Designing, Managing, and Sustaining Functionally Collaborative Emergency Management Networks

Abstract

The networked governance performance in emergency management is dependent on structural, spatial, and temporal issues embedded into interorganizational relationships. Network sustainability is one of such issues that requires due attention by scholars and practitioners in the field. This article examines how network sustainability, namely, the extent to which network relationships are maintained and nurtured over time, is affected by interdependent network relationships, network complexity, and information-communication technology (ICT) utilization at the local level. Based on 118 responses from a self-administered survey distributed to four county-based metropolitan regions in the state of Florida, this study provides a multiple linear regression analysis. Using UCINET social network analysis software, additional analysis of the network structure and relationships in the four counties is provided for further insight. The findings suggest positive and statistically significant relationships between network relationships and information-communication technology utilization and that there is no statistically significant impact of network complexity as well as control variables such as sector type, number of full-time employees, and yearly budget. The network analysis suggests different patterns between friendship and advice networks during the preparedness and response phases of an emergency. This study contributes to the literature on networked governance applied to the field of emergency management.