Public complacency under repeated emergency threats: Some empirical evidence

    Authors

    X. Wang;N. Kapucu

    Comments

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    Abbreviated Journal Title

    J. Publ. Adm. Res. Theory

    Keywords

    RISK COMMUNICATION; MANAGEMENT; DISASTER; Public Administration

    Abstract

    in the summer of 2004, the state of Florida was struck by four major hurricanes consecutively. Using data collected from jurisdictions experiencing hurricanes, this study examines public complacency defined as the tendency to ignore hurricane threat warnings. Results indicate that the public showed signs of complacency under repeated emergency threat warnings and there is a need to manage or reduce such tendency because a complacent public is less prepared for emergencies. Importantly, the study finds that the government plays a role in developing effective communication strategies to reduce public complacency and to enhance public preparedness in response to disasters.

    Journal Title

    Journal of Public Administration Research and Theory

    Volume

    18

    Issue/Number

    1

    Publication Date

    1-1-2008

    Document Type

    Article

    Language

    English

    First Page

    57

    Last Page

    78

    WOS Identifier

    WOS:000252249000003

    ISSN

    1053-1858

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