Social Capital and Preparedness: Key Concepts and Recommendations for Emergency Managers

Abstract

This paper reviews and synthesizes the research surrounding social capital and its implications and applications for disaster preparedness and response. The purpose of this effort is to focus and synthesize the many ways social capital can be leveraged by emergency management practitioners to increase preparedness and response performance. The literature review provides contextual underpinnings for recommendations within five strategic domain areas. These recommendations are intended to deliver actionable steps that emergency management practitioners can use as they prepare for and respond to disasters.