Social media in disaster management: How social media impact the work of volunteer groups and aid organisations in disaster preparation and response
by Oliver Mauroner; Anna Heudorfer
International Journal of Emergency Management (IJEM), Vol. 12, No. 2, 2016

Abstract: This study examines forms of social media use in disaster management, focusing on volunteer groups and aid organisations. This research interest emerged from observing several grassroots initiatives using social media to implement aid activities. Approaches to transforming organisations through network structures and to developing community building are applied to the field of disaster management. The aim is to investigate if collective actions via social media can lead to the development of virtual (aid) communities, and how these operate. Two disasters are examined as example cases: the flooding in Germany and the Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines, both in 2013. Thirteen guided expert interviews are carried out and evaluated. The results show that social media use in disaster management reflects the general trend towards a strengthened participation of the population in public communication. Social media can, however, only be part of a more comprehensive strategy necessary for disaster response and early warning.

Online publication date: Tue, 17-May-2016

The full text of this article is only available to individual subscribers or to users at subscribing institutions.

 
Existing subscribers:
Go to Inderscience Online Journals to access the Full Text of this article.

Pay per view:
If you are not a subscriber and you just want to read the full contents of this article, buy online access here.

Complimentary Subscribers, Editors or Members of the Editorial Board of the International Journal of Emergency Management (IJEM):
Login with your Inderscience username and password:

Username:        Password:          Forgotten your password?

Want to subscribe?
A subscription gives you complete access to all articles in the current issue, as well as to all articles in the previous three years (where applicable). See our Orders page to subscribe.

If you still need assistance, please email subs@inderscience.com