Developing an event safety risk typology : a qualitative study of risk perception amongst event planners and venue managers in Malaysia

Abstract

This study explored the significance of risk and safety and the need for proper operating procedures in identifying the link between the types and categories of event safety related risks from the perception of event planners and venue managers within the event management industry in Malaysia. Event management is an emerging profession in need of methodical tools to ensure the success and safety of all stakeholders within this field. Despite a plethora of literature confirming that risk and safety is fundamental in event planning and management, a thorough literature review has exposed the insuffiency of research within general risk and safety management areas and, more specifically, the lack of research relating to event risk management and safety. This empirical investigation started by exploring the concept of risk and risk perception and adapts this approach in the field of event management. This has been taken in order to investigate the perceptions of event/venue managers in Malaysia towards risks and safety issues in planning and managing events. Due to the lack of empirical studies in this area, a qualitative exploratory case study approach using semi-structured interviews has been conducted aiming at exploring the importance of this topic, and identifying (and justifying) several important themes within the research context. The sample participants were recruited based on purposive and snowballing sampling technique comprising 33 event/venue managers from various event related organisations in Malaysia. The data were analysed using both inductive and deductive approaches by adopting a typology outlined in the literature. A pragmatic approach of thematic analysis focusing on identifiable themes and patterns of living and/or behaviour has been adopted. A post positivist paradigm with the use of a reflexive approach in analysing data in that the researcher became an important instrument of analysis for the research. The findings identify seven major themes focusing on important types of risks associated with the safety of event employees and event attendees from a Malaysian perspective. These safety risk categories known as: crowd safety and crowd control; technical and logistics hazards; alcohol-related risks; security risks and issues; environmental health and safety; financial risks and insurances and; emergency services. Thus, this research attempts to enhance the current understanding of Malaysian event risk management practice by proposing a generic typology focusing on important risk factors based on a Malaysian perspective. The empirical outcome in the form of an event safety risk typology answered the need for an analytical tool in order to improve the management of risk and safety within the event management domain, and also provided an avenue for further research within this emerging field.