Non-Governmental Organizations in Crisis

Are NGOs more vulnerable in crises than, for example, profit organizations, and are integrity violations (compared to competence crises) more damaging for non-governmental organizations (NGO’s) than for profit organizations? In this study we address these questions using a 2x2 experimental design within the context of the Situational Crisis Communication Theory. Our results show that integrity crises are more damaging to organizations than competence crises. Moreover, the NGO appears to emerge from the crisis more successfully than the profit organization. Interaction effects were absent. Mediation analyses show that the effects of crisis were not mediated by crisis responsibility. This strongly contradicts the SCCT.