When all goes as planned: a case study of Hajj and the best crisis communication strategies for practitioners planning mega-events

Saud A. Alsulaiman () and Terry L. Rentner
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Saud A. Alsulaiman: King Saud University
Terry L. Rentner: Bowling Green State University

Palgrave Communications, 2024, vol. 11, issue 1, 1-10

Abstract: Abstract This case study examined how the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) managed the 2018 Hajj season, one of the largest worldwide gatherings, to identify prominent communication strategies utilised in a large event. The two-way symmetrical communication and the renewal discourse theory served as theoretical frameworks. A thematic analysis was utilised to analyse communication content, news articles, and tweets. It is almost impossible to know whether the KSA intentionally applied Grunig’s two-way symmetrical communications theory; nevertheless, the results suggested that KSA operated in a way that followed Grunig’s theory. The findings showed how the KSA learned from past mistakes and incorporated Grunig’s two-way symmetrical communication model to implement best public relations practices for a successful 2018 Hajj season. This case study provided various perspectives on how employing communication strategies can help manage a significant event successfully.

Date: 2024
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DOI: 10.1057/s41599-024-04108-9

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