The Wenchuan Earthquake Paired-Assistance Policy (PAP): A Network Perspective.

Abstract

The operation of the PAP in facilitating recovery from the Wenchuan Earthquake is best understood and analyzed from the perspective of networks. This policy accommodated the participation of organizations with various institutional backgrounds, and produced outcome dependent on collective efforts. From a network perspective, this article proposed five assumptions to explore the relationship between outcome of the recovery and implementation of the PAP. To examine these five assumptions, three additional cases are considered, namely the Guangdong-Wenchuan, Jiangsu-Mianzhu, and Shanghai-Dujiangyan PAPs. The major findings supported all assumptions. In terms of a ten years retrospective, the interactions of authority compliance initiated the PAP, and the interactions of resource input significantly contributed to rapid reconstruction following the earthquake. The interactions of knowledge transfer supported social system recovery, and the interactions of benefit reciprocity laid foundation to the sustainability of the recovery. By contrast, the interactions of performance comparison caused suboptimal overfunding of particular public infrastructure projects and reduced local self-reliance to some extent. Finally, suggestions are offered to maximize the efficacy of any subsequent use of PAP interventions in disaster management in the context of China. Policy implications are also discussed to extend the use of the PAP in other administrative contexts. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.