Home Situated Response and Learning of Distributed Bushfire Coordinating Teams
Article
Licensed
Unlicensed Requires Authentication

Situated Response and Learning of Distributed Bushfire Coordinating Teams

  • Kwang D. Kim EMAIL logo , Liaquat Hossain and Shahadat Uddin
Published/Copyright: April 13, 2013

Abstract

Previous studies on coordination have emphasis on managing coordination where conditions are stable and goals are well defined. In this study, we approach coordination from the perspective of a system working together as a whole rather than simply the parts themselves. We argue that organizational and individual actors’ behavior depends on the total structure and changes in structure could have impact on the changes of behavior. The behavior depends on how the parts are connected, rather than what the parts are (O’connor and Mcdermott 1997). Here, we argue that organizational learning prior to disaster have impact on the performance of a coordinated response. We apply coordination theory and network concepts to explore the problem of effective coordination for distributed bushfire teams. We present a network enabled coordination model suitable for dynamic disaster environments such as bushfire for exploring the value of coordination for effective response. We provide empirical investigations focusing on relationship between network and potential for coordination and suggest that facilitating network performance correlates to increasing coordination performance. Our findings highlight that network performance and organizational learning (in this article, training and education) correlate to the effectiveness of a response network.


Corresponding author: Kwang D. Kim, Complex Systems Research & Project Management Program, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia, e-mail:

References

Argyris, C. (1977) “Double loop learning in organizations,” Harvard Business Review, 55(5):115–125.Search in Google Scholar

Argyris, C. and D. Schön (1996) Organizational Learning II. Reading, MA, USA: Addison-Wesley.Search in Google Scholar

Balasubramanian, V. (1995) Organizational Learning and Information Systems ISWorld Net.Search in Google Scholar

Brandes, U. and D. Fleischer. (2005) “Centrality Measures Based on Current Flow”. Berlin, Heidelberg: Springer- Verlag, pp. 533–544.10.1007/978-3-540-31856-9_44Search in Google Scholar

Brown, T. M. and C. E. Miller (2000) “Communication Networks in Task-Performing Groups: Effect of Task Complexity, Time Pressure, and Interpersonal Dominance,” Small Group Research, 31(2):131–157.10.1177/104649640003100201Search in Google Scholar

Carley, K. M. (1999) “On the Evolution of Social and Organizational Networks.” In: (S.B. Andrews and D. Knoke eds.) Vol. 16 special issue of Research in the Sociology of Organizations. on Networks In and Around Organizations: 3–30.Search in Google Scholar

Chisholm, R. F. (1998) Developing Network Organizations: Learning from Practice and Theory. New York: Addison-Wesley.Search in Google Scholar

Chung, K. K. S., L. Hossain and J. Davis (2005) Exploring Sociocentric and Egocentric Approaches for Social Network Analysis, International Conference on Knowledge Management, Victoria University Wellington, New Zealand.Search in Google Scholar

Cohen, M. D. a. L. S. S. (1996) Organizational Learning. Thousand Oaks CA: Sage.Search in Google Scholar

Comfort, L., D.J. Dunn, R. Skertich and A. Zagorecki (2004) “Coordination in Complex Systems: Increasing Efficiency in Disaster Mitigation and Response,” Emergency Management, 2: 63–80.10.1504/IJEM.2004.005314Search in Google Scholar

Comfort, L. and N. Kapucu (2003) “Inter-Organizational Coordination in Extreme Events: The World Trade Center attacks, September 11, 2001.” Natural Hazards: 309–327.Search in Google Scholar

Comfort, L. K. (1999) Shared Risk: Complex Systems in Seismic Response. Elmsford, NY: Pergamon.Search in Google Scholar

Comfort, L. K. and Y. Sungu (2001) Organizational Learning From Seismic Risk: The 1999 Marmara and Duzce, Turkey Earthquakes. Institute of Governmental Studies, UC Berkeley.Search in Google Scholar

Dodgson, M. (1993) “Organizational Learning: A Review of Some Literatures,” Organization Studies, 14(3):375–394.10.1177/017084069301400303Search in Google Scholar

Drabek, T. E. (1986) Human System Responses to Disaster: An Inventory of Sociological Findings. New York: Springer-Verlag.10.1007/978-1-4612-4960-3Search in Google Scholar

Drabek, T. E. (2001) “Disaster Warning and Evacuation Responses by Private Business Employees,” Disasters, 25(1):76–94.10.1111/1467-7717.00163Search in Google Scholar

Drabek, T. E. (2003) Strategies for Coordination Disaster Responses. Boulder, CO.Search in Google Scholar

Freeman, L. C. (2000) “Visualizing Social Networks,” Journal of Social Structure, 1(1):4.Search in Google Scholar

Graber, D. (1992). Public Sector Communication: How Organizations Manage Information, Congressional Quarterly, Inc.Search in Google Scholar

ISDR (2003) Living with Risk: A Global Review of Disaster Reduction Initiatives, Geneva.Search in Google Scholar

Jamali, M. and H. Abolhassani (2006). Different Aspects of Social Network Analysis, IEEE/WIC/ACM International Conference.10.1109/WI.2006.61Search in Google Scholar

Kapucu, N. (2003) Coordinating without Hierarchy: Public-Nonprofit Partnerships, the National Association of Schools and Institutes of Administration (IASIA) Annual Conference, Miami, FL.Search in Google Scholar

Kapucu, N. (2005) “Interorganizational Coordination in Dynamic Context: Networks in Emergency Response Management,” Connections, 26(2):33–48.Search in Google Scholar

Kapucu, N. (2008a) “Collaborative Emergency Management: Better Community Organising, Better Public Preparedness and Response,” Disasters, 32:239–262.10.1111/j.1467-7717.2008.01037.xSearch in Google Scholar

Kapucu, N. (2008b) “Culture of Preparedness: Household Disaster Preparedness,” Disaster Prevention and Management, 17(4):526–535.10.1108/09653560810901773Search in Google Scholar

Kim, D. H. (1993) “The Link Between Individual and Organizational Learning,” Sloan Management Review, 35(1):37–50.Search in Google Scholar

Li, G., L. Sun and H. Li (2004) “A Study of the Self-Organization Modeling of Distributed Manufacturing Network,” IEEE Computer Society, 114–117.Search in Google Scholar

Lounamaa, P. H. and J.G. March (1987) “Adaptive Coordination of a Learning Team,” Management Science, 33:107–123.10.1287/mnsc.33.1.107Search in Google Scholar

Lueth, H. G. (1956) “Meeting Disaster,” The American Journal of Nursing, 56(9):1135–1138.10.2307/3461127Search in Google Scholar

Malone, T. W. and K. Crowston (1990). What is Coordination Theory and How Can it Help Design Cooperative Work Systems? New York, NY, USA: ACM, pp. 357–370.Search in Google Scholar

Mileti, D. S. (1999) Disasters by Design: A Reassessment of Natural Hazards in the United States. Washington, DC: Joseph Henry Press.Search in Google Scholar

Moody, J., D. McFarland and S. Bender-deMoll (2005) “Dynamic Network Visualization,” American Journal of Sociology, 110(4):1206–1241.10.1086/421509Search in Google Scholar

Moore, S., E. Eng and M. Daniel (2003) “International NGOs and the Role of Network Centrality in Humanitarian Aid Operations: A Case Study of Coordination During the 2000 Mozambique Floods,” Disasters, 27(4):305–318.10.1111/j.0361-3666.2003.00235.xSearch in Google Scholar

O’connor, J. and I. Mcdermott (1997) The Art of Systems Thinkings: Essential Skills for Creativity and Problem Solvings. Thorsons.Search in Google Scholar

Perdu, D. M. and A.H. Levis (1998) Adaptation as a Morphing Process: A Methodology for the Design and Evaluation of Adaptive Organizational Structures. Hingham, MA, USA: Kluwer Academic Publishers, Vol. 4, pp. 5–41.Search in Google Scholar

Petak, W. J. (1985) “Emergency Management: A Challenge for Public Administration,” Public Administration Review (45(Special Issue. Jan)): 3–7.Search in Google Scholar

Peters, B. G. (1998) “Managing Horizontal Government: The Politics of Co-ordination,” Public Administration, 76(2):295–311.10.1111/1467-9299.00102Search in Google Scholar

Powell, W. W., D.R. White and K.W. Koput (2005) “Network Dynamics and Field Evolution: The Growth of Interorganizational Collaboration in the Life Sciences,” American Journal of Sociology, 110(4):1132–1205.10.1086/421508Search in Google Scholar

Quarantelli, E. L. and Dynes (1977) Disasters: Theory and Research. Beverly Hills, CA:Sage.Search in Google Scholar

RedCross, (2001) World Disaster Report, Geneva: International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.Search in Google Scholar

Rey, F. (1999) The Complex Nature of Actors in Humanitarian Action and the Challenge of Coordination In Reflections on Humanitarian Action. London: Pluto Press.Search in Google Scholar

Robbins, S. M. and M. Tsvetovat (2006). The Structure of Interest Group Networks: A First Cut Using PAC Contribution Data.Search in Google Scholar

Tierney, K. J., M. K. Lindell and R. W. Perry (2001) Facing the Unexpected: Disaster Preparedness and Response in the United States. Washington, DC: Joseph Henry Press.Search in Google Scholar

Walia, A. (2008) “Community Based Disaster Preparedness: Need for a Standardized Traning Module,” The Australian Journal of Emergency Management, 23(2):68–73.Search in Google Scholar

Waugh, W. L. (2003) “Terrorism, Homeland Security and the National Emergency Management Network,” Public Administration Review, 373–385.Search in Google Scholar

Waugh, W. L. J. (2000) Living with Hazards Dealing with Disasters: An Introduction to Emergency Management. Armonk, NY: ME Sharpe, 47 pp.Search in Google Scholar

Waugh, W. L. J. (2006) “The Political Costs of Failure in the Katrina and Rita Disasters,” The ANNALS of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, 604(1):10–25.10.1177/0002716205284916Search in Google Scholar

Weick, K. E. a. K. M. S. (2001) Managing the Unexpected: Assuring High Performance in an age of complexity. San Francisco, CA: Jossey Bass Publishers.Search in Google Scholar

Williams, D. E. a. B. A. O. (1998) “Expanding the Crisis Planning Function: Introducing Elements of Risk Communication to Crisis Communication Practice,” Public Relations Review, 24(3):387–400.10.1016/S0363-8111(99)80147-7Search in Google Scholar

Published Online: 2013-04-13
Published in Print: 2013-01-01

©2013 by Walter de Gruyter Berlin Boston

Articles in the same Issue

  1. Masthead
  2. Masthead
  3. Research Articles
  4. Integrating Federal Approaches to Post-Cyber Incident Mitigation
  5. Cybersecurity and US Legislative Efforts to address Cybercrime
  6. The Military’s Response to Domestic CBRNE Incidents
  7. Building Public Health Preparedness and Food and Agriculture Defense Capabilities Using Whole Community and One Health Concepts
  8. Situated Response and Learning of Distributed Bushfire Coordinating Teams
  9. A Critical Examination of the Assumptions Regarding Centralized Coordination in Large-Scale Emergency Situations
  10. “Of Gods and Men”: Selected Print Media Coverage of Natural Disasters and Industrial Failures in Three Westminster Countries
  11. Spontaneous Planning after the San Bruno Gas Pipeline Explosion: A Case Study of Anticipation and Improvisation during Response and Recovery Operations
  12. Understanding Incident Response to Unplanned Releases at Chemical Facilities
  13. A Study on the Responsiveness of Local Health Departments that Use Facebook
  14. Texas takes on the TSA: The Constitutional Fight over Airport Security
  15. The Gulf Oil Spill and Economic Impacts: Extending the National Interstate Economic Model (NIEMO) to Account for Induced Impacts
  16. The Economic Value of Water: Providing Confidence and Context to FEMA’s Methodology
  17. Diffusion of Emergency Information during a Crisis within a University
  18. Resilience Building Policies and their Influence in Crisis Prevention, Absorption and Recovery
  19. Communication and News
  20. A Practitioner-Researcher Partnership to Develop and Deliver Operational Value of Threat, Risk and Vulnerability Assessment Training to meet the Requirements of Emergency Responders
  21. Regional Public-Private Interoperable Communications for Catastrophic Events Using a Cloud Computing Based Portal
  22. It’s Never Too Late: Restructuring the Department of Homeland Security’s Regional Framework
  23. Finding the New High Ground in Cyber War: Malware as an Instrument of War
  24. Opinions
  25. Cybersecurity and Emergency Management: Encryption and the Inability to Communicate
  26. Assessing the Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards after 5 Years: Achievements, Challenges, and Risks Ahead
  27. Book Review
  28. Emergency Management: The American Experience 1900–2010 (2nd Edition)
Downloaded on 23.11.2025 from https://www.degruyterbrill.com/document/doi/10.1515/jhsem-2012-0052/html
Scroll to top button