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Convenors of Capability
Title: Convenors of Capability
Date: spring 2008
Author: Michael Delurey, David Sulek, and Lawrence Frascella
Institution: Booz Allen Hamilton
Bibliographic Entry: Delurey, M., Sulek, D. & Frascella, L. “Convenors of Capability.” Strategy+Business. 2008; 50:91-99.
Electronic Link: http://www.strategy-business.com/media/file/sb50_08109.pdf
Key Words: Hurricane Katrina, rebuilding, megacommunity, infrastructure
Summary of Key Points, Issues, Conclusions:
This article discusses a specific example of how a “megacommunity” strategy is working for East Biloxi, Mississippi. After Hurricane Katrina wiped out the city, business and tourist infrastructure was rebuilt quickly; unfortunately, many residents still do not have homes rebuilt after the storm. The story reflects what the Hope Center is doing to help locals rebuild their homes with the help of government, not-for-profit organizations and businesses.
“The rebuilding of East Biloxi is the kind of problem that presents too much complexity for the government sector, the business sector, or civil society to tackle alone. It calls for an entirely different approach. The solution to such problems may well lie in designing and implementing new types of in-depth collaboration among related organizations in all three sectors, or what we call a “megacommunity.” Leaders in a megacommunity cannot hope to control the situation unilaterally; they must learn how to work together.”
This approach is working, according to the authors. The Hope Community Center has roughly 30 builds going on at one time and 60 home repairs at any single time. The authors also believe that having a three-tier system of doing business works best for a megacommunity. It consists of “fully involved leaders and employees from government, businesses, and not-for-profit organizations working closely together,” for Biloxi.
Name of Researcher: Jennifer Davis
Institution: Integrative Center for Homeland Security, Texas A&M University
Date Posted: April 9, 2008