Developing an Event Safety Risk Typology: a Qualitative Study of Risk Perception Amongst Event Planners and Venue Managers in Malaysia
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DEVELOPING AN EVENT SAFETY RISK TYPOLOGY: A QUALITATIVE STUDY OF RISK PERCEPTION AMONGST EVENT PLANNERS AND VENUE MANAGERS IN MALAYSIA by MASRUR MOHD KHIR A thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements of Liverpool John Moores University for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy March 2014 i 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 ii 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. iii Acknowledgement I would like to express my gratitude to all those who gave me the possibility to complete this thesis. I am deeply indebted to my supervisors, Dr. Martin Selby, Professor Dave Huddart and Philip Williamson from Liverpool John Moores University whose help, stimulating suggestions and encouragement helped me in all the time of this research for and writing of this thesis. My utmost gratitude also goes to my former supervisor, Professor Ian Stronach at the University of Manchester for giving continuous support for me to complete this journey. Thank you to my sponsor, Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) for funding this study and for the financial assistance rendered throughout the duration of this study. I want to thank the Research Division, Economic Planning Unit of the Prime Minister’s Department and the Government of Malaysia for giving me permission to commence this thesis in the proposed domain. I am also deeply grateful to all my former colleagues at Liverpool John Moores University who supported me in my research work: Sajida Bibi-Nawaz, Greg Cahill, Sayira Tazayian, Hafizan Mat Som, Ariya Riengchantr, Katy Dymoke, Vanessa Cui, Moy Hua Chew and Anna Mavrianou. My sincere thanks and appreciation also extended to all my friends in Liverpool and in Malaysia for all their help and support. I am also obliged and forever indebted to all my former teachers and lecturers for all the knowledge and wisdoms that have made me who I am today. The deepest appreciation to my mother Che Mariam Ibrahim, without her prayers and persistent support this journey would not have been possible, also to all my brothers and sisters for their continuous encouragement and confidence. Especially, I would like to give my special thanks to my wife Norazelahanom whose patient love and sacrifice has enabled me to complete this work. Last but not least to my beloved children, Muaz, Maisarah, Marissa and Maryam to continue being the pillars of strength, hope and joy in our life. iv List of Figures Figure 1.1: Map of Malaysia Figure 2.1: Conceptual model of event risk and safety from a Malaysian perspective Figure 4.1: Thematic network of pilot study: preliminary phase Figure 5.1: Iceberg model of threats to an organisation: Reporting iceberg Figure 5.2: Iceberg model of threats to an organisation: Variation of the reporting iceberg Figure 5.3: Thematic network typology for crowd safety and crowd control Figure 5.4: Malaysian demographic population Figure 5.5: Network typology for alcohol-related risk Figure 5.6: Thematic network typology of technical and logistics hazards Figure 6.1: Thematic network of emergency services Figure 6.2: Thematic network for security risks/issues Figure 6.3: Network typology of environmental health and safety Figure 6.4: Thematic network for financial risk Figure 6.5: Network typology for other safety risks Figure 7.1: Proposed risk and hazard identification triangle (framework) v List of Appendices APPENDIX I : Letter from EPU, Prime Minister’s Department of Malaysia APPENDIX II : Research Pass APPENDIX III : Declaration/Agreement APPENDIX IV : Gatekeeper Letter APPENDIX V : Participant Information Sheet APPENDIX VI : Consent Form APPENDIX VII : Interview Schedule APPENDIX VIII : Data Coding (initial line-by-line coding) APPENDIX IX : Sample of Interview Transcript APPENDIX X : Research Methodology (Diagram) APPENDIX XI : Demographic Form APPENDIX XII : Diagram of Event Safety Risk Typology vi Table of Contents Title page……..……………………...…………………………………………………………….i Abstract …..………………………..……………………………………………………………...ii Acknowledgement………………………………………………………………………………..iv List of Figures…………………..…………………………………………………………………v Table of Content…………………………………………………………………………….…….1 1 CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION AND OVERVIEW ...............................................14 1.1 Research Background .....................................................................................................14 1.1.1 Setting the Scene ................................................................................................14 1.1.2 Reported Safety Incidents and Accidents in Malaysia .......................................15 1.2 Event Management Introduction .....................................................................................18 1.3 Statement of the Problem ................................................................................................21 1.4 Research Aims and Objectives .......................................................................................22 1.4.1 The Purpose of the Study ...................................................................................22 1.4.2 Research Objectives ...........................................................................................22 1.5 Overview of Research Methodology ..............................................................................23 1.5.1 Qualitative Research ..........................................................................................23 1.5.2 Methods ..............................................................................................................24 7 1.6 Thesis Structure ...............................................................................................................25 2 CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW ...................................................................28 2.1 Event Management .........................................................................................................28 2.1.1 Event and Project Management .........................................................................30 2.2 Risk, assessment and management .................................................................................32 2.3 Event Risk and Safety .....................................................................................................38 2.4 Risk Perception ...............................................................................................................43 2.4.1 Insights into Risk Perception .............................................................................43 2.4.2 Risk Perception in the Event Industry ................................................................47 2.5 Legislation and Legal aspect ...........................................................................................50 2.6 Summary and Conclusions ..............................................................................................53