Regional emergency networks: how organizations shape technological collaborations under extreme conditions

ABSTRACT

The aim of this research is to undertake explorative research and present propositions that would identify the drivers of regional emergency networks, i.e. regional technological collaborative agreements under extreme conditions. Based on previous studies on emergency management, we empirically evaluate how 49 organizations built 53 technological cooperative agreements within the context of COVID-19. We consider individual, dyadic and whole network level variables to build on theory about how these emergency networks are created. We propose that emergency networks are developed under embedded relationships, with physically proximate partners that are also indirectly connected. Secondly, we establish that emergency networks are characterized by heterarchical leadership with lower density connections between many different partners. Finally, we deliberate on the role of partner diversity in developing emergency networks, establishing alternative propositions based on the similarity in innovative capacity and institutional character of the partners.

KEYWORDS:

• Resilience
• emergency management
• network centrality
• emergency network dynamics
• diversity
• exploratory research

Additional information

Funding

The work was supported by the Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación [”Estrategia e innovación medioambiental: una perspectiva desde el conocimiento y el capital intelectual” (PID2020-117564 GA-I00).]; Chair GVA-UMH for the Transformation of the Economic Model.