Understanding Transboundary Crisis Management: A Theoretical Framework

This document presents the theoretical framework that constitutes the foundation of the TransCrisis project. It sketches the causal relations between our core concepts: political leaders, political leadership, TBCs, and (institutional capacities for) crisis management. We will build on this theoretical framework to design a codebook for empirical research. The purpose of the framework and the accompanying codebook is to ensure a shared understanding of what constitutes TBC management. Use of the codebook and consistent terminology will enable the integration of results from the research-based WPs. This document is structured as follows: First, it explains the nature and dynamics of TBCs; Second, it conceptualizes TBC management; Third, it explains how political leadership can facilitate and enable TBC management that is both effective and legitimate; Fourth, it depicts the key variables in this research project; Fifth, it presents an outline of individual research-based WPs as well as where exactly they fit into the framework of the project