aphy & N r at Muhammad, J Geogr Nat Disast 2018, 8:2 og u e ra l G f D DOI: 10.4172/2167-0587.1000225 o i s l a Journal of a s n t r e u r s o J ISSN: 2167-0587 Geography & Natural Disasters ResearchResearch Article Article OpenOpen Access Access Theory Building in Disaster Management: Intricacies and Barriers Muhammad RJ* Training and Development, Pakistan Institute of Management, Lahore, Pakistan Abstract The focal and prime aim of this paper is to look into the relative possibilities impossibilities with reference to theory building in the discipline of emergency/disaster management. It seems plausible to have concrete knowledge based conceptual scholarship in every discipline that adds value towards relative functions and operations within the close proximity of that discipline; vis-à-vis, it even enriches and enlarges the information network that provides primary foundation to transform a disaster management organization into a learning organization. Keywords: Disaster; Theory; Framework; Emergency; Management contains multiple meanings, as detailed above. David McEntire defined theory as ideal or preferred conditions that academics are trying to Introduction promote in the world around us [5]. We come across confronting The focal and prime aim of this paper is to look into the relative and disturbing circumstances around us that are all the way different possibilities and impossibilities with reference to theory building in from ideal conditioan that we want for us; within the close proximity the discipline of emergency/disaster management. It seems plausible of emergency management, we want to counter the losses, damages, to have concrete knowledge based conceptual scholarship in every destructions and disturbances around us and try to improve the post- discipline that adds value towards relative functions and operations disaster conditions for a better social setup. Another aspect of theory is within the close proximity of that discipline; vis-à-vis, it even the it contains entire body of knowledge, comprehensive set of related enriches and enlarges the information network that provides primary concepts, activities and terms that comprise a professional domain [6]. foundation to transform a disaster management organization into One of the prime and core functions of a theory is to provide concerete a learning organization. This paper encompasses, philosophical and academic definitions to clarify related terminologies in terms to express sociological underpinnings coupled with five definite variables that knowledge and information in a precise and meaningful manner; it is hinder the possibilities of generalizability needed to establish a theory. necessery to define issues and phenomena with adequacy and accuracy Furthermore, this research initiative incorporates previous work with [7]. There has been and there is a constant confusion the way hazard reference to captioned subject and adds novel dimensions, so that is defined and same as the term disaster. Unless, this confusion about process of theoretical progression can be regressed plausibly. the definition of hazard is over, we cannot come down to clarfiy hazard in its distinct type. Another dimension of a theory is, also paralleled Ontology of theory repeatedly to concepts that are empirical devices which qualify understanding. Concepts in their generalized sense create mental Business dictionary defines theory as A set of assumptions, imageries of those objects about which people think and talk [8]. In propositions, or accepted facts that attempts to provide a plausible or emergency management, the foremost concept of convergence is very rational explanation of cause-and-effect (causal) relationships among significant as resources come from different dimensions and gather a group of observed phenomenon. The word's origin (from the Greek on a single point of distribution, it strengthens whole process of post- thorós, a spectator), stresses the fact that all theories are mental models disaster management and further exemplifies the need of integration of the perceived reality. Theory is simply a meditative or coherent form among different bodies and authorities best suited to counter the after that further offers descriptive framework for particular observations effects of disaster. and with the help of certain assumptions relevant to explanation follows scores of hypotheses that are tested to gain support or challenge Role of a theory the theory. Theory can also be a body of knowledge not associated with specific explanatory models and theorizing helps develop this The foremost question is that, is it necessary for every discipline body of knowledge [1]. Aristotle contrasted theory with practice to own a theory? In the perspective of some arguments given above, it seems that every discipline must contain a well defined, prescribed, and maintained that practice and theory are same as both involve comprehensive and concrete body of knowledge for its rational and extensive thinking, rather focal aim of both is different, as theoratical professional progression. Many disciplines contain central theoratical deliberation contains abstract and metaphysical notions that are issues and while keeping focus on these issues, they generate rich out of the reach of human experience but this theoratical reflection extensively provides intrinsic knowledge needed to establish required framework based upon epistemological foundations [2,3]. In their very *Corresponding author: Muhammad RJ, General Manager, Training and fundamental sense, theories are analytical tools for comprehending, Development, Pakistan Institute of Management, 70-B/II, Gulberg-III, Lahore, clarifying and building expectation about pre-arranged subject matter; Pakistan, Tel: 92-324-490221; E-mail: [email protected] Theory is assembled of a set of statements that contain true statements Received February 28, 2017; Accepted June 21, 2018; Published July 01, 2018 about the subject matter under discussion [4]. Though, the truth of Citation: Muhammad RJ (2018) Theory Building in Disaster Management: any one of these statements is at all times relative to the whole theory; Intricacies and Barriers. J Geogr Nat Disast 8: 225. doi: 10.4172/2167- that is why, often these statements are true referencing one theory 0587.1000225 but not in the case of another theory. The term theory, as captioned Copyright: © 2018 Muhammad RJ, et al. This is an open-access article distributed above, drives disagreement among scholars and different schools of under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the social sciences; the prime reason of this disagreement is that theory original author and source are credited. J Geogr Nat Disast, an open access journal Volume 8 • Issue 2 • 1000225 ISSN: 2167-0587 Citation: Muhammad RJ (2018) Theory Building in Disaster Management: Intricacies and Barriers. J Geogr Nat Disast 8: 225. doi: 10.4172/2167- 0587.1000225 Page 2 of 9 literature to provide rationale and support in its favor. This theoratical as the greatest hazard; industrial explosion and mass scale operational focus helps maintain the boundaries of that discipline and paves the tragedies were the second dimension of hazard; terrorism and anti- way towards further progression. For last many years, comprehensive social activism turned out to be the latest aspect of hazard. On the emergency management [CEM] has been playing the role of a contrary, natural hazards are moving along with this known typology. theoratical model that not only combines all required resources but The approach, mechanism, gravity and nature of these hazards are also provides a clear guideline to be used in case of any emergency different from one another and we need to frame the commonality in and disaster [9]. Although, the framework presented in CEM is order to derive and define hazard as a socially acceptable phenomenon. widespread and practical but it seems difficult for comprehension and implementation to have a single point of understanding to cover Concept of vulnerability all related aspects of a discipline. In this very regard, we find CEM The prime concept of hazard is complex and intricate and we cannot vulnerable in explaining economic, political and cultural aspects call an hazard as "disaster in making; if an earthquake hits an isolated of disaster in real sense of words, that shows its limitation [10]. In desert with no poulation and property then it would not be tagged as order to address this weakness of theory, other relevant perspectives disaster" [16]. The magnitude of any disaster is ascertained through were brought in social construction perspective that is contrary to the the level of vulnerability of the area exposed to a natural phenomenon technocratic perspective of disaster and presents a different point of aka hazard aka disaster. So, it is vulnerability that provides distinction view and further clarifies relevant areas. As it is evidently clear that between an hazard and disaster. None of the hazards counter there is no single handed theory available in emergency management vulnerability but vulnerabnility always counters hazard as it is the state but perhaps we can look for a comprehensive theory that covers every that ensures existense of vulnerability [17]. The question arises here associated variable and relevant issue related to disaster; but, again the is, are we discussing disasters or vulnerability? As there has been no risk