Abstract:

Establislied organizations refer to those which respond, in a disaster context, with their regular personnel engaged in familiar tasks.  A theoretical fral?lework is presented viewing such organization's pre-disaster operations as constituting a situation where their capabilities exceed the demands made on them.  From this conceptualization, certain hypotheses are derived indicating conditions of organizational stress.  Operational problems of established organizations in a disaster context are discussed as well as forms of differential adaptation, problems of mobilization and types of interorganizational relationships.  Based on observations of DRC in a variety of disaster situations, it was concluded that established organizations normally minimized stress and could function with a high degree of effectiveness.  On the other hand, the reluctance of such organizations to accept new tasks and additional manpower would force others within a comniunity to assume these obligations in a widespread disaster event.

Paper Requests:

The full-text of this article is available for $5.00 All publication orders must be PREPAID in U.S. DOLLARS ONLY. A proforma invoice is available upon request. Orders submitted without prepayment will be returned, unfilled, to the sender. 

                                       DOMESTIC: Add 10% to all orders for postage and
                                       handling. All items are sent Third-class mail. If you require
                                       First Class service, add an additional $1.00 per publication
                                       ordered. 

                                       FOREIGN: A 20% surcharge must be added to the total
                                       cost of the order. All items are sent Third-class mail. If air
                                       mail service is desired, add $2.00 per publication ordered
 

Please make checks payable to University of Delaware. Send inquiries, orders and payments to: 

                          Disaster Research Center--Publications 
                          University of Delaware
                          Newark, DE 19716
                           (302)831-6618:Phone 
                           (302)831-2091:Fax
                          castelli@udel.edu:Email