Coordination and Its ICT support in Crisis Response: Confronting the Information-Processing View of Coordination with a Case Study

Coordinating the response of multiple agencies during a large-scale crises is a challenge. Using the information-processing view of coordination, a case study is presented in which dependencies, coordination mechanisms, coordination approaches, and supporting information and communication technologies (ICTs) are explored in crisis response exercises. The findings suggest that although current practices and ICT support favor coordination standards and hierarchy, emergent coordination, which is also present, is not adequately addressed and there is opportunity for improvement.