scholarly journals Discourse Networks of Emergency Response Communication: A Case Study of Civilian Deliberation on the Reddit Platform

Author(s):  
Cody Wilson ◽  
Megan Kendall

Using discourse and network analysis, this research explores a reddit thread concerning an emergency situation in the U.S.V.I. after a 2017 hurricane. In particular, research seeks to gain greater understanding of deliberation and problem-solving behaviour of a crowdsourced, citizen group in response to a disaster. Findings support the use of network analysis and measures of centrality to isolate particularly important actors and contributions in a network. Furthermore, findings also depict seven archetypical roles played by users in the discourse. Further research is needed to understand how the tier structure of the reddit platform influences network structure and behaviour and normalize methods and approaches to conducting network-based research on the platform for consistent and reliable findings across research cases.

2015 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 30-34 ◽  
Author(s):  
Iraj Mohammadfam ◽  
Susan Bastani ◽  
Mahbobeh Esaghi ◽  
Rostam Golmohamadi ◽  
Ali Saee

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Annelies van der Ham ◽  
Frits Van Merode ◽  
Dirk Ruwaard ◽  
Arno Van Raak

Abstract Background Integration, the coordination and alignment of tasks, has been promoted widely in order to improve the performance of hospitals. Both organization theory and social network analysis offer perspectives on integration. This exploratory study research aims to understand how a hospital’s logistical system works, and in particular to what extent there is integration and differentiation. More specifically, it first describes how a hospital organizes logistical processes; second, it identifies the agents and the interactions for organizing logistical processes, and, third, it establishes the extent to which tasks are segmented into subsystems, which is referred to as differentiation, and whether these tasks are coordinated and aligned, thus achieving integration.Methods The study is based on case study research carried out in a hospital in the Netherlands. All logistical tasks that are executed for surgery patients were studied. Using a mixed method, data were collected from the Hospital Information System (HIS), documentation, observations and interviews. These data were used to perform a social network analysis and calculate the network metrics of the hospital network.Results This paper shows that 23 tasks are executed by 635 different agents who interact through 31,499 interaction links. The social network of the hospital demonstrates both integration and differentiation. The network appears to function differently from what is assumed in literature, as the network does not reflect the formal organizational structure of the hospital, and tasks are mainly executed across functional silos. Nurses and physicians perform integrative tasks and two agents who mainly coordinate the tasks in the network, have no hierarchical position towards other agents. The HIS does not seem to fulfill the interactional needs of agents. Conclusions This exploratory study reveals the network structure of a hospital. The cross-functional collaboration, the integration found, and position of managers, coordinators, nurses and doctors suggests a possible gap between organizational perspectives on hospitals and reality. This research sets a basis for further research that should focus on the relation between network structure and performance, on how integration is achieved and in what way organization theory concepts and social network analysis could be used in conjunction with one another.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Annelies van der Ham ◽  
Frits Van Merode ◽  
Dirk Ruwaard ◽  
Arno Van Raak

Abstract Background Integration, the coordination and alignment of tasks, has been promoted widely in order to improve the performance of hospitals. Both organization theory and social network analysis offer perspectives on integration. This exploratory study research aims to understand how a hospital’s logistical system works, and in particular to what extent there is integration and differentiation. More specifically, it first describes how a hospital organizes logistical processes; second, it identifies the agents and the interactions for organizing logistical processes, and, third, it establishes the extent to which tasks are segmented into subsystems, which is referred to as differentiation, and whether these tasks are coordinated and aligned, thus achieving integration. Methods The study is based on case study research carried out in a hospital in the Netherlands. All logistical tasks that are executed for surgery patients were studied. Using a mixed method, data were collected from the Hospital Information System (HIS), documentation, observations and interviews. These data were used to perform a social network analysis and calculate the network metrics of the hospital network. Results This paper shows that 23 tasks are executed by 635 different agents who interact through 31,499 interaction links. The social network of the hospital demonstrates both integration and differentiation. The network appears to function differently from what is assumed in literature, as the network does not reflect the formal organizational structure of the hospital, and tasks are mainly executed across functional silos. Nurses and physicians perform integrative tasks and two agents who mainly coordinate the tasks in the network, have no hierarchical position towards other agents. The HIS does not seem to fulfill the interactional needs of agents. Conclusions This exploratory study reveals the network structure of a hospital. The cross-functional collaboration, the integration found, and position of managers, coordinators, nurses and doctors suggests a possible gap between organizational perspectives on hospitals and reality. This research sets a basis for further research that should focus on the relation between network structure and performance, on how integration is achieved and in what way organization theory concepts and social network analysis could be used in conjunction with one another.


2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Annelies van der Ham ◽  
Frits van Merode ◽  
Dirk Ruwaard ◽  
Arno van Raak

Abstract Background Integration, the coordination and alignment of tasks, has been promoted widely in order to improve the performance of hospitals. Both organization theory and social network analysis offer perspectives on integration. This exploratory study research aims to understand how a hospital’s logistical system works, and in particular to what extent there is integration and differentiation. More specifically, it first describes how a hospital organizes logistical processes; second, it identifies the agents and the interactions for organizing logistical processes, and, third, it establishes the extent to which tasks are segmented into subsystems, which is referred to as differentiation, and whether these tasks are coordinated and aligned, thus achieving integration. Methods The study is based on case study research carried out in a hospital in the Netherlands. All logistical tasks that are executed for surgery patients were studied. Using a mixed method, data were collected from the Hospital Information System (HIS), documentation, observations and interviews. These data were used to perform a social network analysis and calculate the network metrics of the hospital network. Results This paper shows that 23 tasks are executed by 635 different agents who interact through 31,499 interaction links. The social network of the hospital demonstrates both integration and differentiation. The network appears to function differently from what is assumed in literature, as the network does not reflect the formal organizational structure of the hospital, and tasks are mainly executed across functional silos. Nurses and physicians perform integrative tasks and two agents who mainly coordinate the tasks in the network, have no hierarchical position towards other agents. The HIS does not seem to fulfill the interactional needs of agents. Conclusions This exploratory study reveals the network structure of a hospital. The cross-functional collaboration, the integration found, and position of managers, coordinators, nurses and doctors suggests a possible gap between organizational perspectives on hospitals and reality. This research sets a basis for further research that should focus on the relation between network structure and performance, on how integration is achieved and in what way organization theory concepts and social network analysis could be used in conjunction with one another.


1998 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 49-62
Author(s):  
David F. Brown ◽  
Timothy Mooleedhar

The fact that public health, environment and settlement issues are inevitably linked is especially obvious when an emergency situation occurs. At these times a wide range of government agencies may be called upon to collaborate on providing both emergency response and ensuring that the situation does not re-occur. The effectiveness of public authorities in rising to the occasion often reflects the administrative structure and operational mentality of each organisation. This case study traces the response of public authorities in Trinidad and Tobago to the discovery that the vast majority of residents in a squatter settlement, known as Demerara Road, had been subjected to lead poisoning due to the use of toxic waste as landfill. While initially the issue was treated as a health problem, the medical authorities soon realised that the matter would have to be dealt with as a settlement and land pollution issue. As the perception of the solution to the problem moved from immediate health care to evacuation, permanent resettlement and land decontamination, many other ministries, and the Cabinet itself, became involved. Time also played a role. Currently, more than four years after the discovery of the poisoning, both the residents and the contaminated soil are still in place at Demerara Road. This paper examines the role that various agencies played in resolving the problem. Special attention is given to differences in the way the issue was perceived and the mandate, resources, strategies and apparent values of key agencies. Conclusions are presented concerning the need for a strategic approach to emergency response, the need for balanced, specialised agencies that are linked through effective communication and co-ordination, and supported by appropriate environmental and settlement policy.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Annelies van der Ham ◽  
Frits Van Merode ◽  
Dirk Ruwaard ◽  
Arno Van Raak

Abstract Background Integration, the coordination and alignment of tasks, is widely promoted in order to improve the performance of hospitals. Both organization theory and social network analysis offer perspectives on integration, but studies using a system-wide perspective are rare. This exploratory study describes the tasks that are performed in arranging the logistics for surgery patients in a hospital and in what way the agents involved in these tasks interact. In addition, the extent to which tasks are segmented into subsystems, which is referred to as differentiation, and whether these tasks are coordinated and aligned, thus achieving integration, is analyzed. Methods The study is based on case study research carried out in a hospital in the Netherlands. All logistical tasks that are executed for surgery patients were studied. Using a mixed method, data were collected from the Hospital Information System, documentation, observations and interviews. These data were used to perform a social network analysis and calculate network metrics of the hospital network. Results This paper shows that 23 tasks are executed by 635 different agents who interact through 31,499 interaction links. The social network of the hospital demonstrates both integration and differentiation. The network appears to function differently from what is assumed in literature with regard to hospitals, as the network does not reflect the formal organizational structure of the hospital and tasks are mainly executed across functional silos. Nurses and physicians perform integrative tasks and there are two agents who mainly coordinate the tasks in the network, without having a hierarchical position towards other agents. The Hospital Information System (HIS) does not seem to fulfill the interactional needs of agents. Conclusions This exploratory study reveals the network structure of a hospital. The cross-functional collaboration, the integration found and position of managers, coordinators, nurses and doctors suggests a possible gap between organizational perspectives on hospitals and reality. This research sets a basis for further research that should focus on the relation between network structure and performance, on how integration is achieved and in what way organization theory concepts and social network analysis could be used in conjunction with one another.


2019 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 1
Author(s):  
Muhammad Faizal Samat ◽  
Norazlan Annual ◽  
Raznee Atisya Md Rashidi

This article contributes to ongoing debates about soft skills among students. In 2017, the unemployment rate in Malaysia was at 3.42 percent as compared to 2.85 percent in 2014. Education system must aim towards employability and ensure quality in education to reduce the percentage of unemployment. Thus, this study aims to investigate the development of soft skills among students through co-curriculum activities in UiTM Cawangan Kelantan. The sample were 113 students from UiTM Cawangan Kelantan. Questionnaires adapted from previous research to measure the communication skill, problem solving skill, team building skill, leadership skill and soft development of soft skills among students through co-curriculum activities. SEM-PLS 3.0 were employed in this study. The findings revealed only team building skill has significant influence on developments of soft skills among students through co-curriculum activities. However, the study indicates that communication skill, problem solving skill and leadership skill are not significant towards development of soft skills among students through cocurriculum activities.


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