Behavioral Risk Assessment in Crisis Situations: Guest Lecture by Professor Salvatore Giacomuzzi
On April 17, 2026, an online guest lecture (via Zoom) was delivered by Prof. Dr. Salvatore Giacomuzzi, Doctor of Psychological Sciences (University of Innsbruck), researcher in organisation psychology and behavioral sciences, forensic expert, business consultant (Austria), affiliated researcher at the Security Studies Center of the Cracow University of Economics (Poland), and Visiting Professor at Ivan Franko National University of Lviv.
The lecture, entitled “Behavioral Risk Assessment in Crisis Situations: From Threat Analysis to Decision-Making,” focused on contemporary approaches to assessing behavioral risks amid uncertainty, escalation, and crisis management.
During the lecture, Professor Giacomuzzi explored the concept of behavioral risk as a dynamic and contextual phenomenon, examined the mechanisms of risk escalation (grievance – fixation – identification – planning – action), and analyzed different types of risk factors, including static, dynamic, and protective ones. Particular attention was given to the impact of stress on perception, judgment, and decision-making, as well as to cognitive biases that emerge under conditions of uncertainty. Professor Giacomuzzi emphasized that risk should be understood not as a fixed attribute of an individual, but as a process shaped by the interaction of personal and situational factors. He highlighted that in crisis situations due to time pressure, limited information, and heightened stress the likelihood of cognitive distortions and decision-making errors significantly increases.
The lecture was delivered within the course “Economic Security and Crisis Management” (lecturer — Assoc. Prof. Marianna Kokhan) for Master’s students in the Management program. At the same time, the event was open to bachelor’s students in Management, particularly those enrolled in the course “Psychology of Management,” which created space for active inter-level discussion and interdisciplinary exchange.
In total, more than 50 participants attended the event, including faculty members and students of the Management and Trade programs. Participants had the opportunity to reflect on their own experiences in applying risk assessment approaches within organizations, discuss decision-making under crisis conditions, and explore the role of psychological factors in shaping managerial security strategies.
The event was organized within the framework of the Department of Management initiative “European Management Studio” and contributed to strengthening international academic cooperation with European partners in the fields of management studies, modern business practices, and interdisciplinary solutions into the educational process.
The cooperation with Professor Giacomuzzi has continued for more than ten years. During this period, he has been an active participant and expert in numerous academic initiatives at Ivan Franko National University of Lviv, including the “Psychological Workshop of Management.” He has also served as a key expert and contributor within the DAAD-funded Ukrainian–German university partnership project on technology transfer, acted as a scientific consultant and mentor, co-authored research in the fields of mental health, psychological safety, crisis communication, and education in times of war, and has been a keynote speaker at several international academic conferences.
We highly value Professor Giacomuzzi’s professionalism, his continuous willingness to support our academic community, and his significant scientific and educational contribution to the students of Ivan Franko National University of Lviv, especially during these challenging times. His engagement reflects a strong commitment to international solidarity, academic excellence, and the development of resilient leadership competencies.