Resilience Model (c) University of Essex 2012
This paper, “Economic Analysis of Resilience: A Framework for Local Policy Response Based on New Case Studies“, written by Pierre Régibeau (Imperial College, London and CRA International) and Katharine Rockett (University of Essex) takes a recent set of case studies on resilience of ecocultures to form the basis for a critical review of the resilience literature and the development of a proposal for a novel resilience index.
The paper notes the diversity of definitions of resilience and the confusion this creates in implementing resilience studies and develop a synthesis view that establishes a framework for defining resilience in an implementable way. This framework emphasises the importance of defining the source of and magnitude of shocks as part of the definition.
Next, they outline measurement issues, including a variety of performance measures that can be used to gauge resilience. They argue that self-determination and local ownership of resources is supported in the cases, and review the effectiveness of the informal insurance arrangements observed in the cases.
The paper then develops a suggestion for a resilience index based on variables suggested by the case studies. These could include:
- a measure of the susceptibility of a region to threats, including contagion from other regions,
- a measure of resource stocks that are available for short term mitigation of the shock such as liquid savings and physical resources that can be mobilised quickly,
- a measure of resource stocks available in the longer term such as non-liquid saving and physical resources that are available only with delay such as alternative crops or prey,
- the nature of social cohesiveness or social adaptability that captures the ability of human resources to be directed towards the threat,
- a measure of external support available to the region,
- a measure of integration of the region including in or out-migration, transport links, and linguistic integration,
- and a measure of governance that reflects the ability to control and manage resources and human response.
The paper explores the potential value of such an index and discusses lessons for regional governments who are developing resilience policy.
Update notes:
- 8/5/2012 – correct url provided, minor edits to references
