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Research Article
A tale of two hurricanes: Comparing Katrina and Rita through a knowledge management perspective
Article first published online: 14 JUN 2007
DOI: 10.1002/asi.20640
Copyright © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc., A Wiley Company
Issue
Journal of the American Society for Information Science and Technology
Volume 58, Issue 10, pages 1518–1528, August 2007
Additional Information
How to Cite
Chua, A. Y.K. (2007), A tale of two hurricanes: Comparing Katrina and Rita through a knowledge management perspective. J. Am. Soc. Inf. Sci., 58: 1518–1528. doi: 10.1002/asi.20640
Publication History
- Issue published online: 19 JUL 2007
- Article first published online: 14 JUN 2007
- Manuscript Accepted: 11 DEC 2006
- Manuscript Revised: 6 DEC 2006
- Manuscript Received: 21 JUL 2006
- Abstract
- Article
- References
- Cited By
Abstract
This study compares the preparation and response efforts to Katrina and Rita through a knowledge management (KM) perspective. To achieve this objective, a theoretical KM framework is developed to examine the KM processes that underpin disaster management activities. The framework is then used to identify different dimensions along which the two disasters can be compared. The data, totaling some 500 documents, were drawn from a wide variety of news, congressional, and Internet sources. The findings show that the nonchalance towards the disaster's imminence, grossly inadequate preparations, and the chaotic responses seen in Katrina stood in stark contrast to the colossal scale of precautionary measures and response operations primed for Rita. The article concludes by highlighting three KM implications for managing large-scale natural disasters.