Suchergebnisse

Cover -- Half-title -- Series Information -- Title page -- Copyright information -- Table of contents -- List of Figures -- List of Tables -- List of Boxes -- List of Contributors -- Preface -- Introduction: Risk conundrums in a fast and complex world -- Risk analysis: a brief history -- Risks as wicked problems -- Some fundamental questions for analysis in the age of risk conundrums -- The contributions to this book -- References -- 1 How can we be sure that we are working on the right risks? -- Technical experts versus publics -- Values: What do we know about them? How do they enter in? -- Values and culture: What are the links? -- Going wrong I -- Going wrong II -- Going wrong III -- Working on the right risks: How to move forward -- References -- 2 Whose views really matter in the end? -- The implications of psychometric studies -- Scale and time really matter -- Some silliness: knowledge deficits and NIMBYs -- Process can make a difference -- Conclusions -- References -- 3 How do we move forward when there is no trust? -- Introduction -- The nature of social trust -- The conundrums of social trust -- How do we move forward in a context of social distrust? -- Conclusion -- Acknowledgments and disclaimer -- References -- 4 How can we best deal with the unexpected? -- Introduction: surprises, uncertainty, and conundrums -- Some practical experience: four cases -- Concluding observations: moving toward greater societal resilience -- References -- 5 How can we learn more from learning about risk controversies? -- Introduction -- Learning in risk governance, risk communication, and public participation -- The conundrum of learning -- A socio-cultural approach to learning -- A way through the conundrum -- Conclusions -- Acknowledgments -- References

A risk conundrum can be viewed as a risk that poses major issues in assessment, and whose management is not easily engaged. Such perplexing problems can either paralyze or badly delay risk analysis and directions for progression. Rather than simply focusing on the progress in risk analysis that has already been made, it is crucial to consider what has been learnt about these seemingly unmanageable problems and how best to move forward. Risk Conundrums seeks to answer this question by bringing together a range of key thinkers in the field to explore key issues such as risk communication, uncertainty, social trust, indicators and metrics, and risk management, drawing upon case study examples including natural disasters, terrorism, and energy transitions. The initial chapters address risk conundrums, their properties, and the challenges they pose. The book then turns to a greater emphasis on systemic and regional risk conundrums. Finally, it considers how risk management can be changed to address these unsolvable conundrums. Alternative pathways are defined and scrutinized and predictions for future developments set out. This book will be of great interest to students and scholars of risk governance, environmental policy, and sustainable development.

New societal obligations for communicating risk information are emerging in a variety of contexts. This article draws upon the lengthy societal experience with citizen participation programs to identify how risk communication efforts may be effectively structured and implemented. Six major propositions address such themes as means/ends differences in expectations, the timing of the program, the role of credibility and trust, the need for technical and analytical resources, differing thresholds of public involvement, and limitations upon current understandings. Key conclusions for the design of risk communication programs are set forth.

We live in a 'risk society' where the identification, distribution and management of risks, from new technology, environmental factors or other sources are crucial to our individual and social existence. In The Social Contours of Risk, Volumes1 and 2, two of the world's leading and most influential analysts of the social dimensions of risk bring together their most important contributions to this fundamental and wide-ranging field. Volume II centres on the analysis and management of risk in society, in international business and multinationals, and globally. The 'acceptability' of risk to an individual depends on the context, whether the larger society or in, for example, a corporate framework. Their work clarifies the structures and processes for managing risks in the private sector and the factors that produce or impede effective decisions. The authors demonstrate that corporate culture is crucial in determining risk management. They analyse the transfer of corporate risk management systems from industrial to developing countries, and how globalization is spreading and creating new kinds of risk - the combination of traditional and modern hazards presented by climate change, technology transfer and economic growth. They describe the new priorities and capacities needed to deal with these enhanced vulnerabilities around the globe.