Details
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Journal | Journal of risk research |
| Early online date | 26 Nov 2024 |
| Publication status | E-pub ahead of print - 26 Nov 2024 |
Abstract
Both theoretical and empirical publications in the risk perception literature indicate a negative relationship between trust (or confidence) and the perception of risk with respect to a technology. In the case of nuclear waste management, Germans generally perceive there to be high risks, and the authorities are trying to increase trust to reduce that perception. A recent study determined that, when selecting a site for a deep geological repository in a community, trust is more important for acceptance of the decision-making procedure than it is for acceptance of the repository itself. In this study, we further investigate the relationship between perceived fairness, trust, in terms of confidence and acceptance of the site selection procedure, and the relationship between risk and safety in the acceptance of a repository. A questionnaire was administered online to a sample comprising N = 2490 German citizens (50% women) to investigate respondents’ opinions on the named variables. Correlations and regression analysis were applied to examine the data. The results indicate that confidence in institutions and acceptance of the procedure increase if it is perceived to be fair; similarly, acceptance of the repository itself increases with the belief that it can be safe. These results enhance the knowledge about how perceived fairness and safety together with confidence support acceptance of the procedure and a repository itself. Suggestions are made regarding how to measure the value-related variables of fairness and safety, and future research directions are discussed.
Keywords
- acceptance of procedure, fairness, Nuclear waste repository, safety
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Engineering(all)
- Safety, Risk, Reliability and Quality
- Engineering(all)
- General Engineering
- Social Sciences(all)
- General Social Sciences
- Business, Management and Accounting(all)
- Strategy and Management
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In: Journal of risk research, 26.11.2024.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Research › peer review
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Procedural fairness and safety in the acceptance of nuclear waste disposal in Germany
T2 - an empirical study
AU - Seidl, Roman
AU - Drögemüller, Cord
N1 - Publisher Copyright: © 2024 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.
PY - 2024/11/26
Y1 - 2024/11/26
N2 - Both theoretical and empirical publications in the risk perception literature indicate a negative relationship between trust (or confidence) and the perception of risk with respect to a technology. In the case of nuclear waste management, Germans generally perceive there to be high risks, and the authorities are trying to increase trust to reduce that perception. A recent study determined that, when selecting a site for a deep geological repository in a community, trust is more important for acceptance of the decision-making procedure than it is for acceptance of the repository itself. In this study, we further investigate the relationship between perceived fairness, trust, in terms of confidence and acceptance of the site selection procedure, and the relationship between risk and safety in the acceptance of a repository. A questionnaire was administered online to a sample comprising N = 2490 German citizens (50% women) to investigate respondents’ opinions on the named variables. Correlations and regression analysis were applied to examine the data. The results indicate that confidence in institutions and acceptance of the procedure increase if it is perceived to be fair; similarly, acceptance of the repository itself increases with the belief that it can be safe. These results enhance the knowledge about how perceived fairness and safety together with confidence support acceptance of the procedure and a repository itself. Suggestions are made regarding how to measure the value-related variables of fairness and safety, and future research directions are discussed.
AB - Both theoretical and empirical publications in the risk perception literature indicate a negative relationship between trust (or confidence) and the perception of risk with respect to a technology. In the case of nuclear waste management, Germans generally perceive there to be high risks, and the authorities are trying to increase trust to reduce that perception. A recent study determined that, when selecting a site for a deep geological repository in a community, trust is more important for acceptance of the decision-making procedure than it is for acceptance of the repository itself. In this study, we further investigate the relationship between perceived fairness, trust, in terms of confidence and acceptance of the site selection procedure, and the relationship between risk and safety in the acceptance of a repository. A questionnaire was administered online to a sample comprising N = 2490 German citizens (50% women) to investigate respondents’ opinions on the named variables. Correlations and regression analysis were applied to examine the data. The results indicate that confidence in institutions and acceptance of the procedure increase if it is perceived to be fair; similarly, acceptance of the repository itself increases with the belief that it can be safe. These results enhance the knowledge about how perceived fairness and safety together with confidence support acceptance of the procedure and a repository itself. Suggestions are made regarding how to measure the value-related variables of fairness and safety, and future research directions are discussed.
KW - acceptance of procedure
KW - fairness
KW - Nuclear waste repository
KW - safety
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85210507723&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1080/13669877.2024.2431896
DO - 10.1080/13669877.2024.2431896
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85210507723
JO - Journal of risk research
JF - Journal of risk research
SN - 1366-9877
ER -