Myopia during emergency improvisation: lessons from a catastrophic wildfire

Cunha, MP; Clegg, S; Rego, A; Giustiniano, L; Abrantes, ACM; Miner, AS; Simpson, AV

Myopia during emergency improvisation: lessons from a catastrophic wildfire

Cunha, MP Clegg, S

Rego, A Giustiniano, L Abrantes, ACM Miner, AS Simpson, AV

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Publisher:: EMERALD GROUP PUBLISHING LTD
Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: Management Decision, 2022, 60, (7), pp. 2019-2041
Issue Date:: 2022-07-19

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Cunha, MP
dc.contributor.author	Clegg, S https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6083-4283
dc.contributor.author	Rego, A
dc.contributor.author	Giustiniano, L
dc.contributor.author	Abrantes, ACM
dc.contributor.author	Miner, AS
dc.contributor.author	Simpson, AV
dc.date.accessioned	2022-11-17T23:59:24Z
dc.date.available	2022-11-17T23:59:24Z
dc.date.issued	2022-07-19
dc.identifier.citation	Management Decision, 2022, 60, (7), pp. 2019-2041
dc.identifier.issn	0025-1747
dc.identifier.issn	1758-6070
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/163572
dc.description.abstract	Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to explore how a number of processes joined to create the microlevel strategies and procedures that resulted in the most lethal and tragic forest fire in Portugal's history, recalled as the EN236-1 road tragedy in the fire of Pedrógão Grande. Design/methodology/approach: Using an inductive theory development approach, the authors consider how the urgency and scale of perceived danger coupled with failures of system-wide communication led fire teams to improvise repeatedly. Findings: The paper shows how structure collapse led teams to use only local information prompting acts of improvisational myopia, in the particular shape of corrosive myopia, and how a form of incidental improvisation led to catastrophic results. Practical implications: The research offers insights into the dangers of improvisation arising from corrosive myopia, identifying ways to minimize them with the development of improvisation practices that allow for the creation of new patterns of action. The implications for managing surprise through improvisation extend to risk contexts beyond wildfires. Originality/value: The paper stands out for showing the impact of improvisational myopia, especially in its corrosive form, which stands in stark contrast to the central role of attention to the local context highlighted in previous research on improvisation. At the same time, by exploring the effects of incidental improvisation, it also departs from the agentic conception of improvisation widely discussed in the improvisation literature.
dc.language	English
dc.publisher	EMERALD GROUP PUBLISHING LTD
dc.relation.ispartof	Management Decision
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.1108/MD-03-2021-0378
dc.rights	info:eu-repo/semantics/closedAccess
dc.subject	1503 Business and Management, 1505 Marketing, 2202 History and Philosophy of Specific Fields
dc.subject.classification	Business & Management
dc.title	Myopia during emergency improvisation: lessons from a catastrophic wildfire
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	60
utslib.for	1503 Business and Management
utslib.for	1505 Marketing
utslib.for	2202 History and Philosophy of Specific Fields
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Business
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Business/Management Discipline
utslib.copyright.status	closed_access	*
dc.date.updated	2022-11-17T23:59:23Z
pubs.issue	7
pubs.publication-status	Published
pubs.volume	60
utslib.citation.issue	7

Abstract:

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to explore how a number of processes joined to create the microlevel strategies and procedures that resulted in the most lethal and tragic forest fire in Portugal's history, recalled as the EN236-1 road tragedy in the fire of Pedrógão Grande. Design/methodology/approach: Using an inductive theory development approach, the authors consider how the urgency and scale of perceived danger coupled with failures of system-wide communication led fire teams to improvise repeatedly. Findings: The paper shows how structure collapse led teams to use only local information prompting acts of improvisational myopia, in the particular shape of corrosive myopia, and how a form of incidental improvisation led to catastrophic results. Practical implications: The research offers insights into the dangers of improvisation arising from corrosive myopia, identifying ways to minimize them with the development of improvisation practices that allow for the creation of new patterns of action. The implications for managing surprise through improvisation extend to risk contexts beyond wildfires. Originality/value: The paper stands out for showing the impact of improvisational myopia, especially in its corrosive form, which stands in stark contrast to the central role of attention to the local context highlighted in previous research on improvisation. At the same time, by exploring the effects of incidental improvisation, it also departs from the agentic conception of improvisation widely discussed in the improvisation literature.

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http://hdl.handle.net/10453/163572