Understanding the interdependency of organizations in a disaster is necessary to facilitate collaboration. Interdependencies in the utilities sector have traditionally focused upon the technical aspects of these dependencies. This research used empirical research methods that included an observational study of utility stakeholders during a real-time disaster. The study investigated the cultural challenges associated with the socio-cultural interdependencies that stakeholders from the utilities sector encountered when working in emergency management. Participants identified that a lack of legitimacy and trust created barriers to collaboration. The paper concludes with recommendations for the industry to address the potential cultural barriers encountered in a disaster.

Item Type:	Refereed Article
Keywords:	emergency management, collaboration, swift trust, disaster
Research Division:	Studies in Human Society
Research Group:	Policy and Administration
Research Field:	Public Administration
Objective Division:	Expanding Knowledge
Objective Group:	Expanding Knowledge
Objective Field:	Expanding Knowledge through Studies of Human Society
UTAS Author:	Curnin, S (Dr Steven Curnin)
ID Code:	127783
Year Published:	2018
Deposited By:	Office of the School of Social Sciences
Deposited On:	2018-08-15
Last Modified:	2019-03-20
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