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Boundary Work to Conduct Business as Usual: Interaction at the Boundary Between the Affected Organization and Emergency Responders
Author(s) -
Oscarsson Olof
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
risk, hazards and crisis in public policy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.634
H-Index - 8
ISSN - 1944-4079
DOI - 10.1002/rhc3.12157
Subject(s) - boundary (topology) , work (physics) , boundary work , boundary spanning , business , public relations , division of labour , division (mathematics) , knowledge management , engineering , computer science , sociology , political science , mechanical engineering , law , mathematical analysis , mathematics , social science , arithmetic
The goal of this study was to examine the interaction when a workplace suffers an emergency and the emergency responders temporarily deploy their workplace inside the affected workplace to address the emergency. The research is based on semi‐structured interviews with personnel from fire and rescue services and personnel from schools and elderly care centers. The results are structured around four boundary work practices that govern the interaction: emergency containment, division of responsibility, division of labor and crossing the boundary. These boundary work practices provide structure and enable both parties to concentrate on their own work. It also enables support over the workplace boundaries. Thus, the interaction may be described as a cooperation mutually accomplished by both parties.