Modeling Civic Networks for Innovative Design of a Disaster Response System: A Proposed Framework

Abstract

Despite comprehensive disaster management mechanisms, civic networks for vulnerable community for disaster remain little understood. Recent episodes of flood and landslide disasters have increased the need to deepen our understanding on the role of civic networks for disaster response system. This study proposes an empirical response to recent calls for civic networks in mediating disaster response systems qualities, so as to deepen nuanced understanding on its social capital perspective. Specifically, norms, networks and social trust are hypothesized to mediate three disaster response information system dimensions: knowledge quality, service quality, and situational quality as predictors of individual’s ability to use the system effectively for disaster response. In this context, pertinent civic networks literatures for disaster were examined to suggest individual’s impact of disaster response system as mediated by civic networks precursors: norms, networks and social trust.