Emergent behavioral theory studies the structure or framework holding the parts that make up the resulting event. Indeed, it can be pretty valuable for understanding the individual mannerisms of people in relation to handling a crisis or disaster (thwink.org, n.d.). While flexible and variant due to the diverse nature of human beings, individual behaviors have recurrent themes based on the underlying social framework; culture (Taylor, 2017). Culture varies from region to region. I agree that understanding the influence of culture on communication, learning, and the formation of community policies plays a vital role in determining how the community will influence the formulation and enactment of risk management processes. Communicating risks comes in three steps, preparedness, response, and recovery. Preparedness is the communication given to people on imminent threats and their characteristics. The response is communication during the threats or emergency, while recovery is communication after the crisis has passed. Indeed, understanding people’s psychology and culture assists in making all these three processes more effective. It will also allow one to predict how they will understand and react to risk management protocols (Ejeta et al., 2015).
Cultural implications also determine the priorities of a risk management plan. As stated before, most people would respond positively to a rescue plan that prioritizes the reunification of their families first. When it comes to risk management in business, understanding their direct community’s culture will play a significant role in ensuring the smooth operations of that business by fulfilling its perceived corporate social responsibility. Perceived corporate social responsibility has to do with what the business community expects from the business. These expectations are imposed in part by the cultures and beliefs of these people (Amao, 2014).
References
Amao, O. (2014). “Emergent State Practice on the creation and practice of Standards on Corporate Social Responsibility.” Amao Practice on Corporate Social Responsibility SPILJ State Practice & International Law Journal (SPILJ), 11(11), 117–137.
Ejeta, L. T., Ardalan, A., & Paton, D. (2015). Application of behavioral theories to disaster and emergency health preparedness: A systematic review. PLoS Currents, 7(DISASTERS). https://doi.org/10.1371/currents.dis.31a8995ced321301466db400f1357829
Taylor, S. (2017). Advancing Social Psychology Book 1. In Eleni Andreouli & S. Taylor (Eds.), Advancing Social Psychology Book 1. The Open University.
Thwink.org. (n.d.). Emergent Behavior – Tool/Concept/Definition. Retrieved June 12, 2021, from https://www.thwink.org/sustain/glossary/EmergentBehavior.htm
