ADVERTISING AS A TOOL FOR KNOWLEDGE TRANSFER AND SOCIAL RESILIENCE IN TIMES OF CRISIS

Authors

  • Lyubomira Spasova Trakia University, Bulgaria

Keywords:

advertising, knowledge transfer, social resilience, crisis communication

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to examine advertising as a tool for knowledge transfer and social resilience in times of crisis. In situations such as pandemics, natural disasters, economic instability, and armed conflicts, societies face increased uncertainty and an urgent need for reliable information. In this context, advertising increasingly performs functions beyond its traditional commercial role, contributing to the dissemination of socially relevant knowledge and the promotion of adaptive behaviours. The study is based on a qualitative research approach combining theoretical analysis and qualitative content analysis of selected advertising campaigns implemented during recent global and regional crises. The research focuses on key dimensions of crisis advertising, including informational content, emotional appeal, ethical considerations, persuasive strategies, and communication channels. A comparative analytical framework is applied to identify patterns and differences in message design and effectiveness. The results indicate that advertising messages characterized by clear and accurate informational content, combined with emotional appeals such as empathy, solidarity, and hope, are more effective in supporting knowledge transfer and enhancing public trust. Ethical transparency and social responsibility further strengthen message credibility and contribute to social resilience. The findings also reveal that digital advertising platforms play a significant role in accelerating cross-border knowledge transfer due to their speed, reach, and interactivity. The study concludes that advertising can serve as an important component of knowledge-based crisis communication when aligned with ethical principles and socially responsible practices. The findings provide practical implications for designing crisis-related advertising strategies that support informed decision-making, collective resilience, and sustainable societal responses.

References

Appel, G., Grewal, L., Hadi, R., & Stephen, A. T. (2020). The future of social media in marketing. Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science, 48(1), 79–95.

Austin, L., Liu, B. F., & Jin, Y. (2021). How audiences seek out crisis information: Exploring the social-mediated crisis communication model. Journal of Applied Communication Research, 49(3), 246–267.

Bryman, A. (2016). Social research methods (5th ed.). Oxford University Press.

Castells, M. (2010). The rise of the network society (2nd ed.). Wiley-Blackwell.

Chadwick, A. (2017). The hybrid media system: Politics and power. Oxford University Press.

Cheng, H., Kotler, P., & Lee, N. (2011). Social marketing for public health: Global trends and success stories. Jones & Bartlett Learning.

Coombs, W. T. (2015). Ongoing crisis communication: Planning, managing, and responding (4th ed.). Sage Publications.

Creswell, J. W. (2014). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches (4th ed.). Sage Publications.

Denzin, N. K., & Lincoln, Y. S. (2018). The SAGE handbook of qualitative research (5th ed.). Sage Publications.

Du Plessis, E. (2018). The branded mind: What neuroscience really tells us about the puzzle of the brain and the brand (2nd ed.). Kogan Page.

Eisenhardt, K. M. (1989). Building theories from case study research. Academy of Management Review, 14(4), 532–550. https://doi.org/10.5465/amr.1989.4308385

Heath, R. (2014). Seduction of the subconscious: The psychology of emotional influence in advertising (2nd ed.). Wiley-Blackwell.

Heath, R., & O’Hair, H. D. (2009). Handbook of risk and crisis communication. Routledge.

Kotler, P., & Keller, K. L. (2016). Marketing management (15th ed.). Pearson Education.

Kotler, P., & Lee, N. (2008). Social marketing: Influencing behaviors for good (3rd ed.). Sage Publications.

Krippendorff, K. (2018). Content analysis: An introduction to its methodology (4th ed.). Sage Publications.

Limaye, R. J., Sauer, M., Ali, J., Bernstein, J., Wahl, B., Barnhill, A., & Labrique, A. (2020). Building trust while influencing online COVID-19 content in the social media world. Health Communication, 35(14), 1717–1725.

Martin, R., & Hewstone, M. (2003). Social influence and social change. In M. A. Hogg & J. Cooper (Eds.), The SAGE handbook of social psychology (pp. 594–612). Sage Publications.

van der Meer, T. G. L. A., & Jin, Y. (2020). Seeking formula for misinformation treatment in public health crises: The effects of corrective information type and source. Health Communication, 35(5), 560–575.

Verčič, D., Verčič, A. T., & Žnidar, K. (2021). Crisis communication: A review of recent advances. Public Relations Review, 47(5), 102059.

Weick, K. E. (1995). Sensemaking in organizations. Sage Publications.

Downloads

Published

2026-03-25

How to Cite

Spasova, L. (2026). ADVERTISING AS A TOOL FOR KNOWLEDGE TRANSFER AND SOCIAL RESILIENCE IN TIMES OF CRISIS. KNOWLEDGE - International Journal , 75(1), 75–79. Retrieved from https://ojs.ikm.mk/index.php/kij/article/view/8166