What drives the effective utilization of digital technologies in emergency management? An interpretive structural modeling approach

Purpose – This article explores how to ensure effective digital emergency management. Design/methodology/approach – Drawing on organizational information processing theory and design science research methodology, the research employs Interpretive Structural Modeling and the MicMac analysis. Findings – This research approach enabled the development of a model for effective use of digital technologies in emergency management. The model identifies six levels of developing digital technology utilization in emergency management. Appropriate factors are assigned to each level and categorized according to their influence on other factors. The findings demonstrate how high operational effectiveness can be achieved in emergency management through digitalization. The study also found that operational effectiveness improves alongside trust in digital technologies. The resulting model outlines the conditions for effective digital emergency management. Originality/value – This article is among the few that provide a comprehensive analysis of the factors that enable effective use of digital technologies in emergency management. Its originality also stems from the research methodology employed.