英文摘要 |
The various disasters that have brought catastrophic damage in recent yesrs indicate that the disaster relief system directed by government at all levels may need to be reinvented. Responding to the call to restructure the disaster relief system by merging hierarchy and collaborative networks, this research aims at exploring the nature of the hierarchical network employed by Tzu ChiFoundation from a complexity theoryperspective.Complexity theory argues that complex adaptive systems continuously evolve in a highly uncertain and complex environment by means of self-organization. The process of self-organization tends to result in the creation of new order leading to stronger adaptive capability and better performance. By analyzing the effects of different patterns of self-organization on the performance of disaster relief system of Tzu Chi, the following two research findings may worth to be highlighted:First, the structure of the disaster reliefsystem of Tzu Chi has successfully integrated hierarchy and networks that is capable of improving both vertical and horizontal collaboration. Second, Tzu Chi has included both conservative and dissipative self-organization in its disaster relief system to better adapt to the demands of different types of disasters. The disaster relief system model of Tsu Chi may not only provide an empirical framework for effectively operating the hierarchical network but also shed light on the value of applying the concept of self-organization in the field of disaster management. |