Resiliency

The term resiliency in the context of crisis management describes the capacity over time of a system, organization, community, or individual to create, change, and implement multiple adaptive actions, procedures, and processes in the face of various types of crises.

Prior to the growing usage of resiliency in the various fields of social and management sciences, this term was developed in the natural sciences and engineering and referred to the capacity of a material or a system to return to equilibrium after a displacement.

Effective human systems should also be characterized by these adaptive capacities to confront crises in a rapid, comprehensive, and adaptive way. A high level of resiliency may be achieved only through continuous processes and ongoing efforts. Resiliency is constructed gradually over time but may be tested in any single moment without any warning by any type of crisis. Analysis of functioning in a certain crisis may lead to important lessons regarding the actual level of resiliency and derive conclusions for its further improvement. The level of resiliency is analyzed regarding human systems, such as organizations, communities, or societies as a whole; it is not enough that the stronger elements are resilient by themselves. It is necessary that all the elements of a system will be resilient in the face of the crisis [Page 812]because otherwise the less-resilient elements will substantially weaken the functioning of the system as a whole. The increase of resiliency of all the elements and groups is a substantial challenge because it requires allocation of multiple resources (mainly budget, planning, and time) and differential approaches to various groups (such as immigrants, people with disabilities, children, and the elderly), given their unique characteristics and gaps in terms of resiliency. However, the above efforts will enable a significant increase of resiliency of the systems as a whole and may determine whether the organization, community, or society will be able to cope with the crisis or not. Accordingly, the meaning of resiliency should not be underestimated. In addition, it should be mentioned that the level of connectivity of individuals, organizations, and communities with other individuals or entities may also highly influence the level of resiliency. The strong networks established with others may provide additional knowledge, experience, and continuous support—prior to and during the crisis—plus an additional origin of resources and more. These assets may enable individuals, organizations, and communities to implement the required adaptive actions that are the core element of resiliency.

The owners of this home in Minot, North Dakota, which was evacuated during the historic June 2011 Souris River flooding, update their residential status in October. Federal Emergency Management Agency officials survey the area in the background. In the context of crisis management, resiliency describes the capacity of a system, organization, community, or individual to respond to crisis in multiple positive ways. As Minot resident SuAnne Drawz stated during the flood, resiliency “is just part of the fabric of life up here.”

In addition to connectivity, achievement of a high level of resiliency depends also on the ability for innovation and creative thinking. In the constantly changing world, a crisis may imply a substantial challenge and threat for the existing structure. Those individuals, communities, and organizations that are willing and able to innovate have a greater potential to confront the crisis and to relate to it as an opportunity for further growth and development.

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