Beyond resources and dynamic capabilities during disaster response: Response organizations in turbulent and networked environment: The case of a disaster response organization's simulated response to chemical spill disaster

Abstract

Disaster Response Organizations (ROs) must sustain performance during times of disaster, which can be characterized as a 'mess' of interrelated problems. This study seeks to understand how coordination performance of response organizations in a disaster environment is assessed through a sound theoretical framework. Dynamic Capabilities Theory is widely used as a theoretical perspective to explain sustained organizational performance in dynamic environments. In this work, the theory is applied and tested to a simulated Chemical Disaster Spill of a Barcelona-based Disaster Response Organization. The case surfaced the limited applicability of the theory. Thus, insights on potential constructs that may be needed to extend the Dynamic Capabilities Theory are brought forth. Borrowing from other fields, the authors found preliminary empirical evidence to use a theoretical perspective based on improvisational and networked/collaborative capabilities. These results may benefit ROs by providing a better understanding of how they can sustain coordination performance in turbulent and networked environments.

Digital Capability Dissected

“…Pavlou and Sawy, 2010). As high uncertainty, high risk environments do not allow time to respond effectively, these capabilities often rely on the network (Villar and Miralles, 2014).…”