Constructivist Networked Grounded Theory: A Methodology for Complex Disaster and Emergency Management Systems

Abstract

This paper introduces Constructivist Networked Grounded Theory (CNGT), an innovative methodology designed to address the analytical limitations of both Constructivist Grounded Theory (CGT) and Social Network Analysis (SNA) when applied independently to complex systems. In contexts such as Disaster and Emergency Management (DEM), where meaning-making processes are tightly interwoven with relational dynamics, existing methodologies often fail to provide a comprehensive understanding. CNGT addresses this methodological gap by integrating grounded coding, an adapted constant comparative method, and relational analysis through networked approaches. Drawing on a case study within Aotearoa New Zealand’s DEM environment, the paper demonstrates how CNGT can be operationalised to explore how coordination and collaboration evolve across a network of stakeholders. The study concludes that CNGT offers a rigorous and adaptable methodology for exploring complex systems where social meaning and structural positioning co-construct outcomes. Its ability to trace interpretive patterns alongside evolving networks positions it as a valuable contribution to qualitative research methodology, with relevance extending beyond DEM into domains such as healthcare, governance, and organisational studies. CNGT is evaluated using established criteria - credibility, originality, resonance, and usefulness - demonstrating its capacity to generate contextually rich, theoretically robust, and actionable insights. The paper argues that CNGT enables a more holistic understanding of how actors make sense of and act within dynamic, networked environments.