10th Business & Management Conference, Paris

JOINT TRAINING AND COLLECTIVE IMPROVISATION IN EMERGENCY RESPONSE

ENSIEH ROUD

Abstract:

Emergency situations are characterized by ambiguity and confusion, the emergency period typically involved a blend of public, private and volunteer organizations. Thus, responding to emergencies requires the capability to meet the unforeseen and adapt to new condition. The need for improvisation can therefore be an imperative factor for the success of an operation. Moreover, the interconnectedness nature of emergencies calls for collaboration. Thus, collective improvisation can be a tool for handling challenges under extreme complexity of emergency situation. In this study the joint training is linked to capability of collective improvisation in emergency response at inter-organizational level. The aim of this conceptual paper is to explore why collective improvisation is important in emergency response in extreme environment, and identify the factors that influence the relationship between joint training and collective improvisation. To meet these aims, a literature review and a pilot study are conducted. The study shows that organizational memory, inter-organizational trust, inter-organizational communication and information sharing seem to be prerequisite and mediating variables, that influence collective improvisation positively. Organizational structure and complex context seem to influence collective improvisation in emergency response. Maritime emergency response in the Arctic sea region is selected as context of the study. The Arctic sea region has harsh climate with limited resources where involved organizations are both civil and military or naval organizations which makes the improvisation even more critical.

Keywords: Collective improvisation, joint training, emergency response, collaboration, Arctic

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