de Vries, H.Nilakant, V.Walker, B.Baird, R.2016-07-062016-07-062015de Vries, H., Nilakant, V., Walker, B., Baird, R. (2015) Post-disaster recovery: A study of a special-purpose business alliance structure. Queenstown, New Zealand: 29th Annual Conference of the Australian and New Zealand Academy of Management (ANZAM), 2-4 Dec 2015.http://hdl.handle.net/10092/12452This paper is a study of a special-purpose, disaster-recovery organisation called SCIRT set up in the aftermath of a major disaster in Christchurch, New Zealand. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews from 18 senior executives and 49 staff in focus groups. Using grounded theory methodology, the study identifies four design and management features that helped SCIRT adapt to a volatile, uncertain post-disaster environment. These were: (a) leadership, (b) collaborative culture, (c) learning, and (d) human resource – fit for purpose. These are discussed in detail. The paper contributes to the literatures on disaster recovery, organisational resilience and peak performance.endisaster recoveryallianceorganisational learningmanaging peak performanceConference Contributions - PublishedFields of Research::35 - Commerce, management, tourism and services::3507 - Strategy, management and organisational behaviour::350710 - Organisational behaviourField of Research::15 - Commerce, Management, Tourism and Services::1503 - Business and Management::150305 - Human Resources ManagementFields of Research::35 - Commerce, management, tourism and services::3507 - Strategy, management and organisational behaviour::350709 - Organisation and management theory