Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management

This book contains the refereed proceedings of the First International Conference on Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management in Mediterranean Countries, ISCRAM-med 2014, held in Toulouse, France, in October 2014.The aim of ISCRAM-med was to gather researchers and practitioners working in the area of Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management, with a special but not limited focus on Mediterranean crises. These include political crises, economic crises, natural hazards, and fatal industrial incidents.The 15 full papers included in this book were carefully reviewed and selected from 44 submissions. The contributions are organized in topical sections on supply chain and distribution; modeling and training; human interactions in the crisis field; coordination and agility; and social aspects in crisis management.

The objective of this research approach is to analyse in which ways crisis management measures against Classical Swine Fever (CSF) can be improved by a public private cross border model. A core activity contains the analysis of information and communication systems: In a case study it has been empirically analysed if a sufficient supply of public and private information enables crisis managers at both sides of the Dutch-German border area to take decisions about CSF control more efficient. At the end of this approach a new crisis management model had been developed. One of the most important aspects thereby is the assessment of data: (1) within private quality management systems in normal times according to the benefit for public management tasks in times of crisis and (2) within public crisis management systems according to the benefit for cross-border CSF-control activities. To this effect two different methodological approaches have been combined within the model: (1) a method to identify and illustrate public actors and their options in crisis management decision making and (2) a system of communication and information exchange between public and private as well as Dutch and German actors (engage& exchange model) which permit to collect and to evaluate data in addition for a predefined time period are activated.

The International Journal of Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management, IJISCRAM, has a goal of promoting quality research into information systems, IS, for crisis response and management. Unfortunately, this research doesn’t lend itself well to the traditional positivist quantitative research methodologies considered quality research by main stream IS researchers. Instead, our methodologies focus on qualitative and action research methods. This event report, on the Golden Phoenix exercise, is action and experimental research. Action research as all the authors were participants in the exercise. Experimental research as the exercise itself was a live world laboratory for testing various IS, sensor, and other technologies supporting crisis response.

Crisis management (CM) systems today are gaining more importance than ever before because of the increasing number of natural and manmade crises. However, there is not a unique worldwide CM policy; the systems are different in every single country as exemplified by even developed European Union member countries that apply different systems. Defining the characteristics of four EU countries may give an idea in understanding the various public administration perspectives and their effects on CM systems. This paper explains the crisis management systems in Germany, Spain, the United Kingdom, and Turkey and also provides relevant CM case analyses from those countries.

Proceedings of International Conference on Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management (ISCRAM)

The article reveals the main features of the European Union crisis management system and outlines the endeavors undertaken to improve it further by introducing a more proactive approach through enhancing the response mechanism and expanding the capabilities for prevention, preparedness and resilience. The article highlights the ability of the EU crisis management to meet the challenges of the security environment and respond to different scenarios, including overseas political-military crises having a strong impact on various aspects of common security. Furthermore, the article explores the capabilities of the Union to conduct military and civilian missions and operations within the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) and analyzes their specific contribution to international peace and security. The article underlines the importance of self-reliant strategic airlift as a token of strategic autonomy and a provider of flexible mobility options. It goes on to argue that matters of strategic air mobility should be addressed along with the concerns preventing the use of the EU multinational battlegroups so far. Then, the article identifies the Strategic Compass, due to be adopted in 2022, as a platform for a common strategic vision for the Union’s security and defense priorities, a sound basis for consensus on future response options and a facilitator for further integration of the military component of defense into the EU crisis management system. It also maintains that increased responsibilities would impose higher requirements upon the key elements of the crisis management process. The article points to intelligence as an integrated effort supporting CSDP military and civilian missions. Finally, it suggests three main approaches to the development of the European crisis management system and concludes that the main goal should be reinforcing the role of the EU as one of the pillars of international peace and security.

An entropy-based TOPSIS approach for analyzing and assessing crisis management systems in petrochemical industries

A service oriented architecture for decision support systems in environmental crisis management

Management information system collects and processes data (information) and provides it to managers at all levels who use it for decision making, planning, program implementation, and control. In addition to the global studies of management information system, this paper will analyze similar cases in Albanian enterprises. Albanian enterprises strongly need management information systems and the facilities that they bring to their management ensuring a better functioning and higher performance of different enterprise processes. In this paper was taken the case study of the Microsoft Dynamics NAV system, the implementation in “Infosoft Systems” enterprise in Albania and the impact of NAV system in some of the enterprise departments. Implementation phase of management information system is one of the most important stages which starts with the organization of the information systems management department and ends with the procurement of the relevant software. To get more information we used a questionnaire which was designed and sent to some enterprises in Albania. The purpose of this questionnaire was to learn how many of them use management information systems, what type of information system they use and the advantages or benefits that the implementation of information systems brings to enterprises in Albania. As a conclusion, management information systems have contributed to enterprises to put in place better functionality, which leads to increased enterprise performance, increased profits, simplified work processes in different departments.

Background: The situation in which radiation emerges uncontrollably is referred to as a radiation accident. Radiation accidents constitute emergencies that can have severe impacts on public health. Therefore, it is of critical importance for hospitals providing healthcare services to be adequately prepared for such incidents.Materials and Methods: This study aims to compare the hospital management protocols for radiation accidents in Türkiye and Japan using the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats (SWOT) analysis method. As a country that has experienced a radiation accident, Japan’s post-incident developments are compared with Türkiye’s current situation. The study first examines the radiation safety regulations, healthcare policies, and hospital management strategies of both countries. While Türkiye has established general protocols under the Hospital Disaster and Emergency Plan (HAP) and for Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) incidents, Japan has enhanced its crisis management and emergency response systems following the 2011 Fukushima Nuclear Accident. Within the framework of the SWOT analysis, the strengths and weaknesses of both countries, potential threats, and opportunities for improvement are analyzed in detail.Results and Discussion: This study highlights how Türkiye can benefit from Japan’s crisis management experience to enhance its preparedness for radiation accidents. The analysis reveals that Türkiye has significant shortcomings, particularly in training, drills, and hospital infrastructure. However, its investments in nuclear energy provide opportunities for development through international collaborations. On the other hand, although Japan possesses advanced radiation monitoring systems and extensive experience, it remains under constant threat due to its high concentration of nuclear power plants and exposure to natural disasters.Conclusion: To prevent radiation accidents, it is recommended to develop a hospital management model based on international standards. Additionally, effective intervention strategies should be formulated through the collaborative decision-making of hospital administrators, healthcare professionals, and policymakers to ensure a comprehensive response to radiation accidents.

The paper presents overview of selected methods and tools of crisis management and compare their steps with steps of systems methodologies from high-level perspective. It is aimed to the methods and tools that comprise systems methodologies - hard and soft. Author focused on analysis of selected tools that are used in disaster management. A comparison of the steps of crisis management methods and systems methodology was done. Based on this comparison, it is possible to point out that systems approach already exists in few of methods of crisis management. The main finding is that only one method of crisis management creates and develops model that helps to abstract the decision. The main benefit of the article is to spread knowledge of systems approach in crisis management.

The anti-crisis management of rural municipalities is an organized special management, based on a set of specific management decisions taken by the governing bodies of institutions and organizations, state and local authorities in the context of resource constraints and increased risk. Monitoring the results of the crisis management of rural municipalities is aimed at tracking its condition and financial performance. The purpose of the crisis management of rural municipalities is to restore their livelihoods and the withdrawal from the crisis of enterprises, institutions, organizations that provide services to the rural population. The nature of changes in the crisis management process was assessed taking into account: the full coverage of the areas of project and event management, the pace of change, the degree of achievement of goals, and the growth of economic indicators. The study developed the basic provisions for improving the information system of crisis management of rural municipalities. The information support system includes: a list of indicators for assessing the course of crisis management, requirements for a data bank. The structure of the information system and the network model of the possibility of creating an agricultural cluster based on rural municipalities are proposed. The proposed information system serves and interconnects, in the mode of interaction, local authorities, scientific and educational unit, functional departmental systems: tax, statistical, environmental protection, rural infrastructure and others. It makes it possible to create a cluster of rural municipalities in a less costly and more coordinated way. The main idea of evaluating and adjusting crisis management is to comprehensively examine the interrelationships of the parameters of the tariff, tax, investment and subsidy policies, taking into account the transformations in the management system of rural municipalities.

The article examines the features of the use of modern information systems and technologies in the activities of enterprises in order to increase the efficiency of management decisions. Based on a study of modern corporate practices in the global financial market, it is proved that corporate information systems for the management of medium and large enterprises is a necessary tool to minimize costs and increase profitability. The purpose of the article is to research the features of modern information systems and technologies using in activity of the enterprises for the purpose of increase of efficiency of administrative decisions. Information system as a set of organizational and technical means for storing and processing information in order to meet the information needs of users, which provides the collection, retrieval, processing and transmission of information. To solve the existing problems of corporate information systems development, an algorithm of actions to increase the level of informatization and efficiency of corporations, which will address current issues of corporate information systems, taking into account domestic legislation and features of corporate governance, increase efficiency and transparency of business processes and provide centralized support for management decisions. at all levels and in all areas of business companies. It is emphasized that one of the main properties of information systems is divisibility into subsystems, which has scales in terms of its development and operation. The stages of creation and functioning (life cycle) of information are specified. It is proved that the use of information systems is a prerequisite for a modern enterprise, that will promote the adoption of sound strategic management decisions aimed at increasing competition (capacity and strengthening the economic security of the enterprise. An effective area for improvement management of the enterprise is implemented modern information systems and technologic, which makes it possible to increase the speed,quality and reliability of collection, storage and information processing; significantly reduce management line staff of the enterprise, which there is preparation of information for the form management decisions; print in the right time management and administration line staff of the enterprise of high-quality other formation; timely and efficient analysis and forecasting of economic activity under receptions; make decisions quickly and efficiently at all levels of enterprise management.

The aim of the article is the study of presumable and real causes of the crisis, the factors that cause it, its signs and consequences that deteriorate the normal conditions of the enterprise functioning. Research methods used in the process of writing the work include general and special methods. From general research methods the following were used: deduction (when constructing the structure of work in the logical interconnectedness and unity, as well as the interdependence of its components), induction (when forming general conclusions of the study), abstract logic and synthesis (when clarifying the interpretations of the categorical tools of crisis management), analysis (in the development of classifications of crisis phenomena, in the study of trends in restaurants crisis management, in processing the results). Special methods used include factor analysis, computational analysis and method of comparisons, tabular and graphic, economic and statistical correlation analysis, forecasting methods (in justifying the prospects of institutions) restaurant business after the cessation of the spread of the coronavirus pandemic) and other methods of studying economic and managerial processes and phenomena. This paper investigates the system of restaurant crisis management and defines its essence and main components. It also considers necessity and relevance of crisis diagnostics and monitoring of restaurants activities and operations during different crisis lifecycle stages. The present work includes a comparison of foreign and Ukrainian experience, as well as the practices of crisis management and reorganization, state regulation in the realm of bankruptcy. It establishes the main external factors of unprofitable activity of restaurant establishments. It determines that the innovation policy in the crisis management process is one of the main tools that contributes to the exit of the establishments under study from the crisis and increase their competitive positions in the market. The current study presents a generalized sequence of crisis management strategic goals implementation. It identifies the phases of the crisis development and the stages of the crisis lifecycle in the restaurant business. It shows the developed structural organisation of restaurant establishments under the influence of the anti-crisis action program. Also, it presents specially developed proposals to reduce electricity costs in the restaurant business. This research offers motivational components that are recommended for introduction into the establishments activities and presents the structural model of restaurants activity crisis management system.

This paper presents a novel software model for public crisis management system in the modern city. Urban emergency such as various hazards will result in serious casualties and property loss. With the development of information technology, scientific crisis management system aided by computers should be constructed to mitigate the disasters. On the one hand, the application of Computer Graphics (CG) and Geographic Information System (GIS) for urban crisis management system is discussed. On the other hand, the integration of CG and GIS in the field of emergency management is proposed for the reference of government agencies.