Volume 15, No. 2 (August 1997)

Articles by:

Richard Stuart Olson and A. Cooper Drury, "Un-Therapeutic Communities: A Cross-National Analysis of Post-Disaster Political Unrest," pp. 221-238.

A recurring question in the study of disaster effects involves political instability. A relationship has been posited between disasters and various forms of political unrest, and case evidence exists to support the contention. Statistical testing, however, has been lacking. A pilot study, this paper integrates a worldwide-disaster database with a political-instability database and reports time-series cross-section (pooled time-series) findings for 12 countries struck by rapid-onset natural disasters between 1966 and 1980. The regression results, both strong and significant, indicate a positive relationship between disaster severity and political unrest. The unrest, however, can be dampened if not eliminated by governmental repression, the implications of which are most disturbing. (AA)

David M. Neal, "Reconsidering the Phases of Disasters," pp. 239-264.

The use of disaster phases (e.g., preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation) has assisted both disaster researchers and managers. Disaster researchers have used disaster phases to systematize and codify research results. Disaster managers have drawn upon disaster periods to organize their own activities. Yet, many problems exist with the current use of disaster periods. In summary, I find that the current uses of disaster periods lack conceptual clarity for improving scientific and practical use. As a result, I suggest ways the field can recast the use of disaster phases to improve the theoretical and applied dimensions of the field. (AA)

James M. Dahlhamer and Melvin J. D'Souza, "Determinants of Business Disaster Preparedness," pp. 265-281.

Although there has been a proliferation of "how-to" planning guides in recent years, there has been very little documentation of the variation in and determinants of business disaster preparedness. The few studies that have been conducted have focused on specific firms or industrial sectors, such as the chemical or tourist industry, or have been plagued by too few cases. These problems clearly limit the generalizability of the research findings. This paper attempts to fill a void in the literature by exploring the determinants and variations of planning within the private sector utilizing two stratified random samples of businesses from Memphis/Shelby County, Tennessee (N=737) and Des Moines/Polk County, Iowa (N=1,079). Findings show that business size, whether the business property is owned or leased, and prior disaster experience are all related to business disaster preparedness in both study areas. Type of business was related to preparedness among businesses in Memphis/Shelby County. Policy implications of the findings are discussed. (AA)

Feedback from the Field

Walter E. Wright, "Incorporating Military Civil Affairs Support into Domestic Disaster Management," pp. 283-292.

Hélène Denis, "Technology, Structure, and Culture in Disaster Management," pp. 293-308.

The Critic's Corner

Gary Kreps and Susan Bosworth respond to David Gillespie's review of their Organizing, Role Enactment and Disaster [IJMED 14:2 (August, 1996), pp. 245-249.], pp. 309-313.

David Gillespie replies to the response of Kreps and Bosworth, pp. 315-319.