An Inductive Theory Of Interorganization Coordination In Crises
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Date
1981
Authors
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Journal ISSN
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Publisher
Disaster Research Center
Abstract
Description
Coordination in an interorganization field (IOF) refers to representative decision-making and communication between coordinating unit(s) and member units. On the other hand, an IOF consists of decision-making units coupled with each other by directive- and report-information flows. Centralization or decentralization is one important dimension of decision-making structure, and is defined by the number of representative decision unit(s) in an IOF. Also crucial is the concentration-diffuseness dimension of the communication structure which refers to the distance between the representative decision unit(s) and member units. Then, while an organization is characterized by relatively high centralization and diffuseness, as well as by representativeness based on authority, an IOF will be either high or low in centralization and conconcentration. In addition, the representativeness of an IOF is based on contracts for the mandate or concession of decision-making rights.
Keywords
Interoganization Coordination, decision making, concentration-diffusiveness dimension, communication, centralization