Arjen Schmidt, Jeroen Wolbers, Kees Boersma, Julie Ferguson, & Peter Groenwegen. (2016). Are you Ready2Help? Dilemmas in organizing citizen response to disaster. In A. Tapia, P. Antunes, V.A. Bañuls, K. Moore, & J. Porto (Eds.), ISCRAM 2016 Conference Proceedings ? 13th International Conference on Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management. Rio de Janeiro, Brasil: Federal University of Rio de Janeiro.
Abstract: Over the last decade, the disaster response landscape is increasingly complemented by voluntary citizen initiatives on digital platforms. These developments have opened up opportunities for response agencies and NGOs to organize local community involvement. In this paper we focus on the question how citizen involvement can be proactively organized toward disaster relief and what kind of dilemmas may arise in this process. We studied Ready2Help, an online platform developed by the Dutch Red Cross. Bringing together 36.000 volunteers, the platform plays a significant role in addressing the current refugee crisis. In our analysis we demonstrate the platform?s potential, but also note a tension between control and cooperation. Our results indicate that, in contrast to their initial objective, during the crisis the Red Cross falls back on principles of control to organize citizen response efforts. We end by discussing our future research agenda aimed at bridging formal and emergent citizen responses.
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David Passenier, Jeroen Wolbers, Julia Mollee, Kees Boersma, & Peter Groenewegen. (2012). Formalization of crisis response coordination from a public inquiry report. In Z.Franco J. R. L. Rothkrantz (Ed.), ISCRAM 2012 Conference Proceedings – 9th International Conference on Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management. Vancouver, BC: Simon Fraser University.
Abstract: We assess the usability of public inquiry report data to build a formal trace that can be used in later stages to create an agent model simulating crisis response coordination. The case taken is a train tunnel fire near the underground train station at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol that turned out to be harmless, but the incident illustrated key weaknesses in inter-organizational coordination causing a slower response than required in case of a more serious fire. We present a taxonomy of data problems resulting from our attempt to reconstruct a logical series of events. This highlights gaps or ambiguities in data pertaining to coordination practices, communication networks, situational properties and information and communication systems. Our formal trace cannot support all the report's claims that explain the failures in coordination. The report data show some critical problems, but can still serve as a basis for an information network model of the crisis. © 2012 ISCRAM.
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Hossein Baharmand, Kees Boersma, Kenny Meesters, Femke Mulder, & Jeroen Wolbers. (2016). A multidisciplinary perspective on supporting community disaster resilience in Nepal. In A. Tapia, P. Antunes, V.A. Bañuls, K. Moore, & J. Porto (Eds.), ISCRAM 2016 Conference Proceedings ? 13th International Conference on Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management. Rio de Janeiro, Brasil: Federal University of Rio de Janeiro.
Abstract: Fostering community resilience in the aftermath of a disaster constitutes a significant challenge and requires an adequate understanding of the community?s specific capabilities and vulnerabilities. We carried out a field study in Nepal as a multi-disciplinary research team that explored how the humanitarian response enabled community resilience after the devastating earthquakes. We explored three elements of resilience: persistence, adaptability and transformability by zooming in and out between the local community and humanitarian organizations operating at the national level. Our combined insights from three disciplines, social sciences, information management and logistics, show that humanitarian organizations operating in Nepal still primarily aimed to (re)build community resilience ?from above? instead of enabling communities to strengthen their own resilience in a bottom up way. In this paper we contend that fostering an inclusive and networked response has the potential to strengthen the adaptive capacity of humanitarian organizations and community groups and boost local resilience.
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Kees Boersma, Jeroen Wolbers, & Pieter Wagenaar. (2010). Organizing emergent safety organizations: The travelling of the concept 'netcentric work' in the Dutch safety sector. In C. Zobel B. T. S. French (Ed.), ISCRAM 2010 – 7th International Conference on Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management: Defining Crisis Management 3.0, Proceedings. Seattle, WA: Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management, ISCRAM.
Abstract: This paper is about the introduction of netcentric work in the public safety sector in the Netherlands. The idea behind netcentric work is that a common operational picture will help the professionals to overcome problems with sharing information during crisis. In this WIP paper we will pay attention to netcentric work principles and the dilemma of standardization of technologies versus local adaptation. In the Netherlands the government has chosen to introduce netcentric work via a Platform in which various options are discussed among members of Dutch safety regions. The outcome is a process of negotiation in what we call trading zones. In these trading zones netcentric work is (re)defined. Using theoretical concepts like soft-bureaucracy we show in this paper how netcentric work eventually is not about technology in the first place but a negotiated new way of working and organizing. Further research is needed to understand the full implications of netcentric work for the administration and organization of safety.
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Kees Boersma, Julie Ferguson, Peter Groenewegen, & Jeroen Wolbers. (2014). Beyond the myth of control: Toward network switching in disaster management. In and P.C. Shih. L. Plotnick M. S. P. S.R. Hiltz (Ed.), ISCRAM 2014 Conference Proceedings – 11th International Conference on Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management (pp. 125–129). University Park, PA: The Pennsylvania State University.
Abstract: A novel, 'net-centric' approach to disaster management is challenging traditional forms of command and control, through technology-supported, self-directed networks of heterogeneous stakeholders including affected citizens. Citizen involvement in crisis response can strengthen the resilience of local communities, and improve the relevance and delivery of response, evidenced by increasingly important Web2.0-based platforms. While netcentric responses show promise as a principle, it remains unclear how networks can be integrated in shared response infrastructures. We draw on the concepts of 'programming' and 'switching' to suggest a different perspective by which to explore the potential and consequences of interconnected networks. Finally, we propose a research agenda that can help identify and understand switching points in disaster response, comparing a weakly formalized management structure, but strong in citizen involvement, with a strongly formalized management structure, but weak in citizen involvement. We thereby suggest how response organizations can relinquish their reliance on control and command approaches, increasing their adaptive capacity to capitalize on citizen-based information.
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Manne Messemaker, Jeroen Wolbers, Willem Treurniet, & Kees Boersma. (2013). Shaping societal impact: Between control and cooperation. In J. Geldermann and T. Müller S. Fortier F. F. T. Comes (Ed.), ISCRAM 2013 Conference Proceedings – 10th International Conference on Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management (pp. 901–905). KIT; Baden-Baden: Karlsruher Institut fur Technologie.
Abstract: In our modem society, the impact of large-scale spfety and security incidents can be large and diverse. Yet. this societal impact is makeable and controllable to a limited extent. At best, the effect of concrete response actions is that the direct damage is somewhat reduced and that the recovery is accelerated. Proper crisis communication can make the biggest difference with respect to overall societal impact. We argue that crisis communication must strike a balance between a directive approach of chaos, command and control and a more empathic approach of continuity, coordination and cooperation. On the basis of a concrete case we analyze how crisis communication reflects the incident response approach and how societal impact is affected.
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Nadia Saad Noori, Jeroen Wolbers, Kees Boersma, & Xavier Vilasís Cardona. (2016). A Dynamic Perspective of Emerging Coordination Clusters in Crisis Response Networks. In A. Tapia, P. Antunes, V.A. Bañuls, K. Moore, & J. Porto (Eds.), ISCRAM 2016 Conference Proceedings ? 13th International Conference on Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management. Rio de Janeiro, Brasil: Federal University of Rio de Janeiro.
Abstract: Disasters and crisis create complex conditions that require intra-organizational and inter-organizational coordination throughout the duration of response operations. Emergency response plans and Incident Command Systems that are implemented at times of crisis are well defined on the intra-organizational level, following organization?s own hierarchy and resources. However, in reality, units of different organizations behave differently as they form sub-networks to carry out tasks involved in response operations, despite differences in operating protocols and training background. In this paper we introduce a novel approach to study crisis response networks: the emergence of coordination clusters. The results indicate resilience in the behavior of response units from different organizations as they re-organize into coordination clusters and collectively respond to the unfolding emergency events. Understanding characteristics of coordination clusters helps to identify critical tasks and units beside resources required during emergency response operations. Our results contribute to the continuous change in the concepts of crisis response management and the shift towards a network and function based response protocols.
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Willem Treurniet, Kim Van Buul-Besseling, & Jeroen Wolbers. (2012). Collaboration awareness – A necessity in crisis response coordination. In Z.Franco J. R. L. Rothkrantz (Ed.), ISCRAM 2012 Conference Proceedings – 9th International Conference on Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management. Vancouver, BC: Simon Fraser University.
Abstract: In crisis management involvement of a large number of organizations is required. Not only the first responders need to take action, but also organizations and entities like civil authorities, public utility and crisis teams are responsible for critical infrastructures as well as the community. A key element for effective collaboration is situation awareness; having a common operational picture. So far research has mainly focused on situation awareness. However, several incidents show that situation awareness alone is not sufficient for reaching effective collaboration among the organizations involved. Collaboration awareness is a second key element. Knowing the needs, goals, expectations, culture, capabilities and procedures of the crisis management partners makes collaboration more effective. In this paper we elaborate our research focusing on what organizations need to know about each other in order to collaborate effectively. Finally, we describe the possible measures for increasing the collaboration awareness. © 2012 ISCRAM.
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