Decisions in Disaster Recovery Operations: A Game Theoretic Perspective on Organization Cooperation

Abstract

Throughout history, disasters have had a defining impact on individuals, governments, and society as a whole. The terrorist attacks on September 11 th , 2001 and several catastrophic hurricanes in the gulf region have brought disaster response and emergency management to a new level of visibility and importance in the United States. The increased media coverage of international disasters, such as the Indian Ocean Tsunami in 2004 and the Earthquake in Haiti in 2010, have resulted in international disaster response and recovery efforts becoming a larger part of foreign policy for developed countries. The changing scene of disaster response and recovery has also resulted in a rapid increase in the number of private organizations emerging to assist in the wake of such catastrophes. There are significant cross-cultural dynamics and interoperability issues that become apparent when new actors (governments, businesses, organizations, etc.) enter an unfamiliar disaster environment which could reduce the operational efficacy of both local and foreign actors. In this project we propose an approach to support and guide decision makers in emergency environments on how to select and develop relationships to improve resource utilization and project outcomes in the wake of a disaster. Using game theory, we provide an initial approach for the development of a decision support framework for emergency managers entering a disaster environment.

A Stochastic Disaster Relief Game Theory Network Model

“…Rodriguez-Espindola, Albores, and Brewster [58] constructed a dynamic, multiobjective optimization model for humanitarian response operations incorporating multiple organizations but did not utilize game theory. Coles and Zhuang [10], earlier, discussed the potential of cooperative game theory in disaster recovery operations and provided a critique. Muggy and Heier Stamm [36] had also emphasized that cooperative models may assist in the identification of methods for partnering agencies to achieve greater impact than what is possible individually and independently.…”

Post‐disaster Cooperation Among Aid Agencies

“…Gross () used game theory in a simulation to find responses to crisis from social networking sites. Coles and Zhuang () report a game theory study supported by the National Center for Risk and Economic Analysis of Terrorism Events to explore cooperative interaction between international and local agencies.…”

Motive and Conflict in the Disaster Recovery Process of Housing Reconstruction in Sri Lanka after the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami

“…First of all, for shifting actual decisions to the desirable one, much research suggested normative solutions to change motive or related goals directly related to decisions (Ingram et al, 2006;Coles & Zhuang, 2011). Regarding the Sri Lankan government's decision on relocation, policymaker's recognition that forced relocation should be minimized by consultation with people, which can be one of the normative solutions.…”

“…In terms of short-term recovery, Coles and Zhuang (2011) analyzed interactions between international and local players for relief resource utilization using game theory. Regarding long-term recovery, Keraminiyage (2011) evaluated the applicability of game theory concepts to housing reconstruction.…”