STRATEGIC INTELLIGENCE MANAGEMENT Chapter by Marco Manso, Bárbara Manso Chapter 9 - The Role of Social Media in Crisis: A European Holistic Approach to the Adoption of Online and Mobile Communications in Crisis Response and Search and Rescue Efforts*, Pg. 93

9. The Role of Social Media in Crisis: A European Holistic Approach to the Adoption of Online and Mobile Communications in Crisis Response and Search and Rescue Efforts*, Pg. 93 With a century old research history, the sociological study of emergencies has shown that ICT expanded the reach of disaster sociology (Palen et al., 2007), which is now focused on the emerging trend of increasing citizen involvement through online (social) media and mobile communications (computer-mediated interaction) by providing, seeking, and brokering information and connecting those within and outside the geographical area of a crisis with broad implications to response efforts. Still, first responders (FRs) and public protection and disaster relief (PPDR) organizations, upholding their traditional command and control models, have not easily adapted to this new area of global and digital crises. Section 2: The public, Communication, Risk, and National Security

9. The Role of Social Media in Crisis: A European Holistic Approach to the Adoption of Online and Mobile Communications in Crisis Response and Search and Rescue Efforts*, Pg. 93 Large-scale natural disasters and human-induced emergencies, or simply crises, disturb routines and raise significant public scrutiny and undivided media attention; a reality that reinforces today's global emphasis on ICT. Orlikowski's theory on the coadaptation of technology and society, highlighting the creative interdependence of social evolution and technological innovation, has its ultimate token in society's addiction to the Internet and mobile technologies, displaying unprecedented information and communication capabilities (Sutton et al., 2008). Today, mobile and online social media are dramatically changing geopolitics, economic contexts, and the competitiveness of businesses that are transforming societies, a catharsis that is also present in the potential for an improved response to disasters and crisis response efforts. Section 2: The public, Communication, Risk, and National Security

9. The Role of Social Media in Crisis: A European Holistic Approach to the Adoption of Online and Mobile Communications in Crisis Response and Search and Rescue Efforts*, Pg. 93 Citizens' engagement, strongly enabled by social media and mobile technology, is supporting the dissemination of information, often critical and accurate, into the public sphere by providing eyewitness accounts, sending alert messages, exchanging evacuation and rescue experiences, searching and publishing event-related information, volunteering goods and services, and collecting donations. Web-based crisis systems are also present at official headquarters, such as in the United Nations (UN) and the European Union (EU). They aim solely to facilitate and support crisis response efforts for civil protection, which is a well-recognized national responsibility. Section 2: The public, Communication, Risk, and National Security