Local Venturing as Compassion Organizing in the Aftermath of a Natural Disaster: The Role of Localness and Community in Reducing Suffering

Keywords

natural disaster response, compassion organizing, local venturing

Abstract

In contrast to models of compassion within existing organizations, this grounded theory study examines how ventures emerge relying on localness and community in direct response to ‘opportunities’ to alleviate suffering in the aftermath of a natural disaster. While a natural disaster is a surprising disruptive event devastating a local community, that local community is nested within a broader community, which can be a source of abundant resources. Ventures created in the aftermath of a natural disaster, given local knowledge and unencumbered by pre-existing systems, procedures, and capabilities, are highly effective at connecting the broader community with the local community through customizing resources to meet victims' needs and to quickly delivering these resources to alleviate suffering.

Original Publication Citation

"Shepherd, D.A. & Williams, T.A. (2014) “Local venturing as compassion organizing in the aftermath of a natural disaster: The role of localness and community in reducing suffering.” Journal of Management Studies, 51 (6): 952-994."

Document Type

Peer-Reviewed Article

Publication Date

2014

Publisher

Journal of Management Studies

Language

English

College

Marriott School of Business

Department

Marketing

University Standing at Time of Publication

Associate Professor

Link to Full Text

Share

COinS