Citation

Celik S, Corbacioglu S. Safety Sci. 2016; 90: 5-13.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2016, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.ssci.2016.01.006

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

This paper examines inter-organizational coordination to diminish local communities' vulnerability to the H5N1 Avian Influenza virus. Avian Influenza caused an important health crisis in Turkey in early 2006. It was a significant threat to both human and animal health for Turkey and the rest of the world. The present study analyzed the 2006 Turkish disaster response to the H5N1 Avian Influenza virus.

The study utilized data from content analyses of news reports from the Turkish daily newspapers Cumhuriyet and Sabah. The network analysis, conducted with the UCINET 6.0 social network analysis software program, revealed that existing bureaucratic organizational structure, following a linear policy approach, inhibited the effective implementation of public policies. The formal structure and policies failed to anticipate the informal interactions and circumstances that occurred during the emergency operations. There were problems of coordination and integration between public agencies and other sector organizations from different jurisdictions in responding to the Avian Influenza crisis. According to the findings, a complex organizational design based on organizational flexibility is needed to harness drastic change and contribute to resiliency in local communities.

Language: en