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The meaning of bad news management for managers: an explorative research through metaphors

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Abstract

It is a known reality that managers often encounter bad news, and this study explores the question “What is the perspective of managers on bad news management?” in the context of a developing country with rapidly changing conditions. To answer this question, in-depth interviews were conducted with 32 top and middle managers. The results reveal two root metaphors about bad news management in managers’ minds. Managers focus on the past with the “lesson” metaphor and focus on the future with the “opportunity” metaphor. While managing bad news, they draw meaningful inferences from prior experiences and thus become careful and ready. After managing bad news, they have new opportunities to make their organization more mature, developed, and recovered.

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Notes

  1. A manager in the service industry.

  2. V from the manufacturing industry.

  3. E from the banking industry.

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  1. Beyhekim Mh. Sehit Mustafa Aydın Sk. İlayda Sitesi 18/10, Selcuklu, Konya, Turkey

    Sumeyra Alpaslan Danisman

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  1. Sumeyra Alpaslan Danisman
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Alpaslan Danisman, S. The meaning of bad news management for managers: an explorative research through metaphors. Rev Manag Sci 11, 857–877 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11846-016-0207-y

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