Leiden University Scholarly Publications

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Boersma, F.K.; Ferguson, J.; Groenewegen, P.; Wolbers, J.J. (2021)

The dynamics of power in disaster response networks

Article / Letter to editor
A major challenge for disaster scholars and policymakers is to understand the power dimension in response networks, particularly relating to collaboration and coordination. We propose a conceptual framework to study interests and negotiations in and between various civic and professional, response networks drawing on the concepts of “programming” and “switching” proposed by Manuel Castells in his work on the network society. Programming in disaster response refers to the ability to constitute response networks and to program/reprogram them in terms of the goals assigned to the network. Switching is the ability to connect different networks by sharing common goals and combining resources. We employ these concepts to understand how the US Federal Emergency Management Agency organized its response in the aftermath of Hurricanes Katrina and Sandy. Our conceptual framework can be used both by disaster scholars and policymakers to understand how networked power is constructed and...Show moreA major challenge for disaster scholars and policymakers is to understand the power dimension in response networks, particularly relating to collaboration and coordination. We propose a conceptual framework to study interests and negotiations in and between various civic and professional, response networks drawing on the concepts of “programming” and “switching” proposed by Manuel Castells in his work on the network society. Programming in disaster response refers to the ability to constitute response networks and to program/reprogram them in terms of the goals assigned to the network. Switching is the ability to connect different networks by sharing common goals and combining resources. We employ these concepts to understand how the US Federal Emergency Management Agency organized its response in the aftermath of Hurricanes Katrina and Sandy. Our conceptual framework can be used both by disaster scholars and policymakers to understand how networked power is constructed and utilized.
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All authors
Boersma, F.K.; Ferguson, J.; Groenewegen, P.; Wolbers, J.J.
Date
2021-03-24
Journal
Risk, Hazards & Crisis in Public Policy
Pages
1 - 16
Advanced Publication
Yes
DOI
doi:10.1002/rhc3.12218
Link
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/rhc3.12218

Funding

Sponsorship
NWO
Grant number
409-14-003