Strategic management of natural disasters : Italy, Japan and the United States in comparison

Abstract

Italy, Japan and the United States are exposed to numerous natural hazards. In particular, geophysical, hydro-meteorological and climatological extreme events have produced loss of human life, injuries and extensive damage to homes, businesses and other infrastructure. In this dissertation, the Italian, Japanese and American disaster planning and management abilities of the last twenty years are analyzed and evaluated according to two common frameworks in disaster Literature: Hyogo (2005) requirements for good preparedness planning and Quarantelli’s (1997) ten criteria for good disaster management. Moreover, while authors prevalently confine the application of stakeholder theories to private sector contexts, this thesis approaches disaster management issues by applying Freeman’s (1984) definition and Savage et al.’s (1991) model of stakeholder management. As a result of the combination of disaster management principles and stakeholder theories, the conclusions reached through this research may inspire Italian, Japanese and American policymakers and emergency managers on how to ideally plan for and manage natural disasters, while taking into consideration and appropriately approaching the involved emergency management stakeholders.