Timely assessment of disaster and emergency response networks in the aftermath of superstorm Sandy, 2012
ISSN: 1468-4527
Article publication date: 30 August 2018
Issue publication date: 16 October 2018
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to elaborate pros and cons of two coding methods: the rapid network assessment (RNA) and the manual content analysis (MCA). In particular, it focuses on the applicability of a new rapid data extraction and utilization method, which can contribute to the timely coordination of disaster and emergency response operations.
Design/methodology/approach
Utilizing the data set of textual information on the Superstorm Sandy response in 2012, retrieved from the LexisNexis Academic news archive, the two coding methods, MCA and RNA, are subjected to social network analysis.
Findings
The analysis results indicate a significant level of similarity between the data collected using these two methods. The findings indicate that the RNA method could be effectively used to extract megabytes of electronic data, characterize the emerging disaster response network and suggest timely policy implications for managers and practitioners during actual emergency response operations and coordination processes.
Originality/value
Considering the growing needs for the timely assessment of real-time disaster response systems and the emerging doubts regarding the effectiveness of the RNA method, this study contributes to uncovering the potential of the RNA method to extract relevant data from the megabytes of digitally available information. Also this research illustrates the applicability of MCA for assessing real-time disaster response networks by comparing network analysis results from data sets built by both the RNA and the MCA.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The research was funded by the National Association of Workforce Boards in 2013. Authors, also, acknowledge the researchers in the Center for Disaster Management at the University of Pittsburgh: Brian Chalfant, Jee Eun Song and Mengyao Chen for MCA data coding; and Mark Voortman, PhD for his technical support for RNA data coding.
Citation
Yeo, J., Comfort, L. and Jung, K. (2018), "Timely assessment of disaster and emergency response networks in the aftermath of superstorm Sandy, 2012", Online Information Review, Vol. 42 No. 7, pp. 1010-1023. https://doi.org/10.1108/OIR-09-2016-0280
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2018, Emerald Publishing Limited