Adapting Crisis Communication Theories to the GCC Context: A Hybrid Framework for Effective Crisis Communication Management in Qatar

Crisis communication scholarship has developed primarily within Western contexts, raising questions about the applicability of those frameworks to regions with markedly different cultural, political, and institutional characteristics. This chapter examines the limitations of such theoretical frameworks and their applicability to the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, with Qatar serving as a focal point for analysis. The region’s distinctive sociopolitical architecture, characterized by hierarchical power structures, high-context communication patterns, and collectivist cultural orientations, challenges fundamental assumptions underlying Western crisis communication theories. The chapter then moves on to propose a hybrid theoretical framework that maintains analytical rigor while incorporating context-specific adaptations for the GCC environment. The framework addresses three critical areas: how hierarchical structures modify symmetrical communication principles, what theoretical adjustments are necessary for high-context communication patterns, and how collective cultural values reshape stakeholder expectations during crises. The chapter contributes to the broader discussions about developing regionally grounded communication theories and offers practical guidance for organizations, navigating crises in collectivist societies with centralized governance structures.