Development and Application of a Malaysian Socio-Technical Disaster Model

Understanding of the development and causes of the disasters provides a tool for organizational and institutional diagnosis of vulnerability and risks. The hindsight gained from these negative events could be utilized by government and enterprises to design organizational structures that will help reduce the likelihood of disaster as the nation progresses. A multi strategy research was designed utilizing qualitative and quantitative approach to develop a socio-technical disaster model and a learning system for Malaysia. Using a grounded theory approach, six inquiry reports were used to identify the phases associated with the development of the socio-technical disasters and their underlying causes. Management of the inquiry into these disasters and the recommendations made by the tribunal of inquiry were also analyzed. Nvivo software program was utilized to model the latent errors attributed to the disasters. A survey was conducted among Malaysian Disaster experts who were selected using judgmental sampling in order to determine their views on disaster and disaster inquiry management. Data obtained from both qualitative and quantitative study was then transferred into a Visual Basic 6.0 computer program to form a learning and advice model. Despite the differences of disasters involved and their technologies, the disasters were found to exhibit common features and characteristics. The findings demonstrated that socio-technical disasters are not sudden cataclysmic events but they evolved in phases with long developmental period. Underlying causes of the disasters are found to be due to latent errors that are accumulated and get embedded in the system during the incubation period. Inside the organization, a complex set of managerial, procedural, training, safety and failure to learn factors interact with external factors of regulatory and human failures to produce the disasters. The experts were found to have only fair perception towards the management of Public and Royal inquiries into disasters in the country. They were least satisfied with recommendations and learning aspect of the inquiry. This commensurate with the overall perception of the experts that the management of the disaster inquiry should be improved in order to increase learning from them. It was suggested that a flexible guideline should be developed so that it is not entirely left to the personal style of the chairman as currently practiced. The data obtained from the study was further utilized to develop an advice and learning model for public access through an application of an expert system. This is a useful tool for teaching at higher institutions; media of instructions for training institutions and industries; and e- learning for professional development

Malaysian Socio-Technical Disaster Model and Learning System

Understanding of the development and causes of the disasters provides a tool for organizational and institutional diagnosis of vulnerability and risks. The hindsight gained from these negative events could be utilized by government and enterprises to design organizational structures that will help reduce the likelihood of disaster as the nation progresses. A multi strategy research was designed utilizing qualitative and quantitative approach to develop a socio-technical disaster model and a learning system for Malaysia. Using a grounded theory approach, six inquiry reports were used to identify the phases associated with the development of the socio-technical disasters and their underlying causes. Management of the inquiry into these disasters and the recommendations made by the tribunal of inquiry were also analyzed. Nvivo software program was utilized to model the latent errors attributed to the disasters. A survey was conducted among Malaysian Disaster experts who were selected using judgmental sampling in order to determine their views on disaster and disaster inquiry management. Data obtained from both qualitative and quantitative study was then transferred into a Visual Basic 6.0 computer program to form a learning and advice model. Despite the differences of disasters involved and their technologies, the disasters were found to exhibit common features and characteristics. The findings demonstrated that socio-technical disasters are not sudden cataclysmic events but they evolved in phases with long developmental period. Underlying causes of the disasters are found to be due to latent errors that are accumulated and get embedded in the system during the incubation period. Inside the organization, a complex set of managerial, procedural, training, safety and failure to learn factors interact with external factors of regulatory and human failures to produce the disasters. The experts were found to have only fair perception towards the management of Public and Royal inquiries into disasters in the country. They were least satisfied with recommendations and learning aspect of the inquiry. This commensurate with the overall perception of the experts that the management of the disaster inquiry should be improved in order to increase learning from them. It was suggested that a flexible guideline should be developed so that it is not entirely left to the personal style of the chairman as currently practiced. The data obtained from the study was further utilized to develop an advice and learning model for public access through an application of an expert system. This is a useful tool for teaching at higher institutions; media of instructions for training institutions and industries; and e- learning for professional developmen

Work-Family Conflict and Coping Behaviour: A Study of Married Nurses

The aim of the research was to examine the work-family conflict of married women nurses and analysed their coping strategies. It was hypothesised that shift work would heightened the intensity of work-family conflict. Data from 243 nurses were collected fro m one of the hospitals in Kuala Lumpur, using self administered questionnaire. Descriptive statistics and t-test analysis were utilised to analyse the data. Overall the nurses experienced low to moderate level of work-family conflict intensity. From the t-test analysis, it was found that there was no significant difference between the mean of the work-family conflict experienced by the nurses who worked on shift schedule and those who worked during normal hours.The most frequently adopted coping strategy was Type III (reactive role behaviour) strategy. This entails organising well and working hard to meet all the role demands expected of them. The next strategy which was regularly used in managing the work-family conflict was the Type II (personal role redefinition) which involves changing their own attitudes and perceptions of role expectations. Type I structural role redefinition which involves an active attempt to deal directly with role senders and lessen the conflict by mutual agreement on a new set of expectations was found to be the least popular coping strategy

Preparedness of Malaysian pre-school educators for environmental education

The shaping of attitude and values, commitment and skills needed to preserve and protect the environment of individuals begins at an early age. Hence educators especially pre-school teachers play an influential role in developing new patterns of behaviors of the young to adopt a sustainable lifestyle. A study was conducted to assess the level of preparedness of the pre-school teachers in Malaysia with respect to their degree of concern for environmental issues, comprehension of fundamental environmental knowledge, and level of adoption of sustainability practices. A cross-sectional research design utilizing survey method was conducted among 300 pre-school teachers representing three different types of pre-schools in Malaysia. Data indicated that the respondents were aware of various basic environmental problems faced by the country but less of the advanced environmental issues. They were found to be more concerned regarding other social problems as compared to environmental ones and adoption of sustainable consumption practices of respondents was modest. Comprehension on fundamental concepts of environment and sustainability needs to be enhanced further through formal training as the main source of environmental knowledge was acquired through the mass media. The study shows that it is imperative for various stakeholders, in particular the Ministry of Education, to develop suitable environmental education syllabus for pre-school teachers training and in-service training programs in order to enhance their preparedness for environmental education

Factors affecting the willingness to pay for renewable energy amongst Eastern Malaysian households: a case study

Energy choices that are made today will greatly influence the climate of tomorrow. In addition to reducing emission of greenhouse gases, renewable energy sources will also enhance future energy security. In this vein, a study utilizing a cross-sectional research design was conducted to examine the factors affecting the willingness to pay for renewable energy (RE) among households in Malaysia. A self-administered questionnaire was used as a tool for data collection. The mean age of the respondents was 42 years, with both genders equally represented. The results indicated that that majority of the respondents were concerned about the environment and showed a positive attitude towards it. Nonetheless, there were differences in the levels of awareness and knowledge with respect to different types of RE. Age and RE awareness were found to have significant relationships with the willingness to pay for renewable energy. The results also indicated that higher educated consumers were more willing to pay for renewable energy, whereas no gender differences were observed. Strengthening support and ultimately adoption of RE products and services have to be intensified as the willingness to pay for RE by the respondents was found to be modest

Management of inquiries into disasters : experts views and perspectives.

In most democratic countries, inquiries are conducted into major accidents. One of the main functions of inquiries into disasters is to establish the causes and to learn lessons from them so as to prevent a recurrence. However, previous studies showed that the learning aspect is often curtailed because of the inadequate guides to the conduct and procedures of inquiry management. A study was conducted to determine the disaster experts’ views and perspectives on management of disaster inquiries

Factors influencing purchase intention of organic meat among consumers in Klang Valley, Malaysia

Multitude of factors such as concern for use of growth hormones, chemical additives in feed, animal welfare, human health issues and environmental impacts have led to the steady increase in the consumption of organic meat worldwide. The purpose of the study was to investigate the factors that influence the purchase intention towards organic meat based on the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) and organic meat choice motives. The influence of attitude, subjective norm, perceived behavioral control, safety, meat characteristic, health concern and price on the intention to purchase organic meat was analyzed. The study utilized cross-sectional research design using survey method. A total of 400 consumers responded to the survey using mall-intercept, with both genders equally represented and had an average age of 35 years. Results showed that the respondents seemed to be very concern about food safety (m=4.06) and meat characteristics (m=4.04) as compared to health (m=3.70) and price (m=3.36) was not a strong motivating factor (m=3.35). The level of attitude towards organic meat, subjective norm and perceived behavioral control was at moderate level. The findings showed that perceived behavioral control and personal norm towards organic meat of TPB and price and meat characteristic of the choice motives could explain 66.4 percent of the variance in the intention to purchase organic meat. As intention to purchase is an important indicator of future organic meat consumption, policy makers and marketers may draw on these results when attempting to promote and enhance acceptance of organic meat among the consumers

Development of socio-technical disaster model

Using a grounded theory approach, six public inquiry reports were utilized to identify the phases associated with the development of socio-technical disasters. Despite the differences of disasters involved and their technologies, the disasters were found to exhibit common features and characteristics. The findings demonstrated that socio-technical disasters are not sudden cataclysmic events but they evolved in phases with long developmental period. A model of the sequential development of socio-technical disaster is proposed as consisting of ten phases namely operation, incubation, forewarning, activation, onset, rescue and recovery, inquiry and reporting, feedback, social justice, and social and legislation reform. This model reaffirms and advances developmental theory of disasters

Community preparedness for tsunami disaster: a case study

Purpose: The main objective of this study is to develop a tsunami emergency response plan for a coastal community by adopting a community‐based disaster preparedness approach. Design/methodology/approach: A multi‐strategy research design utilizing both quantitative and qualitative methods was used. The weaknesses and strengths of the different agencies involved in responding to the 2004 tsunami disaster were identified through a focus group discussion. A survey was used to assess the preparedness of the community. Tsunami awareness and education were imparted through lectures, sermons, radio talk shows, informal briefings, workshops and printed materials. Tsunami evacuation routes, safe zones, warning protocols and evacuation plans were finalized through a consultation process with the community. A tsunami evacuation plan was verified during a table‐top exercise and was tested through a drill. Findings: It is evident from the study that a community‐based approach (where the local community is taken as the primary focus of attention in disaster reduction) to tsunami mitigation and preparedness is viable. This process has provided an opportunity for tapping traditional organizational structures and mechanisms (including formal and informal community leaders) and capability‐building activities with the community disaster committees and volunteers. Originality/value: Tsunami 2004 is the first ever tsunami disaster experienced in the country and thus the study provides significant lessons learned from the event. The community‐based approach to disaster preparedness is not the current practice in the country. Thus, the study demonstrates that the approach is a viable tool to enhance community preparedness to tsunami and other types of disasters as well

Predictors of technical adoption and behavioural change to transport energy-saving measures in response to climate change

Energy conservation can be achieved through the adoption of technical measures or the changing of one's behaviour. A survey of 201 Malaysian public personnel was conducted to examine the predictors of these two types of transport energy-saving measures in response to climate change. The results indicated that there were significant differences in the relative acceptability of both behavioural measures with respect to gender, level of education, income, knowledge of climate change and attitude. Gender, knowledge of causes of climate change and personal norm were predictors for the acceptability of technical measures, while perceived efficacy and personal norm were the factors that influenced the acceptability of behavioural measures. The results also indicated that distinctions ought to be made between technology adoption and behaviour modifications that require lifestyle changes when assessing pro-environmental intent behaviour. The implications for theory and practice are discussed