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

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 th...

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Main Authors: Saud A. Alsulaiman, Terry L. Rentner
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Springer Nature 2024-11-01
Series:Humanities & Social Sciences Communications
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-024-04108-9
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author Saud A. Alsulaiman
Terry L. Rentner
author_facet Saud A. Alsulaiman
Terry L. Rentner
author_sort Saud A. Alsulaiman
collection DOAJ
description 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.
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spelling doaj-art-4ccdcac07b45452b89a0421cc8a54b522025-08-20T02:22:25ZengSpringer NatureHumanities & Social Sciences Communications2662-99922024-11-0111111010.1057/s41599-024-04108-9When all goes as planned: a case study of Hajj and the best crisis communication strategies for practitioners planning mega-eventsSaud A. Alsulaiman0Terry L. Rentner1Department of Mass Communication, King Saud UniversitySchool of Media and Communication, Bowling Green State UniversityAbstract 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.https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-024-04108-9
spellingShingle Saud A. Alsulaiman
Terry L. Rentner
When all goes as planned: a case study of Hajj and the best crisis communication strategies for practitioners planning mega-events
Humanities & Social Sciences Communications
title When all goes as planned: a case study of Hajj and the best crisis communication strategies for practitioners planning mega-events
title_full When all goes as planned: a case study of Hajj and the best crisis communication strategies for practitioners planning mega-events
title_fullStr When all goes as planned: a case study of Hajj and the best crisis communication strategies for practitioners planning mega-events
title_full_unstemmed When all goes as planned: a case study of Hajj and the best crisis communication strategies for practitioners planning mega-events
title_short When all goes as planned: a case study of Hajj and the best crisis communication strategies for practitioners planning mega-events
title_sort when all goes as planned a case study of hajj and the best crisis communication strategies for practitioners planning mega events
url https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-024-04108-9
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