Crisis Management in the Public Sector in Times of COVID-19: Insights from Peru

Durst S.; Acuache M.M.G.P.; Gerstlberger W. · Management for Professionals (2022) · DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-91727-2_9

Resumen

Crises have become a permanent part of the everyday life of organizations, and quick and decisive responses to them are crucial. This applies to public sector organizations in particular given their role in society. Taking the COVID-19 pandemic as a starting point, this empirical study investigates how smaller Peruvian public sector organizations have been coping with COVID-19 so far. Based on an exploratory qualitative research design, a series of semi-structured interviews were conducted with employees from small Peruvian public sector organizations. In addition to insight into the organizations’ measures and responses to addressing the crisis, the chapter provides insights into the role of crisis management and other related approaches in the organizations. Given the lack of research, this chapter contributes to the underdeveloped study of crisis management in Latin America in general and the practice of crisis management in the public sector. The findings presented in this chapter have not only implications for the leadership of small public organizations but also implications for policymakers and their immediate and forthcoming actions and approaches regarding crisis management.