Article: Towards a research framework for critical infrastructure interdependencies Journal: International Journal of Emergency Management (IJEM) 2008 Vol.5 No.3/4 pp.235 - 249 Abstract: Critical Infrastructure (CI) interdependencies have important consequences for crisis management, particularly when the crises are cross-border. However, research into CI interdependencies is still immature. The nature of large-scale, cross-border crises in these systems of systems is not easily understood. We have identified several aspects that need to be investigated to gain a more complete understanding of the development of crises in these systems. These aspects include the following: there is a need to understand CIs as interdependent elements of a complex system; ever-increasing interdependencies create new complexity; crises in CI are dynamically complex owing to the existence of significant time delays; there is a need for a long-term perspective; knowledge about CIs is fragmented and resides in many different stakeholders that need to be identified and brought together; there is a need for modelling techniques that can unite the fragmented CI knowledge; there is a need to create effective training and communication tools to transfer insights to crisis managers, policy makers and the general public. Inderscience Publishers - linking academia, business and industry through research

Title: Towards a research framework for critical infrastructure interdependencies

Authors: Jose M. Sarriegi, Finn O. Sveen, J.M. Torres, Jose J. Gonzalez

Addresses: Tecnun (University of Navarra), Manuel de Lardizabal 13, 20018 San Sebastian, Spain. ' Tecnun (University of Navarra), Manuel de Lardizabal 13, 20018 San Sebastian, Spain. ' Tecnun (University of Navarra), Manuel de Lardizabal 13, 20018 San Sebastian, Spain. ' University of Agder, Service Box 509, 4898 Grimstad, Norway; NISlab, Gjovik University College, 2802 Gjovik, Norway

Abstract: Critical Infrastructure (CI) interdependencies have important consequences for crisis management, particularly when the crises are cross-border. However, research into CI interdependencies is still immature. The nature of large-scale, cross-border crises in these systems of systems is not easily understood. We have identified several aspects that need to be investigated to gain a more complete understanding of the development of crises in these systems. These aspects include the following: there is a need to understand CIs as interdependent elements of a complex system; ever-increasing interdependencies create new complexity; crises in CI are dynamically complex owing to the existence of significant time delays; there is a need for a long-term perspective; knowledge about CIs is fragmented and resides in many different stakeholders that need to be identified and brought together; there is a need for modelling techniques that can unite the fragmented CI knowledge; there is a need to create effective training and communication tools to transfer insights to crisis managers, policy makers and the general public.

Keywords: crisis management; critical infrastructures; infrastructure interdependencies; cross-border crises; emergency management.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEM.2008.025094

International Journal of Emergency Management, 2008 Vol.5 No.3/4, pp.235 - 249

Published online: 12 May 2009 *

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Title: Towards a research framework for critical infrastructure interdependencies

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