Conceptualisation of Disaster Recovery: A Harmonisation of Theoretical and Conceptual Arguments for Effective Assessment and Comparison

Abstract

Despite the general recognition of the importance of disaster recovery in disaster management efforts, there is conceptual confusion among researchers and practitioners over the appropriate paradigm to assess disaster recovery. Whereas some writers argue that disaster recovery should be measured in relation to the pre-disaster conditions, others contend that disaster recovery should be measured in reference to a counterfactual state, which would have existed if the disaster had not occurred. This conceptual confusion has made it difficult to develop a comprehensive theory to explain disaster recovery. It has also created methodological challenges in comparing disaster recovery efforts across institutions and countries.Disaster recovery is the most poorly understood and least well researched among researchers and practitioners in the disaster management cycle. At the operational level, broad knowledge of what to do is still lacking, and thus the ability to act properly and effectively also is deficient. Although this problem has been recognised for over 25 years, little has been done to address it. This study sought to contribute to the building of knowledge and understanding on disaster recovery by harmonising the various arguments advanced to measure the concept. The study used the Darwin’s evolution theory to explain the recovery processes following disaster. The main elements presented in the various conceptualisations of disaster recovery were discussed under the study and concluded that disaster recovery should be conceptualised as the deliberate incorporation of hazard mitigation mechanisms, through both endogenous and exogenous efforts, to restore disaster victims and impact areas to pre-disaster situation.

Keywords: Conceptualisation of disaster recovery, Disaster, Disaster recovery, Disaster recovery framework, Theoretical argument for disaster recovery