Narrative Strategies of Enterprises and Entrepreneurs in Corporate CrisisManagement: The ‘Meng Wanzhou Incident’ as an Example

Purpose - This study examines the narrative strategies used by corporations and entrepreneurs in crisis management, with the Meng Wanzhou incident as a case study. It aims to explore how these strategies influence organizational and personal reputation, stakeholder perception, and long-term business continuity during crises. Design/Methodology/Approach - The research adopts a qualitative case study method, analyzing Huawei’s official statements, Meng Wanzhou’s personal responses, and media coverage. A thematic analysis was conducted to identify patterns in corporate and entrepreneurial narratives and their alignment in addressing the crisis. Findings - The findings reveal that Huawei employed a rational and professional narrative strategy, emphasizing compliance, factual communication, and swift responses to stabilize stakeholder confidence. Meanwhile, Meng Wanzhou’s personal narrative highlighted her resilience and integrity, aligning her individual story with Huawei’s organizational values. This dual narrative strategy minimized reputational damage, reinforced public trust, and demonstrated the effectiveness of cohesive crisis communication. Research Implications - This study contributes to the field of crisis management by illustrating the interplay between organizational and entrepreneurial narratives. It provides practical insights for businesses to craft adaptive narrative strategies that resonate with diverse stakeholders. The findings highlight the importance of integrating individual and corporate narratives to achieve unified messaging and ensure effective crisis resolution. These results offer valuable lessons for organizations and leaders in managing complex crises and safeguarding their reputations in a globalized and interconnected environment.