Cross-sector collaboration in times of crisis

Findings from a study of the Funing tornado in China

Bibliographic Data

ID6303420
AuthorsYana Lu (Nanjing Normal University), Yanwei Li (0000-0002-6928-2478, Nanjing Normal University, corresponding author)
Year2020
Volume46
Issue3
Pages459-482
Publication date2020-05-03
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueLocal Government Studies (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0300-3930 • E-ISSN: 1743-9388
PublisherInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/03003930.2019.1677626
OpenAlexW2980369152
LanguageEN
Citations received13
References cited33

The recent occurrence of several large-scale crises, such as the Wenchuan and Yaan earthquakes, the Gansu mudslides, the Tianjin port blast, and the Funing tornado, has led decision makers in China to increasingly recognise the need to engage non-government organizations (NGOs) in responding to crises. In this study, we establish a framework to analyse collaboration between government and NGOs during crises. This framework consists of four levels for cross-sector collaboration, and six conditions explaining them. The framework is used to analyse a case study on collaboration between local government and NGOs during the Funing tornado. Collaboration occurred at the information sharing and action coordination levels. We conclude the formal collaboration between government and NGOs in this case was still limited and it was not based on negotiations and interactions. Instead, it was essentially hierarchical and control-oriented. This type of collaboration might have the advantage of responding to crises in an effective way, but it comes at the cost of trust, commitment and reciprocity

Business · China · Collective action · Government (linguistics · Negotiation · Political science · Politics · Public relations · Reciprocity (cultural anthropology · Sociology · Tornado · Disaster Management and Resilience · Law · Nonprofit Sector and Volunteering · Public Policy and Administration Research