Intentionally building relationships between participatory online groups and formal organisations for effective emergency response

Advances in information and communication technologies enable the public to contribute to emergency response. For instance, reporting systems set up during recent disasters allowed affected people to submit testimonies about conditions on the ground. In addition, the public has analysed data and hel...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Disasters 2019-07, Vol.43 (3), p.634-657
Main Authors: Park, Chul Hyun, Johnston, Erik W.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Case depth
Case studies
Communication technology
Communications technology
Dependence
disaster informatics
Disasters
Emergencies
Emergency communications systems
Emergency preparedness
Emergency response
Information technology
Internet
Organizational aspects
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Summary:Advances in information and communication technologies enable the public to contribute to emergency response. For instance, reporting systems set up during recent disasters allowed affected people to submit testimonies about conditions on the ground. In addition, the public has analysed data and helped to mobilise and deliver relief resources. To plan intentionally for an integrative emergency response system in the networked age, this research explores two subject areas: (i) the organisational and technical determinants of relationships forged between formal organisations and participatory online groups established by the public; and (ii) the consequences of the outcomes generated by these relationships. Four in‐depth case studies were selected for the analysis, which revealed that resource dependence, shared understanding, and the use of certain types of information technology influence the formation of such relationships. Furthermore, healthy collaborative relationships increase the chances of desirable results, including inter‐organisational alignment and minimal long‐term harm owing to a disaster.
ISSN:0361-3666
1467-7717
DOI:10.1111/disa.12354