Examining collaborative disaster response in China: network perspectives

Effective disaster response requires well-coordinated efforts among individuals and agencies. Although collaborative disaster response increases in popularity, little has been accomplished within the hierarchical, centralized command and control context of China. This study examined collaborative disaster response in China based on the case of extraordinary serious cryogenic freezing rain and snow disaster. In addition, public managers were surveyed to investigate network establishment, with preliminary analysis on whole network using centrality measures. Subsequently, the blockmodel was employed to discuss the whole network structure followed by analysis on structural holes and intermediaries. Lastly, issues such as obstacles to effective collaboration and propositions proposed for further research were discussed.