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Coordination Structures and Mechanisms for Crisis Management in China: Challenges of Complexity

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  • Tom Christensen

    (University of Oslo
    Renmin University of China)

  • Liang Ma

    (Renmin University of China)

Abstract

When responding to crises, a joint approach is often used, which requires coordination among government agencies and other institutions. In this article we combine the vertical and horizontal dimensions to develop a theoretical framework to explain the patterns and performance of coordination. By drawing on structural-instrumental and institutional perspectives, we examine the coordination structures and mechanisms in China’s crisis management at the central and local levels. We outline the main structural characteristics of the Chinese system and the overall challenges it faces. We then discuss four crises that have happened in and around Beijing, using these to illustrate the crucial factors driving coordination successes and failures. Lastly, we discuss some comparative features and the theoretical and policy implications of our main results.

Suggested Citation

  • Tom Christensen & Liang Ma, 2020. "Coordination Structures and Mechanisms for Crisis Management in China: Challenges of Complexity," Public Organization Review, Springer, vol. 20(1), pages 19-36, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:porgrv:v:20:y:2020:i:1:d:10.1007_s11115-018-0423-9
    DOI: 10.1007/s11115-018-0423-9
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Hasan Muhammad Baniamin, 2021. "Citizens’ Initiatives for Crisis Management and the Use of Social Media: An Analysis of COVID-19 Crisis in Bangladesh," Public Organization Review, Springer, vol. 21(4), pages 797-813, December.
    2. Katarzyna Sienkiewicz-Małyjurek & Tomasz Owczarek, 2020. "Complementarity of Communication and Coordination in Ensuring Effectiveness of Emergency Management Networks," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(1), pages 1-20, December.
    3. Yihong Liu & Tom Christensen, 2022. "The long‐term development of crisis management in China—Continuity, institutional punctuations and reforms," Review of Policy Research, Policy Studies Organization, vol. 39(3), pages 282-302, May.
    4. Shiying Ge & Ming Shan & Zhao Zhai, 2025. "Emergency Preparedness in China’s Urban Rail Transit System: A Systematic Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(2), pages 1-23, January.
    5. Pan Tang & Shiqi Shao & Dapeng Zhou & Huihua Hu, 2021. "Understanding the Collaborative Process and Its Effects on Perceived Outcomes during Emergency Response in China: From Perspectives of Local Government Sectors," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(14), pages 1-19, July.
    6. Slamet Rosyadi & Ahmad Sabiq & Abdul Aziz Ahmad & Nuryanti, 2022. "The Indonesian Government Capacity in Responding to the COVID-19 Impacts on the Creative Economy Sector," SAGE Open, , vol. 12(2), pages 21582440221, June.
    7. Tom Christensen & Liang Ma, 2021. "Comparing SARS and COVID-19: Challenges of Governance Capacity and Legitimacy," Public Organization Review, Springer, vol. 21(4), pages 629-645, December.
    8. Shuigen Hu & Xiaochi Wu & Yilin Cang, 2024. "Exploring Business Environment Policy Changes in China Using Quantitative Text Analysis," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(5), pages 1-19, March.

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