Contribution of Social Media Analytics to Disaster Response Effectiveness: A Systematic Review of the Literature

Abstract

Disasters are sudden and catastrophic events with fatal consequences. Time-sensitive information collection from disaster zones is crucial for improved and data-driven disaster response. However, information collection from disaster zones in a prompt way is not easy or even possible. Human-centric information provided by citizen sensors through social media platforms create an opportunity for prompt information collection from disaster zones. There is, nevertheless, limited scholarly work that provides a comprehensive review on the potential of social media analytics for disaster response. This study utilizes a systematic literature review with PRISMA protocol to investigate the potential of social media analytics for enhanced disaster response. The findings of the systematic review of the literature pieces (n = 102) disclosed that (a) social media analytics in the disaster management research domain is an emerging field of research and practice; (b) the central focus on the research domain is on the utilization of social media data for disaster response to natural hazards, but the social media data-driven disaster response to human-made disasters is an increasing research focus; (c) human-centric information intelligence provided by social media analytics in disaster response mainly concentrates on collective intelligence, location awareness, and situation awareness, and (d) there is limited scholarly research investigating near-real-time transport network management aftermath disasters. The findings inform authorities’ decision-making processes as near-real time disaster response management depending on social media analytics is a critical element of securing sustainable cities and communities.