D3.2 First DMP (disaster management procesess) -methodology for the LINKS framework and the case assessments

This report aims to provide a DMP methodology that guides and supports the development of the LINKS Framework and the case-based assessments in the LINKS project. This first methodology of the LINKS project is primarily aimed at addressing the knowledge gaps that have been identified in the DMP knowledge base (D3.1). These knowledge gaps are addressed through three overall research questions developed in this methodology:
● How are European disaster management organisations applying social media and crowdsourcing in disaster management processes across the phases of the disaster management cycle (RQ1)?
● What are the limits and potentials of this application associated with institutional resilience (RQ2)?
● Following the two first questions, how can the application of social media and crowdsourcing in disaster management processes be further strengthened (RQ3)?
The first question aims at creating a comprehensive overview of the actors that apply SMCS in DMP as well as the institutions that guide these complex governance processes. It thus speaks directly to one of the major knowledge gaps identified in D3.1 where we argue that most studies have an almost exclusive focus on response. Moreover, it promotes a continuous mapping of formal governance processes for a greater understanding and overview of the application of SMCS in European DMP.
The second question aims to explore the meaning and experiences associated with the use of SMCS in DMP across multiple settings. By asking this explorative question, we get one step closer to understanding the potential impact of SMCS in DMP in both theory and practice. This second research question thus aims at addressing a second major knowledge gap identified in D3.1: focusing on people and organisations and their uptake of SMCS technologies.
The third question then aims to provide recommendations for how disaster governance can be strengthened through the use of SMCS in DMP. The answer to this question is provided by combining the descriptive and explorative ambitions of the two first research questions. To answer these important questions for assessing the impacts of SMCS in DMP, the methodology provides a comprehensive research design as well as a list of research instruments for the empirical data collection process inherent to the case-based assessment.