MGMT629 Official Handouts

“There is no longer any such thing as strategy, only crisis management” (Robert McNamara, 1962)

“After twenty years of smooth crisis management, doubts are being raised as to the allegedly infinite capacity of modern diplomacy to cope with the increasing crises.”

(Daniel Frei, 1982)

INTRODUCTION

Life and crisis were born together and they will live together, till the last sunset. The concept of crisis was born with man, however, its evolution, development and connotations have frequently changed and its horizontal, as well as, vertical expansions and applications are extending day by day, with a fast speed. Manifold and multidimensional communication revolution from era has enhanced the speed of crisis and given it many new shapes. It is a very interesting phenomenon that inventions, discoveries, concepts, hypothesis and terminologies etc. are coined or designed for one specific field, but then they outgrow and enter into many other fields and areas, carrying different meanings, perceptions and interpretations. It is also important to keep in view that linguistic aspects of the terminologies also play a vital role correct interpretation of terminologies. The caveman did face the crises and probably, the crises for him were the inhospitable environment for his survival. To manage the crisis he did take some steps also. Resultantly, today we are safe in our houses, during wind storms, snow storms, floods and many other natural hazards. There was a time when the man believed in superstitions only. With the passage of time, his experiences and observations proved that many things were just fiction and he could manage many challenges to his survival, which apparently looked to be unmanageable by him. This was beginning of the journey towards factual knowledge and scientific research. Even when the knowledge was well developed, un-scientific and quickly drawn conclusions ruled the intellectual world. It is an undeniable reality that man is very fond of demonstrating his strength and might, to dominate the others. From Habeel and Qabeel, till this movement, this war is continuing and is unending. Generally speaking, crises originate from the acts and behaviour of the human beings. The concept of crisis became mature after the 1962 Cuban Crisis. Since then, a lot has been written on crisis and it has now become a proper area of study in many countries of the world. The term ‘crisis’ has become so popular that it is being implied in every field. It is also a big reality that today we are a society, for whom, everything is business and the term “crisis” has also been hijacked by this dominant force. The term ‘crisis’ is also being used in Political Science, Management Sciences and International Relations but different words are being used, which create confusion in clearly understanding the concept of crisis. Terms like ‘Risk and Risk Management’ Disaster and Disaster Management’, conflict, conflict resolution, ‘Crisis Coping’ and ‘Crisis Management, are quite often used in the pertinent literature. Another aspect also deserves our attention. Since, the terminology related to crisis was basically associated with Cuban Crises, that were real crisis international crises, hence, the term ‘crisis management has been popularly associated with international crisis only. We need to understand that crisis prevail at every level of human life. In our course we will try to understand the concept of ‘Crisis’ and methodology of ‘Crisis Management’. We will not focus alone, on business or international level. We will restrict to individual and collective levels of human life and practical aspects of the crisis at the national level. Crisis can be divided into two main categories i.e., natural and un-natural (man made). Un-natural crisis are purely created by abnormal human behaviour. Nuclear explosions, over industrialization, dumping of chemical waste, changing the courses of natural water sources, destroying the mountains and forests etc. Natural crisis also occur due to abnormal climatic conditions, weather, disturbance in seasons or calamities like earthquakes, floods, drought, famine, abnormal rains or temperature etc. Every country in the world has its own peculiarities, climate, circumstances, societal behaviour, systems and sub-systems. It is hence, realistic that a particular country should collect data pertaining to her own land and devise concepts, methods of analysis, decision making process and research skills matching the domestic requirements. It is a standard trend that almost, the whole third world teaches and practices the concepts, theories, doctrines and methodologies, formulated or designed by the West, to meet their own requirements. However, there are countries, who have realized this factor and have started formulating their own concepts and methodologies at theoretical as well as practical level. Countries like Thailand and Hong Kong are eliminating western theories from their syllabi. Keeping this need in view, we will focus on Pakistan, barring few classic examples of global level. Our beloved homeland, The Islamic Republic of Pakistan is a small model of the globe. It has been blessed with balanced four reasons, its temperature vary from 55oc – 40o c, it comprises all types of land forms i.e., deserts, dry mountains, green mountains and snow bound mountains, popularly known as “roof of the world”. It has got rivers, ocean and the best canal system. As far as our economy is concerned, Pakistan is basically an agrarian economy but is not void of industry. Our human resource also varies in life style, habits, cultures and physical as well as mental abilities. Keeping in view, so many diversified factors, no external doctrine or analysis can fully help us, to manage critical situations. We need to resort to self-awareness and self reliance. We need to find out our own solutions to our problems and crises. Considering all these realities, we will focus ourselves to Pakistan only, but we must not remain ignorant about, what all advancements are taking place in the world. Last of all, we will make an effort to bring a change in our thinking process. We must not get satisfied, only with the general meanings of a word, a term or a concept. Unless, the terminologies and concepts are thoroughly studied and analytically perceived, the desired results cannot be achieved. If you attentively go with this course, you will find a pleasant change in your thinking and your personality. It will un-earth the secret that you have tremendous potential to manage many crisis, by yourself, rather than knocking at other doors. I wish you best of luck, good speed towards achievements and bright future. Never neglect Pakistan. It is our MOTHERLAND. Sincerely