This paper explores the validity of CTAP-25 by examining associations between its indicators and two proxies for risk in the corporate sector – approach after communication, and persistence of the concerning behaviour.
The problem of assessing risk in cases of concerning communications to companies has been subject to remarkably little systematic study.
This paper examines a series of sixty-two consecutive cases referred by corporate brands to Theseus for full case risk assessment (as opposed to the more numerous cases involving simply an outline opinion or initial handling advice or where full risk assessment was not required).
The study looked at factors associated with two proxies for risk – approach in previous problematic communicators, and persistence. Factors associated with particular outcomes constitute risk factors, which can be employed in assessing the concern that individual cases should be accorded.
As a standardised set of factors to examine, we used those from the Communications Threat Assessment Protocol (CTAP), a threat assessment tool which provides a structured approach for the initial assessment and management of concerning communications.
Seven CTAP factors were significantly associated with progression from communication to approach. A four-factor regression model was produced which correctly classified 85% of cases. As regards persistence, eight significant associations were identified, as well as others with substantial effect sizes.
The study illustrated that risk factors for approach in this corporate sample differ from those for persistence, despite some overlap. In other words, different sorts of risk have different risk factors. It also offers further evidence that risk factors for a given behaviour vary between sectors (politicians, celebrities, corporate cases etc.). That is to say that risk assessment in corporate cases needs to be based on research into that sector: risk factors from other sectors cannot simply be transferred across. The results of the current study provide the beginnings of a firm basis for the specialist assessment of risk in concerning communications in the corporate sector.
Finally, the results provide evidence of the validity of the CTAP, at least in corporate cases, given the associations between its factors and approach and persistence, and its ability to distinguish between the two.
