Toward an organizational technology adoption process (OTAP) for social media integration in a PSAP

Integration of social media in emergency response environments presents specific organizational challenges, such as lack of resources or information credibility. Additionally, there exists individual resistance to change in these environments that could potentially discourage adoption. To identify and understand these challenges, we conducted semi-structured group interviews with emergency call takers and dispatchers. We find that these PSAP operators desire participation and explanation of changes throughout the organizational change process. Participants also articulated they desired training regarding change even when not directly affected. Though change management procedures often call for these strategies, they are commonly overlooked, leaving individuals to imagine worse case scenarios that manifest as additional stress in an already stressful work environment. It is suggested that a formalized change management process which directly addresses the identified challenges within the organizational technology adoption process (OTAP) is needed in order to mitigate undue stress.