An organizational capability framework for earthquake recovery

Abstract

Engineering and construction capability affects the cost and pace of post-disaster recovery. An organizational capability framework for effective earthquake recovery was developed after studying longitudinally 15 engineering and construction organizations following the 2010/11 earthquakes in Christchurch, New Zealand. The longitudinal case studies, conducted from 2012 to 2015, revealed insights regarding the multitude of decisions that affected demands for engineering and construction post-earthquake, and thus the capability of organizations to meet demands. The framework presents five major challenges faced by organizations operating in an earthquake recovery environment and three core organizational capabilities required to address these challenges: disaster recovery know-how, organizational adaptive capacity to meet changing demands, and collective support among organizations. The findings offer real experience to help engineering and construction industries anticipate capability challenges and prepare for them as a business, as a sector, and as a partner with government agencies in a disaster management context.