Risk Perception Research Articles

The energy crossroads: Exploring the moderating role of the energy crisis on the acceptance of the development of a uranium mine

The energy crisis caused by the lack of supply from some countries involved in armed conflicts, coupled with society’s continuous demand for energy production, is leading to the proposal of new energy sources, such as the development of uranium mines to increase nuclear energy production. Mine projects (MPs) trigger numerous conflicts in the local societies involved. While for some people, they represent an opportunity for development and benefits, for others these proposals are perceived as a threat and a health risk. However, energy scarcity and price increases create a social dilemma that moderates the established relationships between the perceived risks and benefits and the valuation of energy proposals. This research aims to analyze both the weight of the factors influencing the acceptance of a uranium MP and the moderating role of the energy crisis on these factors. A total of 629 people participated in this study (371 before and 258 after the energy crisis). The participants answered a questionnaire assessing their socio-demographic characteristics, beliefs about the environment, the perceived risks and benefits, and their emotional balance, as well as their level of knowledge and acceptance of the uranium mine proposal. The results show that age, gender, and level of education and knowledge both directly and indirectly influence the acceptance of a mine. In addition, the perception of risks and benefits is associated with the emotional balance generated, explaining the level of final acceptance of the proposal. The moderation-mediated energy crisis hypothesis influences the relationship between the perceived risks and acceptance of the uranium mine. The results are discussed in order to determine factors for intervention to alleviate the social conflicts created by new energy proposals.

The relationship between public risk preference and the underuse or overuse of preventive health services in the information age

The underuse or overuse of preventive health services by individuals is an outward behavioural reflection of their attitude towards disease risk, and they are strongly influenced by their information-acquisition ability. Therefore, we try to explore the relationship among the public risk preference, information-acquisition ability and underuse or overuse of preventive health services, in order to provide decision-making basis in the Information Age. The survey surveyed 2,211 respondents aged ≥ 18 in China from September to December 2019. Taking cancer screening as an example, the multiple price list (MPL) test and item response theory (IRT) model were used to measure individual risk preference and information-acquisition ability. The Logit model and Tobit model were used to estimate the relationship between risk preference, information-acquisition ability and underuse or overuse of preventive health services. Risk-seeking individuals were more likely to underuse preventive health services, while risk-averse individuals were more likely to overuse such services. Information-acquisition ability may improve the underuse of preventive health services in risk-seeking individuals but exacerbate the overuse of preventive health services in risk-averse individuals. Among the investigated information channels, the Internet is the most effective way for the public to obtain information. It is necessary to change the public’s incorrect perception of disease risks and risks associated with preventive health services. In the rapid development of the Information Age, improving public information-acquisition ability is a practicable way to correct the negative relationship between risk preference and individuals’ underuse or overuse of preventive health services

Measurement for Risk Perception Ability

Measurement for Risk Perception Ability

Impact of financial markets on clean energy investment: A comparative analysis of the United States and Nigeria

This comparative analysis explores the impact of financial markets on clean energy investment in two distinct contexts: the United States and Nigeria. As the world increasingly seeks sustainable energy solutions to combat climate change, understanding the dynamics of financial markets and their influence on clean energy investment becomes crucial. Through a comparative lens, this study examines the differences and similarities in the financial landscapes of these two countries and evaluates how these factors shape investment patterns in clean energy. The United States represents a developed economy with well-established financial markets and robust investment infrastructure, while Nigeria serves as a case study of an emerging market grappling with developmental challenges and evolving financial systems. By analyzing data on investment flows, regulatory frameworks, and market conditions, this study aims to provide insights into the role of financial markets in driving or hindering clean energy investment. Factors such as access to capital, government policies, risk perception, and investor preferences will be examined to understand their impact on investment decisions in the clean energy sector. Additionally, the study will explore the role of international financing mechanisms and the influence of global trends on clean energy investment in both countries. By comparing the experiences of the United States and Nigeria, this research seeks to identify best practices and lessons learned that can inform policies aimed at promoting clean energy investment in diverse economic contexts. Ultimately, the findings of this study aim to contribute to the development of strategies that enhance the role of financial markets in accelerating the transition towards a sustainable energy future, while addressing the unique challenges and opportunities faced by different countries in this endeavor.

Work-Related Hazards and Perceived Confined-Space Health Risk : Understanding the Correlation with Mental Workload Among Farmers in Northern Thailand’s Shallow Wells

ABSTRACT Objectives This study examined factors related to perceived health risks in confined spaces (PCSHR) and their correlation with the mental workload among farmers managing agricultural wells in northern Thailand. Methods A cross-sectional, multi-stage sample of 356 farmers was selected from four rural districts’ agricultural areas. Data were collected through interviews conducted from August to December 2022, using a self-administered structured questionnaire. The five-part questionnaire gathered demographic data, information on experiences and operations in agricultural wells, knowledge of confined spaces, PCSHR, and the six-dimension NASA Task Load Index (TLX) mental workload. Linear regression and multi-variable analyses were used to investigate factors associated with PCSHR, while Pearson correlations tested the association between PCSHR and mental workload variables. Results Most farmers were male (92.4%), worked in wells to install pumping systems (81.7%) and maintain equipment (73.3%), averaging 3.80 times per year, with an average duration of 25.81 minutes. Physical symptoms reported included difficulty breathing (72.8%), feeling swelteringly hot (55.9%), and sweating excessively (27.8%), as well as accidents such as being struck by falling soil or objects (20.2%), and falling into the well while climbing down (14.9%). Farmers’ perceived risk scores were high when working while physically exhausted or unprepared and when assisting an unconscious worker without knowing the gas concentration. In addition, the maximal mental workload scores were mental demand and effort subscale. Factors significantly associated with PCSHR (adj.R 2  = 60.6%, p < .05) encompassed education higher than lower secondary level, current alcohol consumption, smaller well width, assisted operations, number of physical symptoms experienced, absence of environmental accidents, and confined space knowledge, while increased PCSHR was positively associated with mental workload (Overall r = 0.711, p < .01). Conclusion Comprehensive education about potential hazards can improve farmers’ risk perception, potentially reducing mental workload and preventing fatal accidents. Field studies are recommended to develop community-specific work protocols and accurate measuring instruments suitable for rural settings are needed.

Green buffers near industrial plants, examples in Jefferson County TX

AbstractGreen buffers between industrial plants and residential areas have multiple purposes in mitigating air pollution and protecting the environment. This study focuses on providing information on examples of green space development by industries near residential areas in Jefferson County, Texas. One represents a full buffer where residences were totally removed, another is a partial buffer where some residences were removed in a neighborhood and the third represents vegetation of a formerly industrial facility. Additional estimates on benefits of buffer spaces with respect to a pollutant plume are also considered. The study used geospatial and property data from 1966 to 2020. The transition from a residential area to a full or partial buffers highlights possible mitigation of air pollution impacts while serving additional functions, such as boosting stormwater infiltration and improving the aesthetic attractiveness of the area. The transformation from oil tanks to forested space may display the potential for environmental remediation, but not all spaces are suitable for fully forested buffers, as safety and other limitations should be considered. With the analysis of the classic Plume Equation insights can be provided regarding the possible impact of green buffers on ground-level pollutant concentrations. The calculations for atmospheric stability classes A-F and for various stack heights provide an understanding of how different conditions may affect the pollutant concentrations. The presence of a green buffer can play a crucial role in controlling ground-level pollution concentrations and reduce a community’s perception of risk.

The Impact of Cryptocurrency Investor Risk Perception and Awareness on the Current Uses and Future Projections of Cryptocurrencies: A Research on Istanbul Provincial Health Directorate Employees

This study investigates cryptocurrency knowledge, risk perception, and investment strategies among İstanbul Provincial Health Directorate employees. Analyzing data from 399 participants using the Cryptocurrency investment Trust Scale, which is developed by Ozyesil and Tembelo (2023), results indicate limited cryptocurrency awareness, moderate risk perception, and conservative investment tendencies. While most participants have heard of cryptocurrency, their understanding remains shalloyv, perceiving it as high-risk and favoring traditional financial instruments. The study emphasizes the necessity of educational initiatives and regulatory frameworks to facilitate safe and compliant cryptocurrency usage within the healthcare sector.

Audience engagement in outrage factors embedded in COVID‐19 news: A content analysis of South Korean news articles and reader comments

AbstractThe risk perception of lay people is believed to be guided by qualitative characteristics of risk they perceive. Outrage factors refer to perceived characteristics of risk that arouse emotional responses and thereby influence risk perception. Conducting a content analysis of coronavirus disease 2019 online news coverage, we identified outrage factors embedded in news stories to determine how those factors are associated with audience engagement, measured by counting news consumer comments and clicks on emotional expressions on each news story. As a result, the average outrage score for a news story was significantly associated with the number of clicks on emotional expressions and comments. When it comes to individual outrage factors, a news story covering a case of violation against social distancing or other governmental guidelines was found to be accompanied by more comments and more emotional expressions, indicating the strongest power of moral nature. The outrage factor of voluntariness, human origin, accident history and controllability were also associated with one or both types of the audience responses. The news stories of business owners who involuntarily shut down their businesses or those comparing the current pandemic to Middle East respiratory syndrome that broke out in 2015 in the nation showed a similar pattern of audience engagement. Furthermore, liberal media were more likely to convey outrage factors than media with a less liberal orientation, which was manifested in the outrage score for each story. We discuss the potential of outrage factors as a new content‐based factor for audience engagement in online risk communication.

Risk of desirable user experiences: insights from those who create, facilitate and accept mobile payments

AbstractIncorporating fluency theory into a user experience design framework, this study utilises design considerations, drawing on complementary angles of the two theoretical domains, as a foundation with the ultimate goal of creating beneficial mobile payment experiences. An exploratory approach is deployed through semi-structured interviews to provide insights into experience design considerations utilising sensory elements and risk perception, a combination which has thus far received little attention. Research participants consist of senior managers that work for companies that create, facilitate, or accept mobile payment apps or processes. A conceptual framework is proposed with design as a starting point, including aesthetics and the need for a simplified experience, along with sensory elements that replicate familiar visual, audio, and haptic stimuli. These lead to a more usable experience that is perceived as easy to use through a frictionless experience. Usefulness is increased as exposure increases, and new app or process features can be added once prior features become familiar through repeated use. Key trade-offs include a simplified experience versus feature-rich experience, and frictionless experiences versus security risks, with key practical suggestions on how these can be approached.

Bibliometric Analysis of the Term “Entrepreneurial Motivation”

&#x0D; This study presents a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of the term "Entrepreneurial Motivation," reflecting the extensive scholarly interest in the determinants that incite individuals to undertake entrepreneurial endeavors. Utilizing a dataset from reputable databases such as Scopus, this research elucidates the evolution of entrepreneurial motivation as a concept and its significance in the entrepreneurship literature. We investigate key thematic clusters, seminal works, influential authors, and collaboration patterns in the field. Additionally, we explore publication trends in leading journals and identify research lacunae and emerging trends that signal future scholarly directions. Our findings indicate a robust engagement with factors such as educational background, personal traits, and socio-economic impacts, including the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on entrepreneurial activity. The study also highlights potential new avenues for research in areas that have yet to become prominent within the existing literature, such as the role of risk perception, necessity entrepreneurship, passion, and social responsibility in shaping entrepreneurial motivation. This analysis provides a detailed landscape of the field, contributing to a more nuanced understanding of the dynamic forces that foster and sustain entrepreneurial motivation in an ever-evolving global economy.&#x0D;

Psychosocial factors associated with overdose subsequent to Illicit Drug use: a systematic review and narrative synthesis.

Psychological and social status, and environmental context, may mediate the likelihood of experiencing overdose subsequent to illicit drug use. The aim of this systematic review was to identify and synthesise psychosocial factors associated with overdose among people who use drugs. This review was registered on Prospero (CRD42021242495). Systematic record searches were undertaken in databases of peer-reviewed literature (Medline, Embase, PsycINFO, and Cinahl) and grey literature sources (Google Scholar) for work published up to and including 14 February 2023. Reference lists of selected full-text papers were searched for additional records. Studies were eligible if they included people who use drugs with a focus on relationships between psychosocial factors and overdose subsequent to illicit drug use. Results were tabulated and narratively synthesised. Twenty-six studies were included in the review, with 150,625 participants: of those 3,383-4072 (3%) experienced overdose. Twenty-one (81%) studies were conducted in North America and 23 (89%) reported polydrug use. Psychosocial factors associated with risk of overdose (n = 103) were identified and thematically organised into ten groups. These were: income; housing instability; incarceration; traumatic experiences; overdose risk perception and past experience; healthcare experiences; perception of own drug use and injecting skills; injecting setting; conditions with physical environment; and social network traits. Global rates of overdose continue to increase, and many guidelines recommend psychosocial interventions for dependent drug use. The factors identified here provide useful targets for practitioners to focus on at the individual level, but many identified will require wider policy changes to affect positive change. Future research should seek to develop and trial interventions targeting factors identified, whilst advocacy for key policy reforms to reduce harm must continue.

An empirical analysis of the antecedents and barriers to adopting robo-advisors for investment management among Indian investors

ABSTRACT This study aims to provide a research framework to understand the antecedents and barriers to adopting Robo-advisors for investment decision-making in India. The study employed a research model based on the extended UTAUT– 2, along with three additional constructs, i.e. personal innovativeness (PI), perceived risk (PR), and technological anxiety (TA). Data collected were analysed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) with the help of SmartPLS 4.0 software. This research will help banks, wealth management service providers, FinTech companies, and Robo-advisor developers improve their platforms, offers, products, and marketing tactics for these automated advisory services.

The Interplay of Climate and Disaster in Men's Stories of the 2016 Kaikōura Earthquake in Aotearoa New Zealand1

This paper contributes to the emerging field of men, masculinities, and disasters by drawing on narratives of men's accounts of the 2016 Kaikōura earthquake, including how stories of the earthquake intersect with experiences and understandings of extreme weather and climate change. A qualitative methodology was employed, and semi‐structured interviews were conducted with 19 men who experienced the 7.8 magnitude earthquake. This article offers an examination of the complexity of disaster experiences and recovery, as well as how people make sense of hazards and risks. We argue that ongoing exposure to climate hazards informed participant's responses to other infrequent natural hazard events, such as the Kaikōura earthquake. The research identified that men construct their own understandings and responses to natural hazards through a hierarchy of risk perception and probability based on personal experience.

The influence of culture on the entrepreneurial behavior of women: A Review Paper

The rise of female entrepreneurs is a significant development, as they play a crucial role in driving economic growth. This is especially important in developing countries like Nepal, where it can also help to reduce unemployment. However, many women entrepreneurs need help with their cultural environment when starting or managing their businesses. This paper explores the multifaceted impact of culture on the entrepreneurial behavior of women. Entrepreneurship is a dynamic and complex phenomenon influenced by various factors, and cultural context plays a crucial role in shaping an individual’s attitudes, motivations, and decisions. The study focuses specifically on how cultural dimensions such as societal norms, gender roles, and cultural values interact to shape women’s entrepreneurial behavior. The research methodology involves a comprehensive review of the existing 50 articles on women's entrepreneurship and their sociocultural intervention on the behavior of women entrepreneurs. The findings reveal that cultural factors significantly influence women’s entrepreneurial intentions, risk perceptions, and business strategies. Societal expectations and gender norms can either facilitate or hinder women’s entry into entrepreneurship, affecting their confidence, risk-taking propensity, and access to resources. Moreover, cultural values such as collectivism or individualism impact networking patterns, collaboration tendencies, and leadership styles among women entrepreneurs.

Analysis of the Interaction between Humans and Autonomous Vehicles Equipped with External Human–Machine Interfaces: The Effect of an Experimental Reward Mechanism on Pedestrian Crossing Behavior in a Virtual Environment

The advent of autonomous vehicles (AVs) has sparked many concerns about pedestrian safety, prompting manufacturers and researchers to integrate external Human–Machine Interfaces (eHMIs) into AVs as communication tools between vehicles and pedestrians. The evolving dynamics of vehicle–pedestrian interactions make eHMIs a compelling strategy for enhancing safety. This study aimed to examine the contribution of eHMIs to safety while exploring the impact of an incentive system on pedestrian risk behavior. Participants interacted with AVs equipped with eHMIs in an immersive environment featuring two distinct scenarios, each highlighting a sense of urgency to reach their destination. In the first scenario, participants behaved naturally without specific instructions, while in the second scenario, they were informed of an incentive aimed at motivating them to cross the road promptly. This innovative experimental approach explored whether motivated participants could maintain focus and accurately perceive genuine risk within virtual environments. The introduction of a reward system significantly increased road-crossings, particularly when the vehicle was approaching at higher speeds, indicating that incentives encouraged participants to take more risks while crossing. Additionally, eHMIs notably impacted pedestrian risk behavior, with participants more likely to cross when the vehicle signaled it would not stop.

Perception of uncontrollable mortality risk is associated with food insecurity and reduced economic effort among resource-insecure college students during COVID-19.

In the framework of the uncontrollable mortality risk hypothesis, resource scarcity intersects with mortality risk, shaping resource allocation strategies with enduring impacts on human health and wellbeing. Despite rising economic and food insecurity among US college students, little is known about how these insecurities relate to mortality risk, or how scarcity and mortality risk interact to shape college students' resource allocation strategies. We examine perceptions of resource scarcity and mortality risk and their associations with food insecurity and resource allocation strategies among economically insecure college students during COVID-19 lockdowns. Participants were recruited through an economic crisis response center at a major public university in the United States. A total of 118 participants completed an online Qualtrics survey assessing sociodemographic characteristics, perceptions of mortality risk and resource availability, food security, economic effort, and time perspective; a subset (n = 51) also participated in a telephone interview assessing psychological distress. In general, participants reported more environmental adversity and economic effort during COVID-19 lockdowns compared to before. Students experiencing higher levels of uncontrollable (and not controllable) mortality risk report lower levels of economic effort, and the association was strongest among students perceiving the fewest resources. We also found significant associations between uncontrollable mortality risk and food insecurity. Our results highlight uncontrollable mortality risk's influence on human well-being. Public health efforts should target the experiences and root structural causes of uncontrollable mortality risk, which among economically insecure college students increasingly involves food insecurity.

Promoting (Safe) Young-User Cycling in Russian Cities: Relationships among Riders’ Features, Cycling Behaviors and Safety-Related Incidents

Background: Promoting cycling, walking and other ‘active’ transportation means continues to be a shared guideline in urban planning, closely aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations. Nonetheless, young cyclists’ safety figures and their potential contributors, including behavioral issues, remain an ongoing concern for researchers, practitioners, and policymakers. Aim: This study aimed to analyze both risky and protective riding patterns of young Russian cyclists in relation to cycling safety factors using the Cycling Behavior Questionnaire (CBQ). Methods: This study used the data provided by 374 young Russian cyclists, aged M = 21.6 (SD = 4.8) years, who responded to an electronic survey on cycling behavior and safety outcomes. Results: Beyond demographic characteristics, the key road rule knowledge and risk perception of young cyclists were significantly associated with their self-reported cycling behaviors. Although both traffic violations and riding errors were negatively correlated with safety incidents, predictive analyses show that errors (though not violations) play a predictive role in young cyclists’ safety-related incidents. Conversely, positive cycling behaviors have been shown to be significant reducers of riding crash likelihood. Conclusion: The results of this study support the idea that addressing key issues such as risk perception, road rule knowledge and protective riding habits, while also targeting risky behaviors on the road, could enhance cycling safety outcomes. Additionally, these findings offer valuable insights into understanding the factors contributing to riding risks and crashes among young cyclists, particularly in the context of the increasing need to promote safer and more sustainable urban mobility in a country with a still young cycling culture.

A Review of Environmental Factors for an Ontology-Based Risk Analysis for Pandemic Spread

Contact tracing is a method used to control the spread of a pandemic. The objectives of this research are to conduct an empirical review and content analysis to identify the environmental factors causing the spread of the pandemic and to propose an ontology-based big data architecture to collect these factors for prediction. No research studies these factors as a whole in pandemic prediction. The research method used was an empirical study and content analysis. The keywords contact tracking, pandemic spread, fear, hygiene measures, government policy, prevention programs, pandemic programs, information disclosure, pandemic economics, and COVID-19 were used to archive studies on the pandemic spread from 2019 to 2022 in the EBSCOHost databases (e.g., Medline, ERIC, Library Information Science &amp; Technology, etc.). The results showed that only 84 of the 588 archived studies were relevant. The risk perception of the pandemic (n = 14), hygiene behavior (n = 7), culture (n = 12), and attitudes of government policies on pandemic prevention (n = 25), education programs (n = 2), business restrictions (n = 2), technology infrastructure, and multimedia usage (n = 24) were the major environmental factors influencing public behavior of pandemic prevention. An ontology-based big data architecture is proposed to collect these factors for building the spread prediction model. The new method overcomes the limitation of traditional pandemic prediction model such as Susceptible-Exposed-Infected-Recovered (SEIR) that only uses time series to predict epidemic trend. The big data architecture allows multi-dimension data and modern AI methods to be used to train the contagion scenarios for spread prediction. It helps policymakers to plan pandemic prevention programs.

IMPACT OF ENVIRONMENTAL AND DEMOGRAPHIC FACTORS ON URBAN CYCLING

Little is known about the importance of different variables in shaping cyclists' risk perception when cycling in urban areas. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of environmental and demographic factors on cyclists' perception of risk in urban cycling. We conducted a study in the central area of a large city, Qazvin, Iran. A linear mixed model was developed to predict the cyclists’ angular movement. Twenty-six cyclists were included in this study. The outcome variable was the change in the cyclists' angular movement as a surrogate for risk perception, and the predictors were the personal characteristics and environmental features. Cycling through residential and commercial areas, one-way routes, routes with speed limits, wide routes ≥ 12 m, existing bike lanes, traffic volume, and path elevation (all P≤0.001) are associated with angular movement. However, sex, age, cycling history, psychological distress score, and presence of parks are not significant predictors of the angular movement. While the cyclist characteristics do not show significant correlations with the angular movement, environmental factors have significant effects on the cyclists’ risk perception. Our research provides insight into the factors that influence the cyclists’ risk perception in urban areas. Environmental factors have significant impacts on the cyclists’ risk perception. This study highlights the critical role of cycling infrastructure in shaping the cyclists’ risk perception and it provides implications for urban planners and policymakers.

Residents’ Risk Perception in Developing Destinations

This paper addresses a gap in research concerning local communities’ perceptions of emerging tourism destinations through the lens of risk perception theory. Despite extensive exploration of perceived risk across disciplines, little attention has been paid to how local communities perceive the risks associated with tourism development. This article aims to propose a framework to explore the multifaceted aspects of residents’ risk perception, encompassing various types of risks, emotions, personal factors, and the role of the media. By formulating research questions that probe into these dimensions, the paper also aims to provide a background for empirical studies that validate and refine the proposed model. Ultimately, this research contributes to a deeper understanding of local community perceptions, offering insights for policymakers and practitioners to foster sustainable tourism practices and community engagement.