Assessing the Impact of a Geospatial Information System for Improving Campus Emergency Decision-Making of Novice Crisis Managers

A significant increase in campus-based emergencies warrants the investigation into emergency management information systems that serve a novice crisis decision-maker. Institutions of higher education that are not large enough to have dedicated emergency management offices generally press novice decision-makers into emergency management roles. An investigation was conducted to assess the impact of an emergency management geospatial information system on the decision performance of novice crisis managers through the use of a scenario-based simulation. A mixed method sequential explanatory method was used to collect quasi-experimental data on decision time, decision accuracy and situational awareness. Qualitative analysis was conducted through interviews with participants. Statistical results indicate the decision accuracy is positively affected by the use of an emergency management geospatial information system. Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) is non-parametric linear programming method used to identify decision-making units in a data set that are optimal in their use of single or a set of resources (inputs) in delivering a set of expected results (outputs). DEA indicated that efficiency ratios from the geospatial information system group outperform the traditional group. Geospatial information systems hold much promise in providing systems that are easy to use, promote heightened levels of situational awareness and decision support

Mapping and the Citizen Sensor

Maps are a fundamental resource in a diverse array of applications ranging from everyday activities, such as route planning through the legal demarcation of space to scientific studies, such as those seeking to understand biodiversity and inform the design of nature reserves for species conservation. For a map to have value, it should provide an accurate and timely representation of the phenomenon depicted and this can be a challenge in a dynamic world. Fortunately, mapping activities have benefitted greatly from recent advances in geoinformation technologies. Satellite remote sensing, for example, now offers unparalleled data acquisition and authoritative mapping agencies have developed systems for the routine production of maps in accordance with strict standards. Until recently, much mapping activity was in the exclusive realm of authoritative agencies but technological development has also allowed the rise of the amateur mapping community. The proliferation of inexpensive and highly mobile and location aware devices together with Web 2.0 technology have fostered the emergence of the citizen as a source of data. Mapping presently benefits from vast amounts of spatial data as well as people able to provide observations of geographic phenomena, which can inform map production, revision and evaluation. The great potential of these developments is, however, often limited by concerns. The latter span issues from the nature of the citizens through the way data are collected and shared to the quality and trustworthiness of the data. This book reports on some of the key issues connected with the use of citizen sensors in mapping. It arises from a European Co-operation in Science and Technology (COST) Action, which explored issues linked to topics ranging from citizen motivation, data acquisition, data quality and the use of citizen derived data in the production of maps that rival, and sometimes surpass, maps arising from authoritative agencies

Interactive maps: What we know and what we need to know

This article provides a review of the current state of science regarding cartographic interaction a complement to the traditional focus within cartography on cartographic representation. Cartographic interaction is defined as the dialog between a human and map mediated through a computing device and is essential to the research into interactive cartography geovisualization and geovisual analytics. The review is structured around six fundamental questions facing a science of cartographic interaction: (1) what is cartographic interaction (e.g. digital versus analog interactions interaction versus interfaces stages of interaction interactive maps versus mapping systems versus map mash-ups); (2) why provide cartographic interaction (e.g. visual thinking geographic insight the stages of science the cartographic problematic); (3) when should cartographic interaction be provided (e.g. static versus interactive maps interface complexity the productivity paradox flexibility versus constraint work versus enabling interactions); (4) who should be provided with cartographic interaction (e.g. user-centered design user ability expertise and motivation adaptive cartography and geocollaboration); (5) where should cartographic interaction be provided (e.g. input capabilities bandwidth and processing power display capabilities mobile mapping and location-based services); and (6) how should cartographic interaction be provided (e.g. interaction primitives objective-based versus operator-based versus operand-based taxonomies interface styles interface design)? The article concludes with a summary of research questions facing cartographic interaction and offers an outlook for cartography as a field of study moving forward

Geographic Information Systems in Information Systems Research - Review and Research Prospects

Since historical times, cartographic maps have revealed spatial relations and enabled decisions and processes. Geographic Information Systems (GIS) allow for acquisition, management, analysis, and presentation of geospatial objects. With free geospatial data becoming available through open data policies and an increasing amount of digitally connected objects in the Internet of Things (IoT), GIS are becoming indispensable to Information Systems (IS) research. However, the consideration and relevance of GIS has only been investigated rarely. We examine, how and in which fields of application GIS have been studied in the IS literature and elicit the importance of GIS regarding their design and usage. A systematic literature review leads us to develop four research propositions. Our results indicate that GIS are still an undeservedly underrepresented discipline in IS and should be more theorized, put center-stage in design-oriented research, and considered for creating superior value co-creation in service systems

Which technology to which challenge in democratic governance? An approach using design science research

Anastasiadou, M., Santos, V., & Montargil, F. (2021). Which technology to which challenge in democratic governance? An approach using design science research. Transforming Government: People, Process and Policy, 15(4), 512-531. https://doi.org/10.1108/TG-03-2020-0045Purpose: Information systems (IS) play an important role in contemporary society, but critical questions remain on their potential use and impact on democracy. This study aims to contribute to the discussion on which technology can be adequate to which major challenge of democratic governance, through the identification and pairing of challenges of democratic governance with specific information technologies with the potential to be used in applications related to this challenge. This perspective can be considered positioned in the confluence between IS, political science and public administration. Design/methodology/approach: Design science research, a research approach in IS, was used. The suggestion of a conceptual framework with pairs of challenges in democratic governance and information technologies was initially developed. In a subsequent phase, this framework was discussed and assessed through interviews with a panel of selected experts in e-government and IS, reaching a revised conceptual framework. Findings: Results suggest that the conceptual pairing of challenges in democratic governance with IS’s solutions such as artificial intelligence, systems integration or blockchain technologies, for instance, if used in a critical, transparent and accountable way, can play a role in capacitating the delivery of better public services and contribute to encouraging citizen trust and political participation. These results may contribute to open a methodological agenda dedicated to the selection of adequate IS resources to address specific challenges of democratic governance, as well as to help in the development of public policies in the area. Originality/value: Previous studies on digital government offer important insights on the impact of information and communication technologies-enabled public governance tools for government openness, public service efficiency and user-friendliness, and for citizen political participation and societal mobilization. But the literature still lacks a systematic conceptual framework mapping and assessing the role of distinctive IS instruments in democratic challenge-solving and specifying functional relationships between specific technology and democratic outcomes. This paper aims to contribute to filling this analytical gap.authorsversionpublishe

Utilizing Geographic Information Systems for Condition-Based Maintenance on the Energy Distribution Grid

The energy distribution grid is a critical infrastructure challenged with shifting requirements induced by the skyrocketing importance of green energy. Particularly, legacy assets—such as medium-voltage switchgear cabinets and circuit breakers—need to be maintained to prevent energy outages and reduce resource consumption. While related research has abundantly presented algorithms for condition-based maintenance, no design knowledge is available to prescribe how an information system for this purpose ought to be designed. In a design science research project, we develop an information system for condition-based maintenance of legacy assets in the medium voltage distribution grid that utilizes geospatial data. Our design integrates Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) functionality with Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and a Machine Learning System (MLS) for predicting outages. We demonstrate a current proof-of-concept and conclude by presenting a set of theoretical hypotheses that can guide the evaluation once the system is available

From Common Operational Picture to Common Situational Understanding : A Framework for Information Sharing in Multi-Organizational Emergency Management

Complex emergencies such as natural disasters are increasing in frequency and scope, in all regions of the world. These emergencies have devastating impacts on people, property, and the environment. Responding to these events and reducing their impact requires that emergency management organizations (EMOs) collaborate in their operations. Complex emergencies require extraordinary efforts from EMOs and often should be handled beyond ordinary routines and structures. Such operations involving multiple stakeholders are typically characterized by inadequate information sharing, decision-making problems, limited situational awareness (SA), and lack of common situational understanding. Despite a high volume of research on these challenges, evaluations from complex disasters and large-scale exercises document that there are still several unsolved issues related to information sharing and the development of common situational understanding. Examples here include fulfillment of heterogeneous information needs, employment of different communication tools and processes with limited interoperability, and information overload resulting from a lack of mechanisms for filtering irrelevant information. Multi-organizational emergency management is an established area of research focusing on how to successfully collaborate and share information for developing common situational understanding. However, the level of complexity and situational dependencies between the involved EMOs create challenges for researchers. An important element for efficient collaboration and information sharing is building and maintaining a common operational picture (COP). Sharing important information is a key element in emergency management involving several EMOs, and both static and dynamic information must be accessible to perform tasks effectively during emergency response. To be proactive and mitigate the emergency impacts requires up-to-date information, both factual information via the COP and the ability to share interpretations and implications through using a communication system for rapid verbal negotiation. The overall research objective is to investigate how stakeholders perceive and develop SA and COP, and to explore and understand key requirements for stakeholders to develop a common situational understanding in complex multi-organizational emergency management.publishedVersio

Data Quality Information and Decision Making: A Healthcare Case Study

Defining data quality and realising the need for information that is free of defects and that possesses the right qualities for the task at hand remains a difficult issue. This is particularly so in the healthcare sector where the need for effective decision making is high. This case study addresses the development of a data quality evaluation framework for the NZ health sector. It discusses a data quality strategy that underpins the application of the framework and defines a vision for data quality management in the health sector. It discusses how the framework and strategy combine to increase intelligence density. A significant outcome from the case identified the difficulty of getting data users and managers at all levels to understand the imperative of data quality and accept responsibility for its improvement and maintenance. Recommendations for further research are made

From Existing Practices to Best Practices: Improving the Quality and Consistency of Participant Assessment Methods in Cartographic User Studies

User studies are a cornerstone of cartographic research, delivering valuable insights into the design and use of maps, as well as the attitudes and behaviors of map users. The ever-expanding body of cartographic user studies maintains cartography as a forward-facing discipline: emerging technologies and methods are actively pursued and adopted, rather than dismissed. Alongside this growing, diversifying body of research and methods are two persistent, logistical challenges: the cartographic community’s lack of an active database of past and present user studies, and the lack of formal guidelines for the selection of appropriate research methods. Over three articles, this dissertation explores how these challenges affect the critical assessment of user differences, and offers a practical solution to improve the overall quality of future cartographic user studies. The first article reviews participant assessment practices from ten years of refereed user studies: how participants were recruited, which information about the participants was assessed by the study authors, how that information was assessed, and the quality and consistency of the reported study details. The review reveals considerable inconsistency among these practices, either as a result of authors not doing an adequate job in designing their studies or, more likely, reporting on their studies. The second article examines recent developments in open-access data sharing, and uses those principles to guide the development of an online, collaborative, cartographic user study database that I hope cartographers will contribute to, and use, as a tool to guide their own user study designs. The third article examines the concept of best practices, which refers to methods or procedures that have been shown to produce superior results, and introduces a model to allow for their systematic identification. When combined, the database and the best practices identification model should assist cartographers in selecting the most appropriate methods to design a user study. The establishment of a cartographic user study database (CartoBase) and a systematic method for identifying and implementing best practices have the potential to improve the overall quality of cartographic research