As the review of the literature presented here clearly demonstrates, there is considerable
variation in how different authors have defined resilience. For example, definitions vary
depending on the object of analysis (e.g., asset, facility, system, community/region, system of
systems). Even when attention is focused on a specific object of analysis (e.g., community),
definitions vary in substantive ways. The definition of resilience, however, should be
independent of the object of analysis and, in the interest of facilitating the formulation of
compatible policy goals in both the public and private sectors by a range of actors — private
decision makers (e.g., business owners and managers) and local, State, and national government
decision makers — the same definition should be used in all decision-making processes.
Establishing a uniform definition is critically important. Our definition of resilience will affect
how we distinguish between resilience and other measures — specifically, protection and
vulnerability— of our ability to withstand the adverse effects of natural and man-made threats.