Evaluation of societal trust on multi-hazard early warning (MHEW) mechanism: Sri Lankan context
International Journal of Disaster Resilience in the Built Environment
ISSN: 1759-5908
Article publication date: 9 July 2021
Issue publication date: 21 September 2022
Abstract
Purpose
It is significant to assess the societal trust toward the new advancements in multi-hazard early warnings (MHEW) with the focus on disaster risk reduction (DRR). Based on this, the purpose of this paper is to examine the extent of societal trust behavior along with the parameters such as mode of communication and institutions of issuing early warnings (EWs).
Design/methodology/approach
A field questionnaire survey was conducted to identify the extent of societal trust. This was conducted in ten selected Grama Niladari divisions in Sri Lanka based on a developed hazard matrix. The fuzzy logic approach was applied to examine the trust level of collected 323 responses obtained through this. The analysis was done based on the responses on mobile-based platforms in EW and the credibility level of the warnings received through different institutions.
Findings
The analyzed survey responses indicated that society has a higher extent of trust toward the EWs disseminated through mobile-based platforms. Moreover, these represent a strong positive correlation among the societal trust level and the level of importance of EW dissemination through mobile-based platforms. Further, in terms of trusted stakeholders in issuing EW alerts, Disaster Management Center, Sri Lanka Police and Media ranked the highest in the Sri Lankan context. Overall, findings were visually mapped through the causal loop diagrams (CLDs).
Practical implications
In enhancing the effectiveness of the existing MHEW mechanism, the policy implications could be done, based on the results obtained from this research study. These could be altered with the implementation of DRR strategies with a community focus.
Originality/value
The fuzzy logic approach was used in the determination of the societal decision-making on the extent of trust level. Fuzzy triangulation is mainly applied in the interpretation of the results. Further, overall parameters that determine the community trust on MHEW are represented through CLDs through system dynamics application.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The authors here gratefully acknowledge Erasmus+ Capacity Building for Higher Education Grant, Capacity Building in Asia for Resilience Education for providing funds and expertise in carrying out this research study. Further, the support provided by Dialog Axiata PLC in coordinating the field survey in this research study is highly appreciated.
Citation
Pitigala Liyana Arachchi, I.S., Siriwardana, C., Amaratunga, D. and Haigh, R. (2022), "Evaluation of societal trust on multi-hazard early warning (MHEW) mechanism: Sri Lankan context", International Journal of Disaster Resilience in the Built Environment, Vol. 13 No. 5, pp. 533-553. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJDRBE-01-2021-0010
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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