Date of Conferral

2022

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Management

Advisor

Howard Schechter

Abstract

AbstractThe influence of bureaucratic structures has been shown to affect emergency management leaders’ ability to exercise adaptive responses because bureaucracy can constrain the operational effectiveness and facilitate organizational cultures not conducive to supporting adaptive responses. The purpose of this study was to explore the lived experiences of emergency management leaders in catastrophic incidents relative to bureaucratic organizing characteristics. A qualitative interpretive phenomenological analysis informed by complexity leadership theory was used to examine 12 emergency management leaders’ lived experiences in a catastrophic incident context. The thematic analysis found bureaucratic structures influenced organizational member behavior and organizational structural adaptation. Participants indicated that their ability to navigate bureaucracy was critical to mitigating the negative effects of bureaucratic structure on adaptive responses. To be effective, participants noted they must balance the implementation of bureaucratic processes for control while also shaping an environment for adaptive responses. Additionally, the context of an emergency influenced participant perceptions of the capabilities and actions required. Study participants indicated relationships and team member experience were critical for achieving successful response outcomes. Based on the findings, recommendations include developing specific training that stresses the organizational system, providing increased understanding of organizational culture to maximize performance, and relationship building. The study contributes to positive social change by providing mechanisms to mitigate bureaucratic processes that could positively influence community resilience

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