|
" Evidence-based decision-making and managerial chaos in population displacement emergencies : "
Diskett, Patricia Muriel.
| Document Type
|
:
|
Latin Dissertation
|
| Record Number
|
:
|
1092620
|
| Doc. No
|
:
|
TLets243111
|
| Main Entry
|
:
|
Diskett, Patricia Muriel.
|
| Title & Author
|
:
|
Evidence-based decision-making and managerial chaos in population displacement emergencies :\ Diskett, Patricia Muriel.
|
| College
|
:
|
University of Liverpool
|
| Date
|
:
|
1997
|
| student score
|
:
|
1997
|
| Degree
|
:
|
Ph.D.
|
| Abstract
|
:
|
The aim of the thesis is to explore (from a management perspective), the role,potential and limitations of evidence-basedd ecision-making in an acute populationdisplacement emergency. Using an epidemiological approach, I evaluate itseffectiveness in reducing and controlling mortality, malnutrition and diseaseoutbreaks. Influences on the approach, blocks and facilitating factors are alsoidentified. The difficulties associatedw ith using a rational approach in a chaoticsetting are confronted. The literature review (Chapter 1) draws on lessons learntfrom selectedp revious emergenciesa nd identifies opportunities and problem areas.This case study describes and analyzes the first year of an emergency reliefprogramme for 250,000 Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh. The research is basedon primary data collected using three main methods and verified throughtriangulation. These methods are participant observation, action research andepidemiological methods. Data are drawn from 20 refugee camps, 16 NGOs,selected UN agencies and government departments. The methods and context ofthe study are described in Chapters 2 and 3 respectivelThe emergency in Bangladesh is described from different viewpoints in order toanalyze the chaotic conditions under which the epidemiological approach wastested. Models are developed showing emergency phases from four perspectives.The demographic and epidemiological paradigms are discussed in Chapter 4, whilethe political and managerial viewpoints are analyzed in Chapter 5.Similar to other emergencies, a sequence of events and trends can be identified.In the models these are shown as clear phases in the relief programme. Unlikesome other emergencies, a number of the phases described occur concurrentlyrather than sequentially. For example, repatriation is an issue during the arrival(acute emergency) phase and acute crises occur in an apparently stable(continuation) phase.The relationships between crude mortality rates, malnutrition rates, diseaseoutbreaks and the various factors affecting decisions, are examined in Chapter 6.When using an epidemiological approach, a number of limitations are noted.Rapid decisions need to be made during the acute emergency phase, but the dataneeded for decision-making are of poor quality and information is not available ina timely way. When useable information is available, political and organisationalfactors inhibit rational decision-making. These factors can have a negative effecton the health and nutritional status of the refugees. Political influences ondecision-making are particularly strong. At times, political priorities takeprecedence over epidemiological evidenceEvidence-based decision-making can be used effectively by emergency managers toinfluence change. However managers and relief workers frequently lack thetraining and skills which are necessary to fully utilise such an approach. Ananalysis of political events, organisational factors and managerial chaos is ofbenefit (in support of evidence-based decision-making), as it facilitates a betterunderstanding of constraints and opportunities (Chapter 7). Areas which requirefurther research are summarised in Chapter
|
| Subject
|
:
|
Geography
|
| Added Entry
|
:
|
University of Liverpool
|
| |