Managing Disaster Networks in India

Abstract

This article studies a disaster management network in the state of Gujarat, India. Through social network analysis and interviews, the article examines the governance structure of a disaster management network and identifies factors that affect its effectiveness. Four factors – trust, number of participants in the network, goal consensus and the need for network-level competencies based on the nature of the task – were examined. The article concludes by discussing how the dynamics of these factors affected this particular disaster management network.

Key words:

• Network governance
• disaster management
• network management

Notes

1. It is important to note that the agency was not created specifically to administer the disaster management network. Rather, it was established as a government agency with a specific mission to deal with disasters, as there was no government authority designated to disaster management at the state level.

2. The state was awarded the 2003 UN Sasakawa Award for its outstanding work in the field of disaster management and risk reduction as well as the Gold Award by the Commonwealth Association for Public Administration & Management (CAPAM) for initiatives undertaken in governance.