When shit hits the fan

Sammanfattning: The corona pandemic is the worst pandemic in Sweden's modern history. At the same time, the Swedish crisis management of the pandemic differs from other countries. In this case study, Swedish crisis management is examined according to two theoretical approaches: crisis management theory and institutional logic. The approach is theory- testing and the purpose of this study is to comprehend whether these theories can create an understanding of Swedish crisis management. The empirical compilation shows the difference between Sweden's crisis management at the national level, with European and Nordic countries. The analysis shows that sensemaking, decision-making and meaning-making based on crisis management theory make important contributions to the understanding of the Swedish strategy. Furthermore, institutional logics in forms of bureaucracy, market and democracy show that crisis management should not only be understood within the framework of a crisis, but in relation to other competing logics. While Sweden still has a lot of work to do in adapting the bureaucratic logic in the administration to a crisis situation, the logic of democracy emerges to be deeply rooted in the Swedish institutions, even in a serious crisis.