Emergent Phenomena in India after the Indian Ocean Tsunami

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine if emergence occurred after the Indian Ocean Tsunami in December 2004. Emergence defined as new tasks and structures after disasters that meet and manage massive disaster needs. For example, after a disaster emergent citizen groups perform disaster-generated tasks. A series of open-ended interviews with document collection and observational and visual data gathering procedures were used in the field. Snow-balling sampling was used to identify potential interviewees. Emergence occurred at the State, District, Municipal, Local and Non-Government Organization levels in India after the tsunami. Emergent tasks and structures developed to meet the disaster-generated needs. Emergent groups appeared to be short-lived and were composed of public officials and private citizens. Conditions that generated emergence appeared to be pre-existing social networks, the magnitude of the disaster, unmet needs, and proximity to the impact area. In addition, the need for quick and independent decision makers in the field appeared to trigger emergence at the State level. Emergence appeared in established, expanding, and extending organizations as well.