Pandemic vulnerability knowledge visualisation for strategic decision-making: a COVID-19 index for government response in Australia
ISSN: 0025-1747
Article publication date: 1 June 2021
Issue publication date: 21 March 2022
Abstract
Purpose
First, the key vulnerability factors from the literature are identified. Second, using the vulnerability factors as indicators, a composite index is developed. Last, from the index values, a set of vulnerability knowledge maps, showing the vulnerability hotspots, are prepared.
Design/methodology/approach
This study aims to develop a pandemic vulnerability knowledge visualisation index to support the strategic decision-making efforts of authorities.
Findings
Ten indicators are identified as vulnerability factors that could significantly impact the virus spread risks. Verifying the identified hotspots against the recorded infected cases and deaths has evidenced the usefulness of the index. Determining and visualising the high-vulnerability locations and communities could help in informed strategic decision-making and responses of the authorities to the pandemic.
Originality/value
The study demonstrates that the developed pandemic vulnerability knowledge visualisation index is particularly appropriate in the context of Australia. Nonetheless, by replicating the methodologic steps of the study, customised versions can be developed for other country contexts.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial or not-for-profit sectors. The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships (or any other conflict of interest) that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper. Ethical approval was obtained from QUT's Human Research Ethics Committee (#1900000214). The authors also acknowledge the assistance provided by QUT Digital Observatory's data scientist Sam Hames in obtaining the social media data used in the study.
Citation
Yigitcanlar, T., Kankanamge, N., Inkinen, T., Butler, L., Preston, A., Rezayee, M., Gill, P., Ostadnia, M., Ioppolo, G. and Senevirathne, M. (2022), "Pandemic vulnerability knowledge visualisation for strategic decision-making: a COVID-19 index for government response in Australia", Management Decision, Vol. 60 No. 4, pp. 893-915. https://doi.org/10.1108/MD-11-2020-1527
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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