Toronto Metropolitan University
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Samsung’s crisis communication response: Ineffective response strategies across traditional and social media platforms

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posted on 2022-10-20, 18:02 authored by Bethlehem Dejene
When reports surfaced in 2016 of complications with Samsung’s latest product release, the Galaxy Note 7, Samsung faced a significant threat to its corporate image. This MRP explores Samsung’s traditional and social media crisis responses to the explosions of consumers’ Note 7 devices. Through an in-depth analysis of Samsung’s traditional media newspaper apology ads and press statements, coupled with audience comments about the brand on YouTube, this case study analyzes how the brand incorporated two prominent theories of crisis communication, Situational Crisis Communication Theory (SCCT) and Image Restoration Theory (IRT). Through a study of Samsung’s traditional crisis response, a newspaper apology advertisement and three website press statements, this case study uncovers which strategies of SCCT and IRT were practiced. Specifically, this research study highlights image restoration strategies such as corrective action, mortification, and minimization. Similarly, the corporation wrongfully employed diminish strategies, opposed to rebuild strategies which coupled with the vague language and inconsistency of the information shared in its communications response to emerge public reactions, with consumers refusing to purchase their products in the future. However, due to its high level of reputational capital as a world class smartphone distributor, in just nine months’consumers recommitted their loyalty to organisation had recuperated its once tarnished image.

History

Language

eng

Degree

  • Master of Professional Communication

Program

  • Professional Communication

Granting Institution

Ryerson University

LAC Thesis Type

  • MRP