Abstract:

1. Purpose This research investigates the Japanese experience of GCPs, using self-organization, one of the concepts of CAS. A GCP will complement disaster management plans, which often focus on what governments should do to protect citizens during emergencies but fail to outline how governments should prepare for an emergency operation. The study concludes that GCPs contribute to increased resilience among the public sector in terms of robustness, redundancy, resourcefulness, and rapidity.

2. Design/methodology/approach The paper analyzes basic principles of government continuity planning using Complex Adaptive Systems (CAS) theory while summarizing recent developments in theory and practice of government continuity planning.

3. Findings This research investigates the Japanese experience of GCPs, using self-organization, one of the concepts of CAS. A GCP will complement disaster management plans, which often focus on what governments should do during emergencies but fail to outline how governments should prepare for emergencies. The study concludes that GCPs contribute to increased resilience among the public sector in terms of robustness, redundancy, resourcefulness, and rapidity.

4. Practical implications This paper includes implications for the development and improvement of a GCP’s operational guideline.

5. Originality/value This research fulfills an identified need to investigate the effectiveness of a GCP for resilience in the public sector and how to improve its operation using concepts of CAS.