Evaluating the Influence of Resident Agencies’ Participation in Flood Management via Social Media, in Nigeria

Abstract

Disaster management is conducted in multilevel and different stages. However, these different stages are tied together by the key infrastructural components of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) such as social media which is central to the effectual management of disaster through residents’ participation. Nevertheless, there has been limited access to information technologies that enhance quick recovery services, timely response, and effective dissemination of disaster-related information. Therefore, this study examined the influence of resident agencies’ participation in disaster management via the use of social media information planning and training possibilities (SMDPT) in Nigeria. The study used a survey questionnaire and stratified random sampling technique to collect 370 primary data from flood disaster management agencies in Ibadan, Nigeria. The collected data were analyzed using Partial Least Square - Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). The study found that social media information planning and training (SMDPT) had a positive influence on flood disaster preparedness (DPRE), disaster response (DRES), and disaster recovery (DREC). Therefore, the study concludes that social media has become an important tool for planning during an emergency situation. Hence, an important implication of this study to the environmental regulatory policymakers and emergency response agencies is to create more awareness on the usability and applicability of social media in providing credible information regarding disaster management.