The Adaptive Shift: Embracing Complexity in Disaster and Emergency Management
Date
Authors
Miller, Todd
Dé, Loic Le
Hore, Katherine
Supervisor
Item type
Journal Article
Degree name
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Abstract
Disaster and Emergency Management (DEM) systems are increasingly challenged by the complexity and interconnectedness of today's DEM environment. While rigid, phased-based approaches to DEM provide valuable structural frameworks, they often fail in addressing the dynamic, non-linear, and unpredictable nature of contemporary disasters. This paper critically examines key challenges in DEM, including non-linearity, complexity, and the coordination of diverse actors and organisations. It advocates for a shift towards adaptive, interconnected systems that better align with the realities of complex disasters. To this end, the paper introduces the Complex Adaptive DEM (CADEM) Framework, a new conceptual framework grounded in Complex Adaptive Systems (CAS) theory. This framework emphasises decentralised decision-making, interorganisational collaboration, and emergent behaviours as mechanisms to enhance the adaptability and resilience of DEM systems. By reframing DEM as a networked and adaptive system, CADEM provides a pathway for navigating the multifaceted challenges of contemporary disasters.Description
Keywords
0502 Environmental Science and Management, 1117 Public Health and Health Services, 1604 Human Geography, 4404 Development studies, 4406 Human geography
Source
International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction, ISSN: 2212-4209 (Print), Elsevier BV, 119, 105323-105323. doi: 10.1016/j.ijdrr.2025.105323
Publisher's version
Rights statement
© 2025 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd. This is an open access article under the CC BY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).