The complexity of technological disaster management: technical, sociopolitical and scientific issues

Abstract

Technological disaster management is a complex activity. This paper will at tempt to explain the dynamics of this complexity. A case study on a PCB fire in Saint-Basile-le-Grand, Quebec, Canada, was based on strategical analysis and action theory. Three points emerged from the research. First, there is a new category of issues raised by some technological disasters, apart from the two traditional categories of technical and sociopolitical problems that face disas ter managers; this is the category of scientific issues. Second, the uncertainty in each category of issues, as well as the interdependence of the various categories, increases the complexity of disaster management. Third, the number of partici pants involved (individuals, groups and organizations), their various frames of reference, the lack of coordinating mechanisms, and the relationships be tween these three elements all contribute to the complexity of disaster management.