Adaptive Dynamics in Local Disaster Management: A Comparative Network Analysis of Information Sharing and...

This study, based on Complex Adaptive Systems theory and the "4C" framework, explores the dynamics of information sharing and collaboration networks within China's emergency management system during disasters. It rigorously explores the nuances in the connections and differences between these networks. Employing Social Network Analysis (SNA) and Temporal Exponential Random Graph Models (TERGMs), the research scrutinizes the relationships of disaster information sharing and collaboration among local public departments in the aftermath of the 2016 Funing tornado in Jiangsu, China. This study is dedicated to understanding how these networks evolve within a hierarchical administrative framework. The findings underscore three pivotal trends in the evolution of information and collaboration networks: a reduction in network redundancy, localized strengthening in ties, and differential adaptations. These trends are instrumental in enhancing the broader understanding of emergency management. They spotlight the importance of efficient information dissemination and robust collaborative frameworks, particularly in the context of China's centralized and hierarchical emergency management structure.