Investigating Spillover Effects of a University Crisis Using Situational Theory of Problem Solving

Following the outbreak of a crisis in one university, this study reflects upon the emergence of a crisis spillover effect over the students of another institution. Informed by the situational theory of problem solving, this exploratory work investigates students’ relational and personal dynamics at the base of the spread of the crisis spillover effects. Reporting on the insights collected through in-depth semi-structured interviews with the students, this study found that students felt alarmed because of their university’s institutional similarities with the affected organization. In addition, the concerns that their university could also be in a similar problematic situation as the crisis-stricken university resulted in a legitimacy loss for some of the university strategies. Findings also showed that the magnitude of the crisis spillover varied depending on factors such as participants’ memories of similar prior events and trust towards their university. The spillover effect was also mediated by multiple intermediaries that provided information marked by different levels of quality. Theoretical and practical implications and future research directions are discussed.