The Evolution of Crisis Communication Scholarship in the Arab World: A Scoping Review (1989–2025)

Abstract

This scoping review addresses the scholarly gap in Arab crisis communication literature by mapping its evolution from 1989–2025. Guided by PRISMA-ScR and PRESS protocols, the article analyses 201 studies to map publication trends, thematic orientations, methodological approaches, and theoretical frameworks. Findings reveal significant growth in the field, particularly after the Arab Spring and during the COVID‑19 pandemic, yet scholarship remains largely reactive, event‑driven, and concentrated on post‑crisis response, media effects, and government institutions. Quantitative survey methods and superficial application of Western theories dominate, while proactive, qualitative, and locally grounded research is limited. The review identifies four key gaps relating to content, method, context and theoretical conceptualisation, and proposes a future research agenda aimed at advancing strategic, anticipatory, and contextually anchored Arab crisis communication scholarship.