Data Model Development for Fire Related Extreme Events - An Activity Theory and Semiotics Approach

Post analyses of major extreme events reveal that information sharing is critical for an effective emergency response. The lack of consistent data standards in the current emergency management practice however serves only to hinder efficient critical information flow among the incident responders. In this paper, we adopt a theory driven approach to develop a XML-based data model that prescribes a comprehensive set of data standards for fire related extreme events to better address the challenges of information interoperability. The data model development is guided by third generation Activity Theory and semiotics theories for requirement analyses. The model validation is achieved using a RFC-like process typical in standards development. This paper applies the standards to the real case of a fire incident scenario. Further, it complies with the national leading initiatives in emergency standards (National Information Exchange Model).

[1]  Jan Mendling,et al.  XML interchange formats for business process management , 2006, Inf. Syst. E Bus. Manag..

[2]  Alan R. Hevner,et al.  Research Commentary: An Agenda for Information Technology Research in Heterogeneous and Distributed Environments , 2000, Inf. Syst. Res..

[3]  Rui Chen,et al.  Response Information Interoperability: A Development of Data Standards in the Fire Incident Context , 2007 .

[4]  Victor Kaptelinin,et al.  Acting with technology: Activity theory and interaction design , 2006, First Monday.

[5]  Didar Zowghi,et al.  Requirements Elicitation: A Survey of Techniques, Approaches, and Tools , 2005 .

[6]  C. M. Sperberg-McQueen,et al.  eXtensible Markup Language (XML) 1.0 (Second Edition) , 2000 .

[7]  Salvatore T. March,et al.  Design and natural science research on information technology , 1995, Decis. Support Syst..

[8]  H. Raghav Rao,et al.  Web channels in e-commerce , 2001, CACM.

[9]  T A Pryor,et al.  Development of decision support systems , 1990, International journal of clinical monitoring and computing.

[10]  Kecheng Liu,et al.  Understanding the roles of signs and norms in organizations - a semiotic approach to information systems design , 2000, Behav. Inf. Technol..

[11]  Kevin C. Desouza,et al.  On "Information" in Organizations: An Emergent Information Theory and Semiotic Framework , 2002 .

[12]  Jorge J. Gómez-Sanz,et al.  Social Analysis of Multi-agent Systems with Activity Theory , 2003, CAEPIA.

[13]  Robert E. Crossler,et al.  Improving Mutual Understanding of Development Artifacts: A Semiotics-Based Approach , 2007, AMCIS.

[14]  Lorna Uden,et al.  Usable Collaborative Email Requirements Using Activity Theory , 2007, Informatica.

[15]  S. Chatterjee,et al.  Design Science Research in Information Systems , 2010 .

[16]  K. Phillips-Fein.  The 9/11 Commission Report , 2007 .

[17]  Theresa A. Pardo,et al.  Learning about Interoperability for Emergency Response: Geographic Information Technologies and the World Trade Center Crisis , 2006, Proceedings of the 39th Annual Hawaii International Conference on System Sciences (HICSS'06).

[18]  Rui Chen,et al.  Emergency Response Information System Interoperability: Development of Chemical Incident Response Data Model , 2008, J. Assoc. Inf. Syst..

[19]  Michael J. Karter,et al.  FIRE LOSS IN THE UNITED STATES DURING 2009 , 2002 .

[20]  Rob Procter,et al.  User participation in standards setting—the panacea? , 1998, STAN.

[21]  Rui Chen,et al.  Coordination in emergency response management , 2008, CACM.

[22]  Veda C. Storey,et al.  A semiotics framework for information systems classification and development , 1999, Decis. Support Syst..

[23]  H. Raghav Rao,et al.  Modeling Team Processes: Issues and a Specific Example , 1995, Inf. Syst. Res..

[24]  John Millar Carroll.  HCI Models, Theories, and Frameworks: Toward a Multidisciplinary Science , 2003 .

[25]  Y. Engeström,et al.  Activity theory and individual and social transformation. , 1999 .

[26]  J. Offer.  Mind and Society , 1988, Vygotsky and the Social Formation of Mind.

[27]  O. Bertelsen,et al.  Activity Theory , 2003 .

[28]  John Lane,et al.  IEEE Standard Computer Dictionary: Compilation of IEEE Standard Computer Glossaries , 1991 .

[29]  S. Barley.  Semiotics and the Study of Occupational and Organizational Cultures. , 1983 .

[30]  Patrick Lagadec.  KATRINA: EXAMEN DES RAPPORTS D'ENQUÊTE Tome 2: The Federal Response to Hurricane Katrina - Lessons Learned - The White House , 2007 .