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xCrisis Management &
Information Technology
Master Thesis INFM02 VT2008 (15hp)
Submitted: June, 2008
Authors: Lars H. Esbensen
Tomas Krisciunas
Supervisor: Anders Svensson
Examinators: Erik Wallin
Linda Öberg
VT2008 INFM02 MASTER THESIS ESBENSEN & KRISCIUNAS
2
Abstract
Information technology has become an important part of the business world. IT is
involved in communication and business processes across departments making the
uses dependant on the technology to perform their work. In this thesis the authors are
focusing on how companies prepare themselves for crisis that can affect information
technology within the businesses, and what types of crisis they are worrying about. To
answer these questions a theoretical framework is formulated by reviewing a
collection of crisis management literature. The theory is later compared with
empirical findings to reveal differences and similarities. The empirical work is based
on interviews with four managers that work with IT and is involved in the crisis
management process. Three international enterprises with head offices in the Öresund
region participate.
The findings in this research show that the differences between theoretical and
empirical work is limited, and the similarities are many. Both explains that gathering
experts and decision-makers in a crisis management team that can point out possible
critical scenarios and construct action-plans, is a key part of crisis preparation.
Alternative ways of communication must be prepared, and user training help the
people involved feel safe and know what to do when a critical situation occurs. All
plans and responsibilities must be reviewed frequently so that they always are up-todate,
old plans are of little help. Crisis preparation has to be motivated. It takes...