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ICT as an Enabler for Humanitarian Relief? An Assessment of Communication in Inter-Organizational Context
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Paper prepared for the 55
th
Annual Conference of the International Communication Association
ICT as an Enabler for Humanitarian Relief?
An Assessment of Communication and Information Flow in Inter-
Organizational Context
Annemijn F. van Gorp
School of Information Sciences and Technology
The Pennsylvania State University
## email not listed ##
Abstract Throughout the 1990s, humanitarian crises in developing countries have become more frequent and complex, resulting in extensive international involvement. However, coordination among relief organizations has often been reported to be inappropriate, leading to delayed relief efforts. With rapid advances in information and communication technologies (ICTs), we may ask whether the application of ICTs enhances coordination among relief organizations. To this extent, this study aims to provide a framework situating the use of ICTs within a broader social and technological context, in order to assess the potential of ICTs for enhancing relief. Looking at the use of ICTs as one means to establish broader communications processes, this study shows that organizational needs, inter-organizational cooperation, and ICT use directly influence communication, but are at the same time situated in a particular local context. The exact way in which communication processes are established in turn affects the accuracy, timeliness and completeness of information that at the end determine the efficiency and effectiveness of relief. In particular, the study shows that especially political agendas by both local authorities and relief organizations shape how communication processes will develop, thereby creating a need for the use of ICTs, as well as at the same time restricting its potential.
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| | Authors: van Gorp, Annemijn. |
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Paper prepared for the 55
th
Annual Conference of the International Communication Association
ICT as an Enabler for Humanitarian Relief?
An Assessment of Communication and Information Flow in Inter-
Organizational Context
Annemijn F. van Gorp
School of Information Sciences and Technology
The Pennsylvania State University
Abstract
Throughout the 1990s, humanitarian crises in developing countries have become more
frequent and complex, resulting in extensive international involvement. However,
coordination among relief organizations has often been reported to be inappropriate,
leading to delayed relief efforts. With rapid advances in information and communication
technologies (ICTs), we may ask whether the application of ICTs enhances coordination
among relief organizations. To this extent, this study aims to provide a framework
situating the use of ICTs within a broader social and technological context, in order to
assess the potential of ICTs for enhancing relief. Looking at the use of ICTs as one means
to establish broader communications processes, this study shows that organizational
needs, inter-organizational cooperation, and ICT use directly influence communication,
but are at the same time situated in a particular local context. The exact way in which
communication processes are established in turn affects the accuracy, timeliness and
completeness of information that at the end determine the efficiency and effectiveness of
relief. In particular, the study shows that especially political agendas by both local
authorities and relief organizations shape how communication processes will develop,
thereby creating a need for the use of ICTs, as well as at the same time restricting its
potential.
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