Correlation between citizen likelihood to use smartphone apps and social media during a disaster

There are a number of interesting relationships between the different types of social media and apps usage: first, and not very surprisingly, participants who indicated that they are likely to use one function of such mobile phone apps (e.g. to receive alerts) were also likely to use any of the other functions (submit information to authorities, warn other app users). Likewise, participants who responded that they are likely to use one function of a social media site (e.g. for informing themselves) were also likely to use any other function of such social media site (submit information to authorities, warn other social media users). However, there is only a weak to very weak correlation between “passive” usage of mobile phone apps (i.e. usage for receiving information) and any of the three types of social media usage, whereas for “active networkers” (i.e. those who would warn other users) a medium correlation between mobile phone apps usage and social media usage is revealed. Given the abovementioned finding of a high overall likeliness of mobile phone app usage in disaster situations, the reverse conclusion may be drawn that citizens of all ages who are not active or frequent social media users may still be very interested in using mobile phone apps designed for disaster preparedness and disaster response. Furthermore, there is a strong relationship (R=.636) between mobile phone app usage to submit information to authorities in disaster situations and social media usage for the same purpose, which is a correlation that cannot be found across apps usage and social media usage for the other two functions and, accordingly, may be interpreted as a specific usage that is strongly motivated by these citizens' general interest in cooperating with authorities rather than being bound to a specific type of technology.

Cultural Factors: Communication, Attitudes toward authorities, Social networks

Hazards: Natural hazards, Man-made non-intentional hazards or emergency situations, Man-made intentional hazards

Disaster Phases: Response

Types of Actors Concerned: National civil protection body, Local authorities, Media, Government, National research bodies

Recommendations:

• Social media can be a useful alternative communication channel in all stages of disaster management
• The use of new technologies (e.g. Bluetooth) can improve communication strategies in disaster management situations
• Use cultural factors to improve the effectiveness of disaster communication