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Collaborative systems development in disaster relief: The impact of multi-level governance

Author

Listed:
  • Edgar A. Maldonado

    (Pennsylvania State University)

  • Carleen F. Maitland

    (Pennsylvania State University)

  • Andrea H. Tapia

    (Pennsylvania State University)

Abstract

Disaster management information systems for international humanitarian relief are developed in contexts involving local, national and inter-governmental organizations together with local and international non-governmental organizations (NGOs). While the multi-organizational nature of disaster response is known to create challenges for information systems development, to date, less attention has been paid to their multi-level nature. This research sheds light on the implications of multi-level governance for disaster information systems development by integrating political science and information systems theories of multi-level governance. The integrated theoretical framework is then used to analyze a case study of a system development effort undertaken by a multi-organizational coordination body consisting of the headquarters of six large, international humanitarian relief agencies, together with their country offices in a Central American country. This research finds that multi-level governance can both negatively and positively influence information systems development. In a multi-level governance arrangement, authority for a systems development project may be diffuse and may change. The transfer of resources from higher to lower levels is key factor, as these resources help local organizations overcome resource constraints to collaboration. The initial outcome of coercion by higher levels of authority may be resistance, however over time the outcome can change to compliance.

Suggested Citation

  • Edgar A. Maldonado & Carleen F. Maitland & Andrea H. Tapia, 2010. "Collaborative systems development in disaster relief: The impact of multi-level governance," Information Systems Frontiers, Springer, vol. 12(1), pages 9-27, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:infosf:v:12:y:2010:i:1:d:10.1007_s10796-009-9166-z
    DOI: 10.1007/s10796-009-9166-z
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Deborah Bunker & Linda Levine & Carol Woody, 2015. "Repertoires of collaboration for common operating pictures of disasters and extreme events," Information Systems Frontiers, Springer, vol. 17(1), pages 51-65, February.
    2. Xiao-Wen Qi & Jun-Ling Zhang & Shu-Ping Zhao & Chang-Yong Liang, 2017. "Tackling Complex Emergency Response Solutions Evaluation Problems in Sustainable Development by Fuzzy Group Decision Making Approaches with Considering Decision Hesitancy and Prioritization among Asse," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(10), pages 1-35, October.
    3. Yanxin Wang & Jian Li & Xi Zhao & Gengzhong Feng & Xin (Robert) Luo, 2020. "Using Mobile Phone Data for Emergency Management: a Systematic Literature Review," Information Systems Frontiers, Springer, vol. 22(6), pages 1539-1559, December.
    4. Chulhwan Chris Bang, 2015. "Information systems frontiers: Keyword analysis and classification," Information Systems Frontiers, Springer, vol. 17(1), pages 217-237, February.
    5. Florentina Neamtu & Bogdan Nichifor, 2013. "The Determinants Of E-Government Relational Models Construction: Interaction, Communication, Participation And Collaboration," Studies and Scientific Researches. Economics Edition, "Vasile Alecsandri" University of Bacau, Faculty of Economic Sciences, issue 18.
    6. Sachin Modgil & Rohit Kumar Singh & Cyril Foropon, 2022. "Quality management in humanitarian operations and disaster relief management: a review and future research directions," Annals of Operations Research, Springer, vol. 319(1), pages 1045-1098, December.
    7. Chilombo, Andrew, 2021. "Multilevel governance of large-scale land acquisitions: a case study of the institutional politics of scale of the farm block program in Zambia," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 107(C).
    8. Barry A. Cumbie & Chetan S. Sankar, 2012. "Choice of governance mechanisms to promote information sharing via boundary objects in the disaster recovery process," Information Systems Frontiers, Springer, vol. 14(5), pages 1079-1094, December.

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