Three emergency management faculty have written chapters for a book published by the Public Entity Risk Institute in Fairfax, Va. The book, which is titled “Ideas From An Emerging Field: Teaching Emergency Management in Higher Education,” includes chapters by George A. Youngs, Daniel J. Klenow and Carol Cwiak.
Youngs’ article, “Constructing Theory for Emergency Managers: A Principles-Based Approach,” provides an analysis of the nationally and internationally adopted principles of emergency management and places them within the framework of social exchange theory which will facilitate research on the principles.
Klenow’s article, “Concepts, Frameworks and Theory: Perspectives on the Emergency of Emergency Management Theory,” presents a definition of emergency management theory and establishes a framework for that emerging substantive area. He also outlines impediments to the development of theory and directions for theoretical advancement and research in the field.
Cwiak’s article, “Strengthening the Emergency Management Higher Education Community: Addressing the Challenges Inherent in Internal and External Validity,” is co-written with Stacy Muffet-Willett from the University of Akron. It reviews challenges facing the emerging field of emergency management and provides directions for meeting those challenges. They also discuss issues of accreditation of emergency management programs.