Assessment of Public Relations Strategies Employed by Major International Oil Companies for Crisis Management in Nigeria

Abstract

The study undertook a critical appraisal of the public relations strategies employed by major international oil companies for crisis management in Nigeria. It was occasioned by the incessant conflicts and crises between the oil companies and their host community publics. The specific objectives were to: appraise the effect of the public relations crisis management tools employed in maintaining mutual understanding between the IOCs and their host community publics; and evaluate the effect of the public relations crisis management tools of the IOCs on their corporate performance. Survey design was adopted in this study, where interview schedule was the main instrument for data collection. The population of the study embraced host community members of the international oil companies and select staff. Results indicate that: there is significant correlation between the public relations crisis management tools of the IOCs and the perceptions of their target publics; and the level of mutual understanding between them and their host communities. Also that the public relations crisis management tools of the IOCs have brought about significant positive press reports to them, all of which affected their corporate performance in the country in significant positive ways over the years. However, mindful of the room for improvement it was recommended among other things that: the IOCs in Nigeria must do everything possible to sustain and consolidate upon the significant positive perceptions of their target publics which they are currently enjoying through astute public relations strategies; should not allow the situation in the Niger Delta to relapse to the bad old days of kidnappings and hostage-taking of oil workers and ensure that the Niger Delta region remains a crisis-free environment, safe for oil productions, for consequent optimal revenue to the nation.

Keywords: Public Relations, Oil Companies, Crisis Management, Host Communities, Nigeria.