Introduction: Conditions for collaboration during crisis work - an introduction based on experiences from a Scandinavian context. Eric Carlström
In this symposium, we focus on collaboration as legislation and collaboration exercises in maritime contexts. Scandinavian countries are known for their flat hierarchical structures. It is assumed that if different organizations integrate their resources on an accident site, i.e. collaborate; they will improve their efficiency dealing with serious incidents. Such strategies challenge the ability to use common resources (Berlin and Carlstrom, 2015). Scandinavian authorities emphasize that exercises should be focused on identifying deficiencies, testing abilities, as well as developing collaboration at all levels of the preparedness system. In particular, cross-sector collaboration is highlighted as a particularly important task to be practiced. Getting employees to take the initiative to help each other across organizational boundaries is one of the more central goals in a collaboration exercise (Berlin and Carlstrom, 2014). Collaboration is brought into focus in situations of resource scarcity or resource asymmetry. This is especially needed at events where not all organizations are represented on the site. Such situations are common during a maritime crisis which is often characterized by long distances and severe weather conditions. As the first country in Scandinavia, Norway has included collaboration in the legislation which puts the focus on the preparedness, e.g. collaboration exercises. Furthermore, Norway has one of the longest coastline in the world and severe weather conditions, especially in the northern part of the country which puts a focus on risk, crisis work and collaboration in maritime context (Kristiansen et.al., 2017).