Volume 19, Issue 3

It is essential to apply a collaborative network approach to address complex issues in public management and administration; however, evaluating network effectiveness is a challenge. This study addresses the common and unique elements of network effectiveness in the context of emergency management and proposes the addition of multiplexity to the conceptualization and measurement of disaster response network effectiveness. This study also stresses the importance of identifying the characteristics of and interactions among different types of interorganizational relationships when evaluating the effectiveness of disaster response networks. It further provides effectiveness measures and indicators for assessing the structural properties of multiple types of network relationships. This study highlights the role of preparedness interactions and informal relations as potential solutions to bridging the gap between planning, policy design and implementation, thus improving interorganizational collaboration during disaster response.

Natural disaster impacts can be mitigated by building community resilience and this recognition has elevated the importance of demonstrating the return on resilience investment. Subsequently, there is a demand for resilience measurement tools. The Baseline Resilience Indicator for Communities (BRIC), is an index based on variables representing resilience attributes identified in the literature. BRIC is representative of indices designed for national assessments, applies to multiple natural disasters at the county level in the US, and its application in national assessments has been demonstrated. This analysis tests the BRIC index in two longitudinal case studies by examining the variables that constitute the index. Specific variables used in the BRIC index are explored through the examination of the suitability of each variable for use in longitudinal studies at the county level and the variable’s skill in capturing known events and activities expected to have an impact on resilience. Detailed examination of each variable in the context of the community profile provides insights to improve formulations of variables. New variables are proposed to better capture community characteristics and actions that enhance resilience.

This study uses the Theory of Social Support to examine the impact of Hurricane Florence on the local food system during the immediate response to the disaster focusing on the social supportive nature of food and meals. Using a quick response disaster research methodology, field observations and qualitative interviews were conducted in Eastern North Carolina, in the days following Hurricane Florence in September 2018. Individuals affected by Hurricane Florence were recruited from emergency food and meal distribution sites. A codebook consisting of 66 parent and child codes based on the Theory of Social Support was applied to analyze 23 individual interviews. Sharing food with neighbors and/or relatives and utilizing post-disaster community feeding services improved the coping capacity of survivors. Results from this study contribute to the understanding of the post-disaster food environment and may help to improve food related response and recovery to meet the needs of those affected.