Perceptions and Organisational Responses to Polycrisis in Western Switzerland: Insights From a Qualitative Study

ABSTRACT This article examines how professionals in Western Switzerland perceive and respond to the emerging polycrisis, a convergence of multiple, interconnected disruptions. Drawing on 48 semi‐structured interviews across industries and hierarchical levels, the research presented in this study identifies a shared awareness of systemic pressures – ranging from supply chain fragility and labour market tensions to digitalisation and cyber risks. The COVID‐19 pandemic is widely viewed as a catalyst that exposed organisational vulnerabilities and accelerated adaptive thinking. However, despite this growing awareness, most responses remain reactive and fragmented, revealing a persistent gap between recognising systemic risks and adopting integrated crisis‐management strategies. Perceptions vary across industries, company size and job roles, highlighting uneven preparedness and internal communication challenges. The study contributes to the literature by providing empirical insights into how players interpret entangled crises in a local context and calls for further research on how organisations can strengthen coordinated, systemic approaches to navigating complex risk environments.