The Impact of Strategic Planning on Crisis Management

: A Study on the UAE Oil and Gas Sector

Abstract

Purpose - Crisis management is becoming a source of emphasising the opportunities by an organisation, and strategic planning assesses threats by broadly focusing on the organisation. Perception is a dynamic force, that is, a crisis becomes so once it is perceived as one. Through this lens, a crisis is socially constructed; bringing uncertainty and disruption to both organisations and individuals and is largely the outcome of a series of events. The study aims to uncover the impact of strategic planning on crisis management within oil and gas organisation. In particular, the study focuses on ADNOC as a sample to represent organisations in the UAE oil and gas sector. Hence, to assess the impact of participants’ perceptions on strategic planning and crisis management.

Design/methodology/approach - The study has followed the quantitative research approach, adopted deductive approach, positivism philosophy, and descriptive analytical technique. The survey questionnaire design was selected for statistical analysis, and both descriptive and inferential statistical tests were performed to get insights from the collected data. Thus, the primary data collection investigates the extent of 500 participants’ perception of strategic planning and crisis management practices and its multi-layered significant implications.

Findings/discussion - The extent of participants’ perceptions was relatively high; the analysis of respondents’ perceptions revealed that strategic planning accounts for 86.1% of the variation in crisis management in ADNOC, recognising that other unaccounted factors might influence crisis management. The study conceptual framework took into consideration a third variable, personal and functional factors, that significantly affect both strategic planning and crisis management. The researcher chose to apply a strategic tool (SWOT) to undertake an analysis and synthesis of the secondary data and the primary quantitative data; to generate a series of robustly determined set of strategic recommendations in light of the research results to benefit policymakers and practitioners in ADNOC, oil and gas sector, and UAE as a whole.

Delimitations/limitations - This study assessment is delimited to capture the perceptions of ADNOC’s employees, internal stakeholders, which are located in the UAE only. Perception is central to separating a crisis from an accident, as crisis imbues an emotional, sociocultural, and practical aspect. From this lens, defining, and by proxy responding to, a crisis is inclusive of geographical and cultural dimensions and considerations. Future research might employ the findings of this research to expand or navigate another context.

Contribution/implications - The study has been found significant from theoretical and practical perspectives; the contributions are original, meaningful, and valuable in adding newness to the studied topic. The study recommendations informed intervention strategies to foster organisational culture and employ sensemaking as a way of creating a resilient planning process.

Date of Award	2024
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	Aberystwyth University