Harnessing the power of metaphor: uncovering a hidden language of interoperability within the natural speech of emergency managers

Abstract

This study harnesses the non-literal communicative power of metaphor to enable quicker transferal of rich detailed information within and across emergency management organisations to promote multi-agency interoperability. A series of inductive semi-structured interviews with emergency managers from the UK and USA were completed. The collated data was then analysed with content and metaphorical analysis to create two theories. First, the Trivial Pursuit Pie, a conceptual metaphor that demonstrates the interoperability problem whereby intrinsic barriers within Command and Control restrict interoperability. This metaphor can be used as a learning tool to heighten awareness of barriers to multi-agency interoperability in both academic and practitioner environments. Secondly, the theory of interoperability metaphors (TIM) provides a metaphor-based lexicon for interoperability grounded in the natural language of emergency managers. TIM stimulates interoperability through the recognition and usage of linguistic metaphors to develop shared meanings and understanding.