Fostering Knowledge Transfer for Space Technology Utilization in Disaster Management

Abstract

Disaster Management is an issue of global importance which requires timely and accurate information as well as clear and suitable communication technology to guarantee coordinated efforts to save lives and property. Thus, technology for gathering, retaining, managing and transferring information and the ability of linking experts plays an eminent role. This study is an observation of the setting of the web-based UN-SPIDER (United Nations Platform for Space-based Information for Disaster Management and Emergency Response) Knowledge Portal based on the Actor-Network Theory. The theory treats the Knowledge Portal as an assemblage of heterogeneous entities. The observation is focused on the configuration and the processes which form this actor-network with the aim to bring together the space technology and the disaster management community to support and nurture virtual Communities of Practice and enable knowledge transfer.