The American Review of Public Administration XX(X) 1–19 © The Author(s) 2012 Reprints and permission: sagepub.com/journalsPermissions.nav DOI: 10.1177/0275074012444719 http://arp.sagepub.com 444719ARP XX X 10.1177/0275074012444719Kapucu and GarayevThe American Review of Public Administration 2012 1 University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, USA 2 Gediz University, Izmir, Turkey Corresponding Author: Naim Kapucu, PhD, School of Public Administration, University of Central Florida, HPA II Suite 238M, Orlando, FL 32816-1395, USA Email: Kapucu@ucf.edu Designing, Managing, and Sustaining Functionally Collaborative Emergency Management Networks Naim Kapucu 1 and Vener Garayev 2 Abstract The networked governance performance in emergency management is dependent on struc- tural, spatial, and temporal issues embedded into interorganizational relationships. Network sustainability is one of such issues that requires due attention by scholars and practitioners in the field. This article examines how network sustainability, namely, the extent to which network relationships are maintained and nurtured over time, is affected by interdependent network relationships, network complexity, and information-communication technology (ICT) utilization at the local level. Based on 118 responses from a self-administered survey distributed to four county-based metropolitan regions in the state of Florida, this study provides a multiple linear regression analysis. Using UCINET social network analysis software, additional analysis of the network structure and relationships in the four counties is provided for further insight. The findings suggest positive and statistically significant relationships between network relationships and information-communication technology utilization and that there is no statistically signifi- cant impact of network complexity as well as control variables such as sector type, number of full-time employees, and yearly budget.The network analysis suggests different patterns between friendship and advice networks during the preparedness and response phases of an emergency. This study contributes to the literature on networked governance applied to the field of emer- gency management. Keywords emergency management, networks, network design, network development, network sustainability, information-communication technology, complexity Introduction Emergency management is one of the fields under the realm of public policy and management that has extensively utilized networks to deal with public issues over the past decades. The complex nature and substantive impacts of emergency management issues proved to be an inability for single organizations to tackle on their own, leading them to accept a collaborative at University of Central Florida Libraries on October 14, 2015 arp.sagepub.com Downloaded from