Explaining the Effect of Crisis Management Characteristics on the Performance of Crisis Managers using the Structural Equation Modeling (Case Study: Southeastern Provinces of Iran)

A crisis is any event with low possibility of occurrence and high impact of consequences that disrupts the order of the main system or parts of it and threatens its stability. Therefore, a proper management of this event will play a pivotal role in the improvement of a society. In fact, making correct decisions for an optimal crisis management depends on the success of several levels, and the characteristics of crisis managers is one of them. In this sense, paying sufficient attention to this factor will be of high importance in the optimal management of crises and the better performance of managers. This research aims to explain the effect of crisis management characteristics on the performance of crisis managers using the Structural Equation Modeling (Case Study: Southeastern Provinces of Iran). The required data was collected using an analytical-descriptive method, and the statistical population encompasses all the members of the Crisis Management Headquarters in the Provinces of Sistan and Baluchestan, Hormozgan, Kerman, South Khorasan and Yazd, who are roughly 100 persons. Using Morgan and Krejcie sampling table, 80 people were selected as a statistical sample by stratified random sampling method. Descriptive and inferential statistics (Pearson correlation coefficient test and Friedman test) were used to analyze the data. The results of this study not only confirmed the model of crisis management characteristics affecting the proper performance of crisis managers in the southeastern provinces of the country, but also showed that there is a significant difference between the crisis management characteristics of crisis managers (p <0.05). Among these characteristics, the just culture has the highest rank, and the commitment of senior management is in the second rank. A proper crisis management is reached when the effective characteristics of crisis management, including the characteristics of crisis managers, are recognized and tasks are delegated to managers in accordance with their inherent and skillful characteristics. The results of this study suggest that the characteristics of crisis managers should receive more attention. Moreover, it is necessary to create an environment in which the managers have a better sense of responsibility and commitment –a precondition for the better performance of managers.