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Table 5 Attributes and effects of key boundary objects

From: An activity theory analysis of boundary objects in cross-border information systems development for disaster management

Key boundary object*

Attributes

Consequences (factors)

1. VIKING Alliance Governance Structure

·Expanded partnership

·Assured commitments of key stakeholders

 

→Covers the full spectrum of necessary functions for collaborative DM & ISD.

·Improved understanding on the division of duties.

 

·Mandated participation

·Prevented cultural conflicts

 

→Institutionalized positions for key stakeholders (e.g., end-user groups) in the governance structure

·Ensured national-level consistency

 

·Dual-head leadership

·Ensured political power to mobilize all alliance partners

 

→Appoint an authoritative leader.

·Provided a sense of equality and transparency

 

→Confer enough legal authority.

→Promote trust among partners

  

→Secure further funding

2. Information Systems

·Convenient & secure access to all partners

·Created a new layer of direct communication links for DMOs.

A. FLIWAS

→Web-based

→Bypass hierarchical controls

B. VIKING Cockpit (Knowledge/Project Mgmt.)

·Modular multi-version

→Remove stove-piping

 

→Flexible implementation options

→Remove bottleneck at the border

 

·Multi-lingual

·Increase knowledge sharing/creation for ISD

 

·Neutral design

·Lowered adoption barrier

 

→Use open standards

·Interested other EU states

 

→Independent of national DMO structure.

·Increased acceptance of IS

 

·Mandated involvement of all key stakeholders

·Increased interoperability

3. Feedback mechanism (Cross-border DM Exercises)

·Large scale to involve the full spectrum of

·Improved individuals’ understanding of cross-border DM operations.

 

→Partners

·Provided a built-in feedback mechanism

 

·Recurrent exercise

→Offer DMIS evaluation opportunities

 

·Invite potential stakeholders

→Encourage expansive learning

  

·Demonstrated the progress of the ISD

  

→Showcase for FLIWAS to EU states

  

→Revamp internal interests, involvement, and commitment

  

→Keep EU/external supports

  1. * Conditions for a key boundary object in the analysis framework: 1) developed as an expansive solution, meaning it is adaptable and scalable to changing stakeholder needs, and 2) become an influential part of the activity system structure.