters are not only ecological tragedies but also communication crises, and that environmental reporting often becomes a crucial part of a company’s survival strategy.

Disclaimer:This podcast is an independent, AI-generated educational resource and is not affiliated with or officially endorsed by Even Fallan, Tore Hafting, or Vigmostad & Bjørke. While we strive to present accurate information, we do not take responsibility for any errors, omissions, or misinterpretations. Listeners are encouraged to refer to the original book "Crisis Management" for a comprehensive understanding.

Source:Hafting, T. (ed.) (2017). Crisis Management. Vigmostad & Bjørke AS.