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    Food risk in consumers' eye and their consumption responses: evidence from Hanoi survey
    (Emerald Publishing Limited, 2021-06-08) Ha TM; Shakur S; Pham Do KH
    Purpose This paper analyses Hanoi consumers' evaluation of food risk and response to the perceived risk. Design/methodology/approach The authors employed the mixed method approach that integrates segmentation analysis on the survey data and information from group discussions. Findings Based on consumers' risk rating of six food groups and level of food safety worry, the authors identified four distinct consumer segments: low, moderate, high and very-high-risk perception. The authors found the existence of widespread food safety concerns among Hanoi consumers. Living in an urban region was associated with a higher level of food risk perception. Moderate, high and very-high-risk perception segments exhibited a very low level of institutional trust and subjective control over hazards. Response to the perceived risk differed across segments. “Very high-risk perception” was associated with the most risk-averse behaviour, putting more effort into seeking food safety information and engaging more in supermarket purchase. Consumers with a low and moderate perceived food risk participate more in self-supply of food to reduce their food safety concern. Practical implications The paper provides empirical evidence on consumers' evaluation of food risk and their risk-reducing strategies to support the risk communication in Vietnam. Social implications Enhancing institutional trust and risk communication including hazard education can improve consumer confidence in food. Originality/value This is the first segmentation study on consumer food risk perception in Vietnam.
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    Risk identification and allocation in public-private partnerships : a New Zealand perspective : a thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Construction Management, Massey University, Auckland, New Zealand
    (Massey University, 2024-06-13) Rasheed, Nasir
    Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) have become a prevalent solution for funding infrastructure projects amid declining public reserves. Despite their widespread adoption, not all PPP projects prove successful, often due to inadequate risk management. Recognizing the expertise of the private sector, including the New Zealand government, PPPs are increasingly utilized. However, there is a scarcity of specific research on PPPs in the local context, particularly in social infrastructure using the Design-Build-Finance-Maintain-Operate (DBFMO) delivery method. This thesis aims to address this gap by establishing a framework for improving risk management outcomes in New Zealand's PPP infrastructure projects, focusing on critical success factors, empirical investigations into risk identification, and the development and validation of a Fuzzy based risk allocation model to inform stakeholders' decisions. This research employed two distinct questionnaire surveys targeting industry experts from both public and private sectors, all possessing relevant experience in the local industry and PPP procurement. Given the absence of a precise population, a combination of convenience and judgment sampling, was utilized. A total of 43 and 58 PPP experts provided valid responses to two questionnaires. The sample size was considered appropriate, especially considering the relatively recent adoption of PPP in New Zealand. Additionally, comparisons were made with similar studies that employed questionnaire surveys to ensure validity. The collected data underwent various statistical analyses, including mean score analysis, Cronbach's alpha reliability analysis, independent sample t-test, and factor analysis. Subsequently, the fuzzy synthetic evaluation (FSE) method was applied to model risk allocation. In addition, the study included a set of semi-structured interviews to provide a practical and policy-making context for the research. Critical success factor rankings established through mean scores revealed approval and negotiation process, innovation and project complexity, client’s brief, project’s technical feasibility and strong private consortium to be five top ranked factors out of the 27 identified. Similarly, the top three risk allocation criteria (RAC) having very high importance (mean score greater than 4 on a scale of 5) were risk foresight, response to risk and minimise risk loss. Furthermore, factor analysis showed that the 9 identified RAC can be classified into three component groups namely risk management expertise, core risk management capability and risk management strategy. Recognizing the importance of principle of risk allocation, the proposed fuzzy based risk allocation model took into account the risk management capability of public and private sector. FSE was chosen for its adeptness in handling intricate multi-faceted challenges, particularly in the context of risk distribution decisions that involve the inherent vagueness within human cognitive processes. Due to their contentious nature in literature and different PPP projects, 16 risk were carefully chosen to be allocated via the model from a list of 35 risks initially identified. The findings indicate that for 12 of the risks, the distribution proportions between the government and the private sector are comparable. Risks associated with land acquisition and public opposition are predominantly assigned to the public sector, while risks linked to unforeseen geotechnical conditions and financing are predominantly allotted to the private sector. The results were validated using six interviews with highly experienced professionals within the New Zealand PPP scene. The outcomes of this study are anticipated to guide policymakers in formulating effective strategies for assigning risks and devising well-balanced risk sharing arrangements within PPP contracts, to achieve outcomes mutually agreeable to both the public and private sectors, ultimately enhancing the uptake of PPP projects.
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    Tsunami awareness and preparedness in Aotearoa New Zealand: The evolution of community understanding
    (Elsevier Ltd, 2021-11-01) Dhellemmes A; Leonard GS; Johnston DM; Vinnell LJ; Becker JS; Fraser SA; Paton D
    After catastrophic events such as the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami and the 2011 Great East Japan earthquake and tsunami there is a clear need for vulnerable countries like Aotearoa New Zealand to get prepared for tsunami. In the last ten years, the New Zealand government initiated major efforts to raise awareness of tsunami risk among coastal residents. This study explores tsunami awareness, preparedness, and evacuation intentions among residents of the East Coast of the North Island in a 2015 survey. The ten chosen locations also participated in a tsunami survey in 2003, with results demonstrating that tsunami awareness rose in the twelve years between the surveys. The 2015 survey also included questions on preparedness and intended action. Even though coastal residents know they live in a tsunami prone area, preparedness is relatively low and high expectations of a formal warning remain, even for a local source tsunami scenario. Furthermore, survey respondents had unrealistic ideas of evacuation procedures. When asked about their evacuation intentions, respondents intended to undertake a number of different actions before evacuating their homes, which could cause significant delays in the evacuation process. Most respondents were also reluctant to evacuate on foot and prefer using their vehicles instead, which could create dangerous traffic congestion. These surveyed intentions are consistent with a study of actual evacuation behaviours in the subsequent 2016 Kaikōura earthquake and tsunami, providing validation for the survey indicators. This paper identifies the procedures least understood by the public and offers some solutions to improve tsunami preparedness.
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    Perceived risk, risk tolerance and trust in debt decisions : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Finance at Massey University, Manawatu, New Zealand
    (Massey University, 2020) Phung, Trang Thai Minh
    The perceived risk of stock investment, risk tolerance and trust play important roles in the stock market and in use of debt for stock investment, yet the relationship between these has received little attention. This thesis examines these direct and indirect relationships using three independent essays using structural equation modelling as the main technique. Vietnam is used as an illustrative example, as the use of informal borrowing is common. This thesis surveyed 420 Vietnamese individual investors and found the following results. Essay One finds that the perceived risk is positively associated with borrowing sources and the use of informal debt. Leverage risk and opportunity risk also directly relate to borrowing sources. Borrowing sources is positively related to perceived risk and debt decisions. Perceived risk is a mediator between borrowing sources and informal debt, and borrowing sources act as a mediator between perceived risk and debt decisions. The results of Essay Two show that risk tolerance has a direct relationship to the use of financial leverage, while investment horizons are related to the use of informal debt. Risk tolerance positively relates to the use of informal debt and mediates between investment horizons and debt decisions among stockbrokers. In Essay Three, the results reveal that there is a significantly positive relationship between trust in the stock market, and trading frequency and the use of informal debt. Trust in stockbrokers and brokerage firms are directly related to the use of informal debt. Trading frequency is also positively associated with trust in the stock market and the use of financial leverage. Trust is a mediator between trading frequency and informal debt, and trading frequency acts as a mediator between trust and financial leverage. Findings from this thesis will help provide useful insights into investors’ behaviour and its impact on debt decisions for stock investment amongst individual investors, users and non-users of informal and formal borrowing, stockbrokers and non-stockbrokers, male and female investors in the Vietnam stock market and other stock markets.
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    Consumer perception and behavior toward food safety risk in Vietnam : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Economics at Massey University, Manawatu Campus New Zealand
    (Massey University, 2020) Ha, Thi Thanh Mai
    Perception of food safety risk is heightened in Vietnam. The main objective of this thesis is to gain an understanding of consumer perception of food safety risk and the relationship between risk perception and behaviour toward food safety risk in Vietnam. The thesis used the primary data that comes from our survey of 498 consumers and group discussions. Data were collected during 2017 in Hanoi, Vietnam. Results from Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) analysis confirmed that extensive media coverage of food safety scandals decreased trust in institutions and heightened risk perception of common food and risk perception of hazards directly. Negative food safety information indirectly amplified perception of food safety risk in general. Using the mixed method, we found that risk perception was shaped by the fear of hazards, risk perceived from common foods, and food risk information. This finding was supported by those generated from SEM. Region was the most important determinant of risk perception, where urban consumers perceived a higher food safety risk than their rural counterparts. Applying Principle Component Analysis and ordered logit regression, we found differences and similarities in the determinants of vegetable risk perception between the rural and urban regions. The Kruskal-Wallis test shows that higher risk perception was associated with a larger decline in vegetable consumption. To reduce the perceived risk, consumers avoided eating vegetables that were believed to be unsafe and switched to safer ones. We used the contingent valuation method to predict the willingness to pay (WTP) for organic vegetables. Results show that the WTP of urban consumers was higher than that of rural respondents. Perceived values of organic food, trust in organic labels, and income increased the WTP across the regions. Growing own vegetables reduced the WTP in the rural region only. Our findings suggest that regional differences need to be considered when designing risk communication and food safety policy. Urban farming should be encouraged as a mean to reduce food safety concerns in cities.
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    Perceptions of climate change and climate change policies within the tourism sector in Mauritius : a thesis prepared in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Environmental Management at Massey University, New Zealand
    (Massey University, 2016) Dhoomun, Lovisha
    Tourism in small island developing states (SIDS) is particularly vulnerable to climate change. The phenomenon is predicted to reduce the demand for Tourism in SIDS as temperatures at these destinations become uncomfortably Hot and temperate destinations close to tourists’ countries of origin become More appealing. Climate change is also expected to have significant economic Implications for the tourism industry in island nations due to sea level rise, Storm surges and more intense cyclones which can damage coastal Infrastructure, disrupt tourism operations, contribute to environmental Degradation and create a less attractive image of the destination. These Impacts may be reduced through a planned adaptation approach which is guided by national policies and mediated by authorities. However, the complex and uncertain nature of climate change requires more than only expert opinions to ensure that implemented policies are effective. Tourism is the most important export-oriented economic activity in Mauritius. However, rapid tourism development has led to environmental degradation in coastal areas. Climate change is predicted to exacerbate these conditions and further deteriorate the environmental attributes on which tourism depends. This research examines the climate change risk perceptions among stakeholders within the tourism sector in Mauritius. It also explores their perceptions of the public policies which guide the management of climate change impacts, their policy preferences and the factors which they view as barriers to an effective approach to climate change. A conceptual framework based on the literature on risk perceptions was developed to guide this research and a mixed method approach comprising a self-administered survey and semistructured interviews was adopted for data collection. Information was gathered regarding stakeholders’ level of concern about climate change, their past experience of climate change impacts, sources of information, levels of trust in institutional responses, and their preferred approach to managing climate change impacts. Results revealed that climate change is perceived as representing significant risks for Mauritius, both for the participants on a personal level and for the tourism industry. Climate change is viewed as a phenomenon which leads to unpredictable and potentially fatal consequences, and therefore, as having high catastrophic potential. Past experience and a lack of confidence in government institutions’ capacity to successfully manage the impacts strongly influenced these perceptions. Stakeholders’ preferred policy options included education, raising awareness, stricter regulations for environmental conservation and mitigation of greenhouse emissions. The majority of participants demonstrated a lack of awareness of the importance of adaptation in Mauritius, and therefore viewed the current institutional approach, which appropriately focuses on adaptation, as being inadequate or insufficient. It is recommended that communication among tourism stakeholders is strengthened and information about adaptation is disseminated to stakeholders through sources perceived as being credible. Keywords: climate change, tourism, risk perceptions, policy, Small Island Developing States, Mauritius.
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    Exploring the effect of group polarisation on perceived invulnerability in general aviation pilots : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Aviation at Massey University
    (Massey University, 2008) Lee, Seung Yong
    Although both perceived invulnerability and group polarisation are well known psychological phenomena, there has not been any research conducted to examine the effect of group polarisation on the level of perceived invulnerability amongst general aviation pilots. Two studies were conducted to measure the level of perceived invulnerability amongst general aviation pilots and to test whether the level of perceived invulnerability was affected due to group polarisation. The first study tested 34 pilots. Although the majority of the pilots exhibited perceived invulnerability, there was no evidence suggesting that low level group interaction induced group polarisation leading to an increase in individual's level of perceived invulnerability. The second study examined 78 pilots. Although the majority of the participants displayed perceived invulnerability, there was no evidence suggesting that high level group interaction resulted in group polarisation leading to an increase in individual's level of perceived invulnerability. There was no evidence that the two experimental manipulations (low group interaction and high group interaction) differed in effectiveness, as the effect size between studies I and II did not significantly differ. Although it is of some concern to general aviation safety that the majority of the pilots in both studies exhibited perceived invulnerability, the level of perceived invulnerability does not appear to be increased by a group polarisation effect. The latter finding is consistent with safe operations, having found no evidence that multi-crew operations lead to increased levels of perceived invulnerability. In addition to the implication of the current findings, limitations of the present study, possible areas for further research and recommendations are presented.
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    Pilot situation awareness of commercial aircraft flight management systems : thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Aviation at Massey University
    (Massey University, 2000) Smith, Regan Matthew
    Complex, dynamic domains present an individual with a challenging operational environment. To be able operate effectively and achieve a desired goal, an individual must understand what is taking place in the surrounding situation. This task can become very demanding when the status of many elements in the situation may be continually changing simultaneously. The awareness and individual possesses of this situation is recognised as a fundamental prerequisite to achieve consistent proficient performance, and is the focus of this study. Specifically, this study set out to evaluate the Situational Awareness (SA) that experienced commercial pilots possess of aircraft Flight Management Systems (FMS). To achieve this objective the Situation Awareness Global Assessment Technique (SAGAT), developed by Endsley (1995a), was adapted to the commercial FMS cockpit environment. This required development of a query database and design of an administration technique suitable for use in this study. The increasing use of automation in the aircraft cockpit has produced some stunning improvements in operational efficiency. However, the increasing complexity of aircraft management systems has exposed problems associated with the operator-automation interface. Current FMS have evolved through the integration of several separate aircraft flight control systems to provide the pilot with a capable semi-autonomous flight management tool. While the introduction of these tools has helped to improve safety, they have also introduced some unexpected operational consequences. One of these consequences is the tendency for flight-crews to experience automation surprises. Such events occur when the automation's behaviour violates the operator's expectation, and are usually the result of an inconsistency between the operator's understanding of the system and the actual status of the system. In essence, automation surprises arise when the operator has poor SA of the system with which they are working. Due to the limited number of evaluations that were completed during this study no conclusive findings could be made. Despite this, the data revealed that the automation appeared to dominate the participant's attention and, that relevant flight instructor experience could have beneficial effects on SA related knowledge. Attempts were also made to determine if there was any correlation between SA and psychological motivation. However, in isolation the results from these tests did not show any promising relationship. Despite this, the prospect that psychological state might influence SA cannot be eliminated due to a lack of data available from the present evaluation. Furthermore, one of the participants displayed very different motivation results that could imply that a combination of motivational states might have an affect on an individual's SA.