Russia and East-Central Europe in the modern world-system: A structuralist perspective

Dissertação de mestrado em Gestão (Empreendedorismo), apresentada à Faculdade de Economia da Universidade de Coimbra, sob a orientação Pedro Hespanha.Este estudo tem como objetivo analisar o sucesso de políticas de crédito orientadas para a criação de negócios por pessoas com dificuldades no acesso ao crédito, especificamente, microcrédito. Foi selecionada como exemplo dessa política de crédito a tipologia de operações de crédito Microinvest, por via do acesso ao crédito ao investimento bonificado e garantido, no âmbito do PAECPE, a promover e executar pelo IEFP, I.P., analisando o seu impacte no empreendedorismo e inovação. O modelo de investigação assenta na teoria da contingência e na teoria interpessoal, possibilitando avaliar não só o meio envolvente na decisão empreendedora, mas também o papel do indivíduo, suas competências pessoais e interpessoais, a fim de identificar fatores que afetam o empreendedorismo e as relações institucionais, e examinar como estes fatores se combinam, globalmente, para despoletar uma cultura empreendedora, de âmbito nacional, e analisar como se interrelacionam para melhorar a sua performance. Os resultados obtidos indiciam que o empreendedorismo é influenciado pela sua situação laboral, a sua motivação, o meio envolvente inserido, os fatores demográficos, os recursos disponíveis, nomeadamente, o capital psicológico, o capital relacional, destacando-se o contexto institucional como fator que pode causar impacte negativo no sucesso da criação de negócios. Conclui-se que o Microinvest, com quase cinco anos de implementação, conta com menos de 400 beneficiários, um valor muito modesto, pelo que os dados recolhidos e conclusões apresentadas serão um contributo para todas as instituições interessadas, em melhorar a eficácia desta tipologia de operação de crédito

The status of climate risk management in Austria. Assessing the governance landscape and proposing ways forward for comprehensively managing flood and drought risk

Climate and weather-related damage have been increasing globally in recent decades. Due to climate change and socio-economic developments, a further increase in climate-related risks is expected. Numerous countries have a long and successful history in disaster risk management (DRM) to avoid, minimize and manage damage caused by extreme weather events. In addition, climate change adaptation (CCA) focuses on managing the risks resulting from climate change today and in the future. To improve the effectiveness and efficiency of managing climate-related risks, these two independent approaches need to be linked closer in a more holistic approach – a concept that has been termed climate risk management (CRM). In order to build stronger ties in practice, it is crucial to first understand current governance structures in specific countries or regions. This paper focuses on Austria, a country with experience in both DRM and CCA. In this paper, we present a comprehensive picture of the stakeholder landscape and governance structures in the context of managing climate-related risks. We focus on flooding and agricultural drought, two key risks in Austria. Building on a literature review and a two-stage stakeholder process, consisting of stakeholder interviews and stakeholder workshops, relevant institutions and actors were identified and assigned to a 4-phase CRM cycle. Moreover, specific activities of the identified actors and interactions between them were determined. Based on these insights, we conclude that a comprehensive CRM, which aligns DRM and CCA practice, does not yet exist in Austria. We propose to establish the missing CRM decision-making structures by e.g. instituting a legally-anchored national climate risk council, which can act as an interface between CRM practice and political decision-making

Klimarisikomanagement (KRM) in Österreich: Bestandsaufnahme der Stakeholder-Landschaft und der Governance-Strukturen für die Klimarisiken Hochwasser & Trockenheit/Dürre. RESPECT Working Paper No.1

Klima- und wetterbedingte Schäden haben in den letzten Jahrzenten österreichweit zugenommen. Aufgrund des fortschreitenden Klimawandels und sozioökonomischer Entwicklungen ist mit einer weiteren Zunahme klimabezogener Risiken zu rechnen. Bereits heute wird im Naturgefahrenmanagement versucht, die durch die natürliche Klimavariabilität ausgelösten Ereignisse zu vermeiden, zu minimieren bzw. zu bewältigen. Die Klimawandelanpassungspraxis hingegen fokussiert darauf, die durch den voranschreitenden Klimawandel verstärkten Risiken zu managen. Um klimabezogenes Risikomanagement zukünftig effektiver zu gestalten erscheint es sinnvoll, die beiden derzeit eigenständigen Bereiche in einem gesamtheitlichen Ansatz – dem Klimarisikomanagement (KRM) – zu verknüpfen. Der vorliegende Bericht stellt eine erste Bestandsaufnahme der Stakeholder-Landschaft und der Governance-Strukturen im Bereich Klimarisikomanagement dar, mit den Schwerpunkten Hochwasser und Trockenheit/Dürre in Österreich. Mittels einer zweistufigen Stakeholder-Analyse, bestehend aus Stakeholder-Interviews und zwei anschließenden Stakeholder-Workshops, konnten die einzelnen Akteure und Institutionen dem, ebenfalls im Rahmen von RESPECT entwickelten, 4-Phasen KRM-Zyklus zugeordnet und Interaktionen zwischen den einzelnen Akteuren aufgezeigt werden. Aufgrund der Interviewergebnisse und der Stakeholder-Workshops wurde festgestellt, dass ein umfassendes proaktives KRM in der österreichischen Praxis noch kein relevantes Thema ist, obwohl bereits punktuell einzelne Maßnahmen gesetzt werden. Wir schlagen vor, durch die Gründung eines gesetzlich verankerten nationalen Klimarisikorats die noch fehlenden KRM-Entscheidungsstrukturen zu etablieren, bzw. eine Schnittstelle zur politischen Entscheidungsfindung herzustellen. Zur Identifikation von konkreten Rollen und Verantwortlichkeiten, welche derzeit unklar geregelt sind und somit zur KRM Umsetzungslücke beitragen, eignen sich partizipative Forschungsmethoden wie die RESPECT Rollenspiel Simulation Klimarisikomanagement. Weitere konkrete Vorschläge hin zu einer Operationalisierung eines umfassenden KRMs betreffen die Erweiterung des Katastrophenfondsgesetzes um eine vorbeugende Komponente im privaten Bereich, sowie die Kombination mit privaten Versicherungsmodellen. Da die Umsetzung einer klimarisikobewussten Politik auch von einer breiten gesellschaftlichen Unterstützung abhängt, sollte die Bevölkerung durch Informationskampagnen für Klimarisiken sensibilisiert werden

Responsibility & Risk: Operationalizing comprehensive climate risk layering in Austria among multiple actors (RESPECT)

Damages caused by climate and weather extremes, such as floods and droughts, have increased over the last few decades and will likely broaden with the progression of climate change and socioeconomic development. Such climate-related risks are already being governed within the framework of natural disaster risk management, as well as climate change adaptation. However, to manage these climate risks more effectively it is necessary to link these two domains under the umbrella of Climate Risk Management (CRM)

Integrating climate adaptation, water governance and conflict management policies in lake riparian zones: insights from African drylands

As river basin authorities and national governments develop policies to achieve sustainable development outcomes, conflicting signals between existing policies are undermining cross-thematic integrative modes of policy planning. This raises fundamental questions over how coherent portfolios of policy interventions across vital themes can best be advanced and managed. Taking the Lake Chad Basin (LCB) as an empirical example, we analyse transboundary policies and intervention documents relating to climate adaptation, water governance and conflict management to ascertain the interdependencies at the adaptation-water-peace nexus. Using a Qualitative Document Analysis (QDA) approach and a set of subjective integration scoring criteria, we assess whether and how integration is planned, setting out ways forward for mutually beneficial integration actions.Despite recent progress in addressing lake drying and recognising cross-thematic challenges, most LCB intervention plans continue to adopt standalone basin-scale agendas and seldom consider action plan preparedness based on local-level assessments. Analysis of a few (existing) cross-thematic, well-integrated initiatives indicates that the timings of societal challenges and funding arrangements appear to play a key role in shaping policy strategies, the manner in which climate adaptation, water or security are treated and the level of integration attained. Based on the notion that integration is inherently desirable, we suggest a new ‘policy integration thinking’ that embraces a development landscape logic and balances short-term and long-term development priorities

Flood preparedness of private households : determinants of protective behaviour and insights into collective action

Private Eigenvorsorge wird als Schl\ufcsselfaktor gesehen, um die Resilienz hochwassergef\ue4hrdeter Haushalte gegen derzeitige und zuk\ufcnftige Hochw\ue4sser zu erh\uf6hen. Um m\uf6gliche Hochwassersch\ue4den zu verringern, k\uf6nnen private Haushalte Schutzma fnahmen auf Geb\ue4udeebene setzen oder als Kollektiv gemeinsam gegen Hochwasserrisiken vorsorgen.Trotz der Wirksamkeit solcher Ma fnahmen ist die Eigenvorsorge unter Haushalten gering. Dies hat dazu gef\ufchrt, dass sich ein neuer Forschungsstrang mit den f\uf6rdernden und hemmenden Faktoren von Schutzverhalten vor Hochwasser besch\ue4ftigt. In der Literatur herrscht dennoch Unklarheit \ufcber diese Faktoren, au ferdem blieben wichtige soziale Einflussgr\uf6 fen unber\ufccksichtigt. Auf der kollektiven Ebene sind Bottom-up-Initiativen ein neues Ph\ue4nomen, dessen Rolle in hochwassergef\ue4hrdeten Gemeinden noch kaum erforscht ist.Vor dem Hintergrund dieser Forschungsl\ufccken verfolgt diese Arbeit das Ziel, die Einflussfaktoren auf das Vorsorgeverhalten hochwassergef\ue4hrdeter Haushalte zu ermitteln, und die Rolle kollektiven Handelns im Hochwasserrisikomanagement zu beleuchten. Um die individuellen und sozialen Faktoren, die Schutzverhalten bestimmen, zu identifizieren, wurden einschl\ue4gige sozial-psychologische Theorien auf Daten aus zwei Haushaltsbefragungen (n=226 und n=2.007) angewandt. Einblicke in kollektives Handeln konnten durch eine Analyse von Bottom-up-Initiativen und Experteninterviews mit ausgew\ue4hlten Akteuren in der Hochwasservorsorge gewonnen werden.Die Ergebnisse zeigen, dass das wahrgenommene Hochwasserrisiko Haushalte nicht dazu veranlasst, Schutzma fnahmen zu setzen, sondern lediglich zu Rechtfertigungen f\ufcr Nicht-Handeln f\ufchrt. Die Einsch\ue4tzung der Wirksamkeit und der Kosten von Schutzma fnahmen wurde als die relevanteste individuelle Einflussgr\uf6 fe auf das Vorsorgeverhalten identifiziert. In Bezug auf die sozialen Faktoren stellte sich heraus, dass Haushalte mit engeren sozialen Verbindungen ihr eigenes Hochwasserrisiko geringer, und gleichzeitig ihre F\ue4higkeit, mit Hochwassergefahren umzugehen, besser einsch\ue4tzen. Au ferdem wurde gezeigt, dass Hochwasseropfer im Ereignisfall dank ihres Sozialkapitals umfassende soziale Unterst\ufctzung mobilisieren k\uf6nnen. Vertrauen in soziale Akteure etwa in Regionalpolitiker, freiwillige Einsatzkr\ue4fte und Nachbarn erwies sich dar\ufcber hinaus als bedeutsame Einflussgr\uf6 fe auf die Eigenvorsorge. Frustration, Hochwasserkatastrophen und \uf6ffentliche Anreize k\uf6nnen zur Gr\ufcndung von Bottom-up-Initiativen f\ufchren, die eine gro fe Bandbreite von risikomindernden Aktivit\ue4ten setzen und deren Zusammenarbeit mit lokalen Interessensgruppen unterschiedliche Formen annehmen kann.Diese Dissertation liefert einen wichtigen Beitrag f\ufcr die Hochwasserrisikoforschung, indem sie die Einflussgr\uf6 fen auf das Schutzverhalten hochwassergef\ue4hrdeter Haushalte identifiziert und bisherige Forschungserkenntnisse durch die Ber\ufccksichtigung sozialer Einflussgr\uf6 fen erweitert. In der Praxis k\uf6nnen diese Ergebnisse der Risikokommunikation wertvolle Hinweise darauf geben, welche Faktoren angesprochen werden m\ufcssen, um Haushalte dazu zu bewegen, Vorsorgema fnahmen zu treffen. Die Erkenntnisse \ufcber Bottom-up-Initiativen k\uf6nnen Risikomanager au ferdem dabei unterst\ufctzen, das kollektive Potenzial Betroffener als zus\ue4tzliche M\uf6glichkeit zu nutzen, um die Resilienz gegen Hochwasser zu st\ue4rken.Flood preparedness of private households is considered key to enhancing resilience to present and future flood risk. Households can prepare for flooding by taking property level measures, or by engaging in collective action aimed at increasing community-wide resilience. Most households, however, are reluctant to take action, which has stimulated a new line of research on the drivers of and barriers to flood protective behaviour. Despite this increasing interest, flood preparedness is still poorly understood, and far too little attention has been paid to social determinants. At the collective level, bottom up initiatives are a recent development, although little is known about the actual role of these initiatives in flood-prone communities.In the light of these gaps, the objectives of this dissertation are to (i) understand the determinants that influence household flood preparedness and (ii) provide insights into collective action in flood risk governance. Based on two household surveys (n=226 and n=2,007), social-psychological theories were applied to identify the individual and social determinants of protective behaviour. Insights into collective action were derived by a screening of bottom up initiatives and expert interviews with selected actors in flood risk governance.Instead of leading to protective behaviour, households perceived flood risk was found to trigger justifications for inaction. Judgments about the effectiveness and costs of mitigation measures were identified as the two main individual determinants of flood preparedness. With respect to the social determinants, households with strong social ties tend to feel less threatened by flooding and have stronger beliefs in their own capacities to cope with flood risk; moreover, it was shown that social capital allows flood victims to mobilise social support during a flood. Trust in social groups, including local governments, volunteers in emergency services and neighbours, was also found to significantly impact preparedness. The formation of bottom up initiatives is driven by frustration, catastrophic floods and public incentives. Flood initiatives were found to cover a wide range of risk-reducing activities and operate in different partnership arrangements with local stakeholders.This dissertation significantly contributes to flood risk research as it pinpoints influential factors of protective behaviour and extends the scope of existing research to include social determinants. With respect to practical implications, the results can help inform risk communication strategies as to which factors need to be addressed to encourage the uptake of private flood mitigation measures; moreover, the insights into bottom up initiatives can help risk managers to leverage the collective potential of communities as an additional route to enhanced flood resilience.Babcicky PhilippZusammenfassungen in Deutsch und EnglischDissertation Karl-Franzens-Universit\ue4t Graz 2018 013

Journal of Flood Risk Management / Trust and the communication of flood risks: comparing the roles of local governments, volunteers in emergency services, and neighbours: Trust and the communication of flood risks

Risk information need to be communicated by trusted groups, in order to promote attitude and behaviour change. We compare different levels of trust in local governments, volunteers in emergency and relief services, and neighbours, and how trust in these groups shapes citizens\u2019 perceptions and actions relating to flood risks. Structural equation modelling is applied to a sample of 2007 flood\u2010prone households in Austria. A series of cognitive and behavioural responses to flood risks is regressed on trust shown to the three groups. Our findings show that citizens show great trust and attribute high competence to volunteers, which increases risk perception and reduces denial and wishful thinking. Trust in local government downplays risks, makes citizens rely on external help, and promotes fatalism and wishful thinking. Trust in neighbours increases reliance on social support and reinforces wishful thinking. These trust effects reflect the roles and risk narratives of the respective groups. To stimulate specific actions of citizens in flood risk management, the group which addresses the desired actions within its narrative should act as risk communicator. Risk communication could be introduced as a complementary activity in voluntary emergency and relief services, wherein older, retired volunteers seem particularly qualified as risk communicators.Fonds zur F\uf6rderung der Wissenschaftlichen Forschung W1256\u2010G15Version of recor

Journal of Risk Research / Unpacking Protection Motivation Theory: evidence for a separate protective and non-protective route in private flood mitigation behavior

Flood preparedness of private households is regarded an essential building block of integrated flood risk management. In the past decade, numerous empirical studies have employed the protection motivation theory (PMT) to explain flood mitigation behavior at the household level. However, much of this research has produced mixed results and could not consistently confirm the strength and direction of the relationships between the PMT components. Based on a survey of 2,007 households in flood-prone areas, this study revisits the model structure of the PMT by means of structural equation modeling. Compared to the methods used in previous studies, this modeling technique allows us to capture the PMT components in greater detail and to comprehensively test their hypothesized interrelations. Our results point to two separate routes leading to two different response types: A protective route from coping appraisal to protective behavior, and a non-protective route from threat appraisal to non-protective responses. Risk perception is not found to be part of the protective route, neither are non-protective responses confirmed to undermine protection motivation. The two separate routes are observed consistently across all combinations of the six protective and four non-protective responses assessed in this study. In the light of encouraging private flood adaptation, risk communication measures should specifically target the protective route and avoid (accidentally) providing incentives that fall within the non-protective route. This cross-sectional study, however, cannot establish how the two routes interrelate over time. More experimental and longitudinal research is required to address potential feedback effects and the role of decision stages.Fonds zur F\uf6rderung der Wissenschaftlichen Forschung W1256-G15Version of recor