Abstract

An increase in organizational emergencies warrants investigation into emergency management information systems that serve a novice crisis decision-maker. Small campus-based enterprises such as higher education, and corporate campuses, with no dedicated emergency management offices generally press novice decision-makers into emergency management roles. An investigation was conducted to assess the impact of an emergency management geographic information system (EMGIS) on the decision performance of novice crisis decision-makers through the use of a scenario-based simulation. A mixed method design was used to collect quasi-experimental data on decision time, decision accuracy and situational awareness. Qualitative analysis was also conducted. Statistical results indicated that decision accuracy is positively affected by the use of an EMGIS. Data Envelopment Analysis indicated that efficiency ratios of the EMGIS group outperform the traditional group. Geographic information systems hold much promise in providing systems that are easy to use, promote heightened levels of situational awareness and decision support.

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Assessing the Impact of a GIS for Improving Novice Crisis Decision-Making

An increase in organizational emergencies warrants investigation into emergency management information systems that serve a novice crisis decision-maker. Small campus-based enterprises such as higher education, and corporate campuses, with no dedicated emergency management offices generally press novice decision-makers into emergency management roles. An investigation was conducted to assess the impact of an emergency management geographic information system (EMGIS) on the decision performance of novice crisis decision-makers through the use of a scenario-based simulation. A mixed method design was used to collect quasi-experimental data on decision time, decision accuracy and situational awareness. Qualitative analysis was also conducted. Statistical results indicated that decision accuracy is positively affected by the use of an EMGIS. Data Envelopment Analysis indicated that efficiency ratios of the EMGIS group outperform the traditional group. Geographic information systems hold much promise in providing systems that are easy to use, promote heightened levels of situational awareness and decision support.