| Abstract |
The objective of this paper is to understand understanding at the boundaries of inter-organizational crisis management – through different practitioner accounts of the Swedish COVID-19 response. Large-scale crisis management is challenging, as it demands cooperation across organizational boundaries. This paper presents an interview study conducted in Sweden during the COVID-19 response. Findings suggest that cooperative work at the inter-organizational boundaries depends on the ability to bridge discursive boundaries. From the perspective of an organization, this demands understanding of the rationale, values, constraints and capabilities of other organizations. Interviewees expressed frustration due to the time demands of establishing such an understanding. Despite time demands, establishing understanding was needed as the ability to conduct basic tasks such as sharing information and resources, and coordinating action emerge from that understanding. In this paper, it is suggested that new approaches to training that comprise general boundary-crossing skills be added to existing training and exercise programs. |
