bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Disaster management in Cameroon: the Lake Nyos disaster experience
Authors: Ngenyam Bang Henry 
Published: April 2013

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to review critically, how the Lake Nyos disaster (LND), which occurred in 1986, is being managed by examining the immediate post disaster management and long‐term management. It reveals how the disaster management system in Cameroon influences the management style and process with regards to the technical and socio‐economic management of LND.Design/methodology/approachQualitative research methods for empirical and secondary data were adopted in the study, including interviews (with disaster managers and LND survivors) and reviews of policy documents and media reports. Triangulation of information sources in the analysis has been done to enhance credibility.FindingsWhile significant progress has been made in technical management of LND, the socio‐economic management has been poor. Although this can be partly attributed to the weak financial situation of Cameroon, the major problems seem to be related to human systems.Practical implicationsThe disaster management has focused mainly on technical and structural mitigation measures with less consideration of non‐structural measures. This has had dire consequences for the displaced disaster survivors. A major challenge still lies in tackling social vulnerability within the displaced disaster population.Originality/valueThis paper provides a comprehensive analysis of contemporary challenges facing the management of LND. This paper is important because published information on socio‐economic aspects of LND is very scarce. This paper is part of a larger research that was conducted for a PhD in the UK.
Emergency communications and warning systems
Authors: Martin Nigel , Rice John 
Published: April 2013

PurposeThe frequent occurrence of emergencies and disasters continues to threaten community safety and security. Emergency communications and warning systems (ECWS) allow people to make decisions and take actions before, during and after the emergency or disaster. The critical objective of this study is to determine the critical capacities of ECWS in the Australian context.Design/methodology/approachThis study used stakeholder analysis in which written submissions from individuals, and public and private organizations collected by the Australian federal government were subjected to structured coding techniques in order to identify major ECWS capacity issues. The summary of findings were generating by axially collapsing and summarizing the coded statements.FindingsFindings showed that a broad range of ECWS are deployed in the Australian context. These ECWS come with social and/or technical limitations that suggest the importance of adopting an integrated or systems based approach for their construction and deployment. Also, while the identification of critical infrastructure vulnerabilities reinforced the argument for an integrated systems approach for ECWS, this also demonstrated the pressing need to build resilience and redundancy into domestic infrastructure networks. In addition, new and innovative ECWS technologies and solutions will enable improved emergency or disaster management in the future.Originality/valueThis paper simultaneously considers important factors and issues impacting ECWS and provides an instructive discourse on the requirement for more combinative ECWS.
Influence of physical ability on initial emergency response performance
Authors: Subramaniam Chandrakantan , Ali Hassan , Mohd Shamsudin Faridahwati 
Published: April 2013

PurposeThis paper aims to determine the influence of physical ability on initial emergency response performance among emergency response teams.Design/methodology/approachIn an emergency incident, emergency responders are involved in vigorous physical activities. Previous attempts have demonstrated that job performance of emergency responders depends a great deal on their ability to perform strenuous physical activity. This paper examines the influence of physical ability namely weight, height, and cardiovascular endurance on emergency response performance among fire fighting teams in Malaysia. Emergency response performance was defined as team member's speed in responding to emergency situations. Data on team member's physical ability and emergency response time were collected for the duration of five months. The distance from the waiting room to the fire truck in each selected fire station was used to measure performance.FindingsThis study found that the team with higher average weight and cardiovascular endurance level had better initial response to emergency situations, contrary to the research hypothesis. But it is speculated that the relationship could be further understood by considering the proportion of fat in the body. The relationship between cardiovascular endurance and initial emergency response performance further validates and justifies the use of physical fitness test as a criterion for job performance of fire fighters.Originality/valueThis paper offers empirical evidence of emergency response performance in Malaysia. Specifically, it presents findings on the influence of physical ability measures on initial emergency response performance from a team perspective. In addition, the emergency response performance was measured by the distance traveled by the responders, which serves as a meaningful performance indicator.
Effects of networks on learning during emergency events
Authors: Hamra Jafar , Hossain Liaquat , Owen Christine , Abbasi Alireza 
Published: April 2013

PurposeThis paper aims to explore the relationship between learning and the social networks employed within the context of emergency management. It hypothesises, using social network theory as a framework for analysis, that changes to interconnectedness between actors are implicated in the potential for those actors to learn and improvise in dynamically changing and emergent conditions.Design/methodology/approachTo test the hypotheses, survey data were investigated which were collected as part of a research study with the support of the Australian Bushfire Co‐operative Research Centre (CRC). This survey was completed by experienced personnel reflecting on a number of indicators in an emergency event.FindingsResults show that increases in actors’ involvement within the social emergency management network influences the ability of those actors to engage in learning‐related work activity. The paper infers that by developing learning related resources within the context of their social interactions these emergency personnel are better able to adapt and improvise in complex emergency events.Research limitations/implicationsAs an area of further research, it would be useful to apply the existing theoretical model to the context of another domain, preferably one that shares characteristics of uncertainty and unstable environments.Originality/valueMost existing studies of learning theory in human networks have focused on learning in situations requiring stable working relationships with no environmental uncertainties. In this paper, it is argued that the designs of existing models are useful as a building block, yet flawed for application within the context of disaster management. By presenting a model of learning‐related work activity, as an ongoing aspect of network connectedness, personnel within emergency services organisations can strengthen their capacity to be flexible and adaptable.
Planning of professional teacher‐training program for disaster prevention education and executing efficiency evaluation
Authors: Chen Chien‐Yuan , Yu Kun‐Huang , Chen Mei‐Ying 
Published: April 2013

PurposeThe aim of this project is to modify and test the executive model of professional teacher training of disaster prevention education.Design/methodology/approachA three‐level teacher‐training program for disaster prevention education and training curricula is designed for campus disaster mitigation. The designed disaster prevention education in schools focus on the awareness of disasters, attitude toward prevention, preparation beforehand, appropriate countermeasures, scheduled drills, establishment of community‐based prevention units, participation, training programs for teachers, safety warning signs for public buildings, and research on disaster prevention.FindingsThe accomplishment of the project includes: the design of a systematic license procedure for disaster prevention for the leading‐level, county‐level, and campus‐level; the design of a systematic curricula for teacher training of disaster prevention and training campus‐level teachers; and the evaluation of the efficiency and performance of the teacher‐training program for disaster prevention education.Originality/valueA three‐level teacher‐training program for disaster prevention education and training curricula is designed. Statistics analysis of training and learning efficiency evaluation by trainee shows that the designed courses are efficient and practical. The project cultured 310 campus‐level disaster prevention teachers and more than 1,000 licensed teachers trained that follow the training program in Taiwan.
In pursuit of ideal emergency planning in Korea
Authors: Ha Kyoo‐Man 
Published: April 2013

PurposeThis paper aims to document the present situation of emergency planning in Korea, and subsequently to provide related alternatives by comparing the reality of “mere awareness approach” and the appropriate strategies to “sincere accommodation approach.”Design/methodology/approachWith the inferences of other countries, mere awareness approach and sincere accommodation approach have been systematically analyzed via the same four components: government employees, traditional minority; foreign‐born population; and animals.FindingsThe major tenet of this paper is that Korea has to change its mere awareness approach to sincere accommodation approach to sincerely facilitate ideal emergency planning.Originality/valueIt is certain that no distinctive research, such as the issue of diverse professionals in emergency planning process, has ever been conducted on the ideal emergency planning in Korea. Thus, conducting a research on how Korea will substantially improve the level of emergency planning in the field of emergency management seems appropriate. Further, the research may let international scholars in the field of emergency management know what has happened or what will be needed in the area of Korean emergency planning.
Is the Normal Accidents perspective falsifiable?
Authors: Silvast Antti , Kelman Ilan 
Published: April 2013

Purpose
– This article is motivated by debates regarding Charles Perrow
'
s Normal Accidents perspective which describes how technological systems are prone to failure if they have complexity and tight coupling. The purpose of this paper is to explore Normal Accidents conceptually to understand whether or not it might be feasible to disprove it or to find counterexamples.

Design/methodology/approach
– The approach taken by this article is to identify and explore assumptions inherent in Normal Accidents which might make the perspective non-falsifiable.

Findings
– The findings and discussion cover two principal assumptions inherent in Normal Accidents. First, no past record of the absence of a Normal Accident excludes the possibility of a future Normal Accident. Second, analysis of a Normal Accident is always relative to the selected definition of the system, but a system can potentially be defined so that there was or was not a Normal Accident.

Practical implications
– Although the Normal Accidents perspective does not appear to be falsifiable, the perspective should still be taught and considered when designing and operating technological systems. The reason is that, even if Normal Accidents is a truism, it is not accepted as such, meaning that society is setting itself up for continual catastrophic failures of technology.

Originality/value
– An exploration is provided of digging beneath the “Normal Accidents” perspective and its discussants to explore why the perspective is so important yet so rarely implemented in practice.
Using education and social learning in capacity building – the IntECR concept
Authors: Johansson Magnus , Nyberg Lars , Evers Mariele , Hansson Max 
Published: April 2013

Purpose
– The aim of this paper is to present a concept where social learning is used in education. Thematically, the concept is suitable for complex, interdisciplinary, societal challenges with a high degree of uncertainty regarding future changes. It is exemplified here by the need to link disaster risk reduction (DRR) with climate change adaptation (CCA) and flood risk management (FRM). The concept answers to the variety of adopted solutions and build-up of knowledge that exist, as a consequence of far-reaching local liabilities and initiatives. The concept advocates building of platforms and procedures where managers, stakeholders, researchers, policy makers, and regular students can meet, interact and learn from local examples.

Design/methodology/approach
– The concept IntECR (integrated education, research and collaboration) has been tested in two courses during 2009 and 2010 around the Swedish lakes Vänern and Mälaren. Seminars and field visits were arranged in ten different cities. Participants replied anonymously to a course evaluation and were questioned in groups about their perceived benefit from the concept.

Findings
– Informal networking, holistic perspective, shared problem identification and the positive possibility to study several examples of local management in arrangements with high degree of structural openness, were mentioned by the participants as positive outcome of the concept.

Originality/value
– The use of this educational concept aims to increase the adaptive capacity of societal entities through raised capacity of their individual members. The applied example is timely, relevant and a contribution to DRR and CCA.
Understanding wildfire vulnerability of residents in Teton County, Wyoming
Authors: Kanclerz Lucas , DeChano‐Cook Lisa M. 
Published: April 2013

PurposeThis research aims to examine the wildfire vulnerability of part‐time and full‐time residents in the wildland‐urban interface (WUI) of Teton County, Wyoming. Are part‐time residents creating more of a vulnerability to the community because they do not live in the community all year, they have limited experience with wildfires, and they perceive Firewise activities as not being effective mitigation practices?Design/methodology/approachData collection took place via a survey that inquired about respondents past wildfire experiences, if they do Firewise activities, and how effective they feel these wildfire home protection activities are. Responses were analyzed by Chi‐squared and t‐tests where appropriate.FindingsThe results of this study indicate that part‐time residents have the same past wildfire experiences and perceptions of Firewise activities, and do similar Firewise activities as full‐time residents. This suggests that these communities in Teton County may be more homogenous in their vulnerability than other wildfire communities.Research limitations/implicationsBecause of the limited geographic scope, results cannot be generalized for the entire county, the state of Wyoming, or other wildfire‐prone residential areas. Therefore, researchers are encouraged to investigate other WUI areas.Practical implicationsThis research suggests that local and federal agencies in and near these communities talk to the residents of wildland‐interface communities and help them become less vulnerable to the wildfire hazard.Originality/valueThis research adds to the limited know of wildfire‐urban interface vulnerability and perceptions. It is significant because this interface will expand as amenity migration into these natural areas continues to occur.
Developing an approach to assess the influence of integrating disaster risk reduction practices into infrastructure reconstruction on socio‐economic development
Authors: Palliyaguru Roshani , Amaratunga Dilanthi , Haigh Richard 
Published: April 2013

PurposeDisasters provide physical, social, economic, political and environmental development windows of opportunity particularly through housing and infrastructure reconstruction. The reconstruction process should not be neglected due to the opportunistic nature of facilitating innovation in development. In this respect, post‐disaster “infrastructure” reconstruction plays a critical role in development discourse and is often essential to sustain recovery after major disasters. However, reconstruction following a natural disaster is a complicated problem involving social, economic, cultural, environmental, psychological, and technological aspects. There are significant development benefits of well‐developed “Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) Strategies” and, for many reasons, the concept of DRR can be more easily promoted following a disaster. In this respect, a research study was conducted to investigate the effects of integrating DRR strategies into infrastructure reconstruction on enhancing the socio‐economic development process from a qualitative stance. The purpose of this paper is to document part of this research study; it proposes an approach that can be used to assess the influence of the application of the DRR concept into infrastructure reconstruction on socio‐economic development.Design/methodology/approachThe research methodology included a critical literature review.FindingsThis paper suggests that the best way to assess the influence of integrating DRR strategies practices into infrastructure reconstruction on socio‐economic development is to assess the level of impact that DRR strategies has on overcoming various factors that form vulnerabilities. Having assessed this, the next step is to assess the influence of overcoming the factors that form vulnerabilities on achieving performance targets of socio‐economic development.Originality/valueThis paper primarily presents a framework for the concept of socio‐economic development and a modelled classification of DRR practices.
Sources of equity in fashion markets
Authors: Calvo Dopico Domingo , Calvo Porral Cristina 
Published: April 2013

PurposeThe aim of this research is to identify sources of differentiation in the fashion market as well as finding out sources of brand equity to distinguish the offer, enabling a better competitive position to be achieved.Design/methodology/approachTo reach this objective, qualitative research was first carried out with 36 sector executives. Based on the results from the initial stage, 250 surveys were then carried out with potential consumers in order to analyze sources of brand equity.FindingsIn the fashion industry, the variables that show great potential for differentiation are excellence in the delivered finished product, brand image and design. In addition, loyalty and brand associations, in which image and design stand out, have been shown to be the most outstanding sources of brand equity.Practical implicationsThe allocation of financial resources to the intangible assets of brand image and design should be profitable for the company. The creation of networks of designers and stylists would allow first‐hand information on market evolution. This input would be the basis for identifying new opportunities (e.g. fashionable colours, etc.) and also for anticipating new trends in clothing.Originality/valueDiscovering the sources of equity and their contribution to differentiating and developing high added‐value products for the consumer represents an original contribution in research into fashion markets and brand equity.
Price strategy, information sharing, and firm performance in a market channel with a dominant retailer
Authors: Yan Ruiliang , Myers Chris Anthony , Wang John 
Published: April 2013

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to provide a framework to help the manufacturers to find the optimal decisions regarding the choice of channel member for information sharing.Design/methodology/approachA game‐theoretical model plus Bayesian forecasting is developed to determine the optimal decisions for the manufacturer.FindingsThe results show that the optimal strategy for the manufacturer is to engage in information sharing with one small retailer exclusively, such that the manufacturer can gain the most benefit from information sharing arrangement in a marketing channel with a dominant retailer.Research limitations/implicationsThe present study is analyzed by a theoretical model. Future research can explore the same study by collecting data to engage in an empirical test.Practical implicationsThis paper provides a useful model framework and pricing strategy for upstream manufacturers who are engaging or planning to engage in information sharing with their retailers.Originality/valueThis paper provides practical and solid advice and examples demonstrating the optimal decisions regarding the choice of channel member for information sharing to best benefit of the manufacturer.
Place branding: creating self‐brand connections and brand advocacy
Authors: Kemp Elyria , Childers Carla Y. , Williams Kim H. 
Published: April 2013

PurposeThe purpose of this research is to investigate how branding theories can be applied to place branding. It aims to examine how internal stakeholders, specifically a city's residents, are fundamental in the brand‐building process.Design/methodology/approachA conceptual model with a theoretical basis in the branding literature is developed to illuminate the antecedents of self‐brand connection and brand advocacy in the context of city branding. The model is then tested using structural equation analysis on a sample of residents from an American city that has taken a cultural/entertainment approach to its branding efforts.FindingsFindings indicate that brand associations, including attitude toward the branding efforts of the city, perceived quality of the brand and the uniqueness of the brand, are crucial in the branding and positioning efforts of a city to its residents. When strong brand associations exist, residents may develop such a connection to the brand that it becomes reflective of their self‐concepts. When this occurs, a self‐brand connection is formed and residents may become advocates of the brand.Practical implicationsThis research has special implications for places and municipalities that are in the process of developing branding strategies for their locales as well as those interested in achieving a competitive advantage with existing brand management systems.Originality/valueThis research provides further insight into the application of branding theory to places and destinations. Implications for developing effective brand management systems that appeal to local residents are enumerated.
Key drivers of automobile brand choice in sub‐Saharan Africa: the case of Ghana
Authors: Narteh Bedman , Odoom Raphael , Braimah Mahama , Buame Samuel 
Published: April 2013

PurposeThe paper aims to investigate the determinants of automobile brand choice in Ghana. Specifically, the paper seeks to hypothesize that consumers of automobiles make their purchases based on a multiplicity of factors.Design/methodology/approachA quantitative approach using questionnaires was adopted to survey 1,020 respondents drawn from various workplaces, churches and homes. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, exploratory factor analysis and multiple regression analysis.FindingsThe study established that the attributes of a car, emotional connection, external influences, awareness and accessibility make a strong and significant contribution to automobile brand choice in Ghana.Originality/valueThe study is one of the few of its nature in sub‐Saharan Africa. The new theoretical and empirical insights into factors influencing consumers' purchase decision of automobiles from the study will be significant to automobile manufacturers and dealers operating in developing countries such as Ghana.