The adoption of geo-information and geographic information systems for natural disaster risk management by local authorities

Abstract

The timely availability of relevant information is vital for the operations of local authorities. In the case of dealing with natural disasters like earthquakes and floods, geo-information and geographic information systems (GIS) can be used to improve and organize response and consequently minimize their impact. The paper explores the adoption and use of geo-information and GIS applications within an organisational context bound by legal mandates and official procedures. The paper relies on a sociotechnical approach in exploring and understanding this process. This interaction is captured in the organizational routine concept that is a template for understanding mandates and reflects the agreement on the role of the geo-information in organizational activities. Empirically, the paper is based on two local authorities adopting a GIS for natural disaster risk management: Naga City in the Philippines having a flood hazard concern, and Lalitpur Sub Metropolitan City in Nepal having an earthquake concern. The case studies show that the socio-technical interaction of GIS technology for natural disaster management with other organizational needs leads to a continuous re-design cannot be possibly based on pregiven and final users' needs. © 2005 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.