Social Sciences in China (Chinese Edition)

No. 1, 2025

The Roadmap of Emergency Management Theory Research with Chinese Characteristics

(Abstract)

Zhong Kaibin and Xue Lan

With the development of practice and the advancement of theoretical research, emergency management has become a key area of public management research in China. However, existing studies remain relatively fragmented, lacking a clear and complete overall framework, which hinders in-depth theoretical research and the stable development of the discipline. This article proposes a comprehensive analysis framework of “event characteristics—management system—spatio-temporal environment,” to outline the basic mapping of emergency management theory research with Chinese characteristics. It examines three levels: the occurrence mechanism and evolution characteristics of emergencies, the management systems for dealing with emergencies, and the spatio-temporal contexts in which emergency response activities are carried out, while also exploring key areas and priority development themes for future research on emergency management theory with Chinese characteristics. Research on emergency management theory with Chinese characteristics mainly encompasses six key areas and 21 priority themes. These include the evolution mechanisms of emergencies contextualized in China, an emergency management system centered on party and government leadership, a whole-life-cycle approach to emergency management processes, a contingency-focused institutional framework, tools emphasizing complementary advantages, and a macro-influenced emergency management environment.