Dynamics of Interagency Networks under Stress in Public Health Emergencies: Evidence from China

Abstract

Disasters are continuously evolving complex processes. Coupling with rapidly changing conditions, response networks must change to meet external needs and adapt to the environment. This study explores the dynamics between stress and structural and functional characteristics of response networks in the centralized political context. Semantic analysis of policy documents shows that unmet needs are an underlying driver of the formation and the dynamics of task-oriented interagency networks. Network analysis shows that the interagency network is a hybrid network that evolves from a decentralized to a centralized structure as stress decreases. Moreover, the leading organizations also shift, which confirms the coordination by feedback in emergency response. After discussing research findings, this study offers recommendations (a) to identify and empower brokers for better coordination and (b) to combine coordination by feedback and coordination by plan.

KEYWORDS::

• Public health emergencies
• emergency response
• network analysis
• structural dynamics
• interorganizational networks
• covid-19

Notes

1 “San Zhi Yi Fu” program aims to recruit college graduates to support education, agriculture, medical and poverty alleviation work in rural area for two years. Since the program was enacted in 2006, 431,000 graduates have been sent to serve at the community level by 2021. The program plays a positive role in promoting economic and social development, and optimizing personnel structure.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by National Social Science Fund of China under Grant 13AGL009, “Emerging Risk and Adaptive Capacity of Emergency Management”; National Social Science Fund of China under Grant 20&D160, “The Modernization of China National Emergency Management System and Capacity”; and Nanjing University Innovation Program for PhD candidate under Grant CXYJ21-11, “Governmental Attentions in Public Health Crisis Governance.”

Notes on contributors

Yifan Niu

Yifan Niu is a doctoral student in the Center on Risk, Disaster, and Crisis Management in the School of Government at Nanjing University, China. Her research interests include emergency management, public health, and interorganizational collaboration.

Zhigang Tao

Zhigang Tao is a doctoral candidate in the Center on Risk, Disaster, and Crisis Management in the School of Government at Nanjing University, China. His research interests include emergency management, network studies, and policy studies.

Haibo Zhang

Haibo Zhang is a professor and director of the Center for Risk, Disaster, and Crisis Management in the School of Government at Nanjing University, China. His research interests include emergency management networks, social media and crisis communication, organizational and policy learning, and social governance in China.