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Rethinking communication in risk interpretation and action
Khan, S. Mishra, Jyoti L. Kuna-hui, E.L. Doyle, E.E.H.
Khan, S.
Mishra, Jyoti L.
Kuna-hui, E.L.
Doyle, E.E.H.
Publication Date
2017
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© 2017 Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht. Reproduced in accordance with the publisher's self-archiving policy.
The final publication is available at Springer via http://dx.doi.org/ 10.1007/s11069-017-2942-z
Peer-Reviewed
Yes
Open Access status
openAccess
Accepted for publication
30/05/2017
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Abstract
Communication is fundamental to the transfer of information between individuals, agencies and organizations, and therefore, it is crucial to planning and decision-making particularly in cases of uncertainty and risk. This paper brings forth some critical aspects of communication that need to be acknowledged and considered while managing risks. Most of the previous studies and theories on natural hazards and disaster management have limited perspective on communication, and hence, its implication is limited to awareness, warnings and emergency response to some selected events. This paper exposes the role of communication as a moderator of not just risk interpretation and action but also various factors responsible for shaping overall response, such as individual decision-making under uncertainty, heuristics, past experiences, learning, trust, complexity, scale and the social context. It suggests that communication is a process that influences decision-making in multiple ways, and therefore, it plays a critical role in shaping local responses to various risks. It opens up the scope for using communication beyond its current use as a tool to manage emergency situations. An in-depth understanding of ongoing communication and its implications can help to plan risk management more effectively over time rather than as a short-term response.
Version
Accepted manuscript
Citation
Khan S, Mishra JL, Kuna-hui EL et al (2017) Rethinking communication in risk interpretation and action. Natural Hazards. 88(3): 1709-1726.
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Article