Preparedness vs. improvisation : a response to the Covid-19 crisis in Slovenia

Ferlin, Anica (author), Malešič, Marjan (author), Vuga Beršnak, Janja (author)

Crisis response planning can never fully prevent a certain amount of improvisation given that, in some cases, it is necessary, if not even desirable. This article analyses the research question on the relationship between crisis planning and improvisation in theory and with respect to the Covid-19 epidemic in Slovenia. Despite existing systemic recommendations, normative and to some extent operational crisis preparedness, our analysis of the country's response reveals improvisation in several key elements: planning, decision-making, coordination and crisis communication. The quite considerable improvisation seen with the epidemic is the outcome of its unexpected dimensions, the absence of a comprehensive crisis management plan, and individual actors' insufficient crisis management competences. It has been reflected in the establishing of specialised ad hoc structures, overnight decisions and their sudden reversals, and often in inconsistent and inappropriate communication with the public.

• Language: English
• Keywords: preparedness, improvisation, planning, decision-making, coordination, crisis communication, Covid-19 epidemic
• Work type: Article
• Typology: 1.01 - Original Scientific Article
• Organization: FDV - Faculty of Social Sciences
• Publication version: Version of Record
• Publication date: 01.09.2021
• Year: 2021
• Number of pages: Str. 632-651, 693
• Numbering: Letn. 58, posebna št.
• PID: 20.500.12556/RUL-138720
• UDC: 005.931.11:616-036.22(497.4)
• ISSN on article: 0040-3598
• DOI: 10.51936/tip.58.specialissue.632-651
• COBISS.SI-ID: 81134595
• Publication date in RUL: 10.08.2022

Record is a part of a journal

• Title: Teorija in praksa : revija za družbena vprašanja
• Shortened title: Teor. praksa
• Publisher: Visoka šola za politične vede, Visoka šola za politične vede, Visoka šola za sociologijo, politične vede in novinarstvo, Fakulteta za sociologijo, politične vede in novinarstvo, Fakulteta za družbene vede
• ISSN: 0040-3598
• COBISS.SI-ID: 763652

Secondary language

• Language: Slovenian
• Title: Pripravljenost proti improvizaciji

Abstract

Načrtovanje odziva na krizo ne more v celoti izključiti improvizacije, ki je v določenih primerih nujna in celo zaželena. Prispevek analizira raziskovalno vprašanje o razmerju med kriznim načrtovanjem in improvizacijo v teoriji ter v primeru odziva na epidemijo Covida-19 v Sloveniji. Kljub normativni urejenosti, obstoječim sistemskim priporočilom in določeni meri operativne pripravljenosti na krize naša analiza odziva razkriva improvizacijo v njegovih ključnih prvinah: načrtovanju, odločanju, koordinaciji in kriznem komuniciranju. Sorazmerno obsežna improvizacija je bila odraz nepričakovanih razsežnosti epidemije, neobstoja celovitega načrta za odziv in pomanjkanja kompetenc za krizno upravljanje pri posameznih akterjih. Odražala se je v ad-hoc ustanovljenih strukturah, odločitvah, sprejetih prek noči, in njihovih nenadnih spremembah ter pogosto tudi v nedoslednem in neprimernem komuniciranju z javnostjo.

• Keywords: pripravljenost, improvizacija, načrtovanje, odločanje, koordinacija, krizno komuniciranje, Epidemija covida-19