Microcomputers are being implemented in state and local emergency manage ment agencies. This paper summarizes field data gathered in five states (Flor ida, Louisiana, Pennsylvania, South Carolina and Virginia), and sixteen local jurisdictions within them, regarding the patterns of implementation for disas ter preparedness. Major implementation barriers, changes in use patterns, and organizational impacts are discussed. Primary uses during several actual dis aster responses are described as well as important uses and adaptations made after the disaster response.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
Aldrich, H., 1972. Technology and organizational structure: a reexamination of the findings of the Aston Group. Administrative Science Quarterly,17: 26-43.
2.
Belardo, S., Howell, A., Ryan, R. and Wallace, W.A., 1983. A microcomputer-based emergency response system. Disasters, 7: 215-220.
3.
Belardo, S., Karwan, K.R. and Wallace, W.A., 1984. Managing the response to disaster using microcomputers . Interfaces, 14: 29-39.
4.
Bradford, J.K. and Brady, M., 1984. Computer applications for emergency management. Hazard Monthly, 5 (Sept.): 1.
5.
Brady, M.H., 1984. Computer applications in emergency management. Unpublished report. California Polytechnic State University, Political Science Department.
6.
Campbell, D.T., 1975. "Degrees of freedom" and the case study. Comparative Political Studies, 8: 178-193.
7.
Caplow, T., Bahr, H.M. and Chadwick, B.A., 1984. Readiness of local communities for integrated emergency management planning. Unpublished final report. United Research Services Incorporated.
8.
Chartrand, R.L., 1985. The many potentials of information technology for emergency management. The Information Society, 3: 275-290.
9.
Chartrand, R.L. and Chartrand, K.C. (Editors), 1989. Strategies and Systems for Disaster Survival. Research Alternatives, Inc., Rockville, MD.
10.
Congressional Research Service, Library of Congress, 1984. Information Technology For Emergency Management. U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC.
11.
Dobson, J.E., 1983. Automated geography. The Professional Geographer, 35: 135-143.
12.
Dobson, J.E., 1985. Automated geography and emergency management. The Information Society, 3: 347-360.
13.
Drabek, T.E., 1985. Managing the emergency response. Public Administration Review, 45: 85-92.
14.
Drabek, T.E., 1986. Human System Responses to Disaster: an Inventory of Sociological Findings. Springer, New York.
15.
Drabek, T.E., 1987. The professional emergency manager: structures and strategies for success. The University of Colorado, Institute of Behavioral Science, Boulder, CO.
16.
Drabek, T.E., 1990a. Emergency Management: Strategies for Maintaining Organizational Integrity. Springer, New York.
17.
Drabek, T.E., 1990b. Study assesses implementation of microcomputer technology by state and local EM agencies. Hazard Monthly, 10 (Feb.): 7-9.
18.
Drabek, T.E., 1991. Implementation of microcomputer technology in emergency management agencies. University of Colorado, Institute of Behavioral Science, Boulder, CO.
19.
Dynes, R.R., 1983. Problems in emergency planning. Energy , 8: 653-660.
20.
Dynes, R.R., 1989. Emergency planning: false assumptions and inappropriate analogies. Unpublished paper presented at the "Workshop on Safety Control and Risk Management," sponsored by the Swedish Rescue Services and World Bank, Karlstad, Sweden.
21.
Gerwin, D., 1981. Relationship between structure and technology. In: P.C. Nystrom and W.H. Starbuck (Editors), Handbook of Organizational Design, Vol. 2: Remodeling Organizations and Their Environments. Oxford University Press, New York: 3-38.
22.
Gillespie, D.F. and Mileti, D.S., 1977. Technology and the study of organizations: an overview and appraisal. Academy of Management Review, 2 (Jan.): 6-19.
23.
Glaser, E.M., Abelson, H.H. and Garrison, K.N., 1983. Putting Knowledge to Use: Facilitating the Diffusion of Knowledge and the Implementation of Planned Change. Jossey-Bass , San Francisco, CA.
24.
Gross, N.C., Giacquinta, J.B. and Bernstein, M., 1971. Implementing Organizational Innovations: a Sociological Analysis of Planned Educational Change. Basic Books, New York.
25.
Hage, J. and Aiken, M., 1969. Routine technology, social structure, and organizational goals. Administrative Science Quarterly,14: 366-376.
26.
Kraemer, K.L., King, J.L., Dunkle, D.E. and Lane, J.P., 1986. Trends in municipal information systems 1975-1985. Baseline Data Reports, 18 (March/April). International City Management Association, Washington, DC.
27.
Kreps, G.A., 1985. Disaster and the social order. Sociological Theory, 3: 49-64.
28.
Kreps, G.A. (Editor), 1989. Social Structure and Disaster. University of Delaware Press , Newark, DE.
29.
May, P.J., 1985a. FEMA's role in emergency management: examining recent experience. Public Administration Review, 45: 40-48.
30.
May, P.J., 1985b. Recovering From Catastrophes: Federal Disaster Relief Policy and Politics. Greenwood Press, Westport, CT.
31.
Norris, D.F., 1989. Microcomputers and Local Government. International City Management Association, Washington, DC.
32.
Norris, D.F. and Webb, V.J., 1983. Microcomputers. Baseline Data Reports, 15 (July). International City Management Association, Washington, DC.
33.
Perrow, C., 1984. Normal Accidents: Living With High-Risk Technologies. Basic Books, New York.
34.
Rogers, E.M., 1962. Diffusion of Innovations. The Free Press, New York.
35.
Scoggins, J., Tidrick, T.H. and Auerback, J., 1985. Computer use in local governments. Baseline Data Reports , 17 (Sept.). International City Management Association, Washington, DC.
36.
Weick, K., 1981. Evolutionary theory as a backdrop for administrative practice . In: H.D. Stein (Editor), Organization and the Human Services. Temple University Press, Philadelphia, PA: 106-141.
37.
Wenger, D.E., Quarantelli, E.L. and Dynes, R.R., 1987. Disaster analysis: emergency management offices and arrangements . Unpublished final report. University of Delaware, Disaster Research Center.
38.
Yin, R.K., 1984. Case Study Research: Design and Methods. Sage Publications, Beverly Hills, CA.
39.
Yin, R.K. and White, J.L., 1984. Microcomputer Implementation in Schools. Cosmos Corporation, Washington, DC.
