Adoption, Use and Diffusion of Crisis Apps in Germany: A Representative Survey

Abstract

The research field of crisis informatics examines the potentials and limitations of information and communication technology in crises, disasters, and emergencies. Although ICT plays an increasingly large role in crisis response and management, in-depth studies on crisis apps and similar technology in the context of an emergency have been missing. Based on responses by 1024 participants in Germany, we examine the diffusion, usage, perception and adoption of mobile crisis apps as well as required functions and improvements. We conclude that crisis apps are still a little-known form of disaster ICT, but have potential for enhancing communication, keeping users up to date and providing a more effective crisis management as supplement to other media channels dependent on different underlying infrastructures. However, they should be adaptable to user characteristics, consider privacy, allow communication and offer valuable information to raise awareness of potential disasters without creating an overload. Also, the familiarity with and trust in crisis apps should be addressed to maximize their beneficial impact on crisis communication and management. We discuss further implications as well as directions for future research with larger target groups and specific usage scenarios.