In this study the dynamics of risk perceptions about BSE held by Canadian consumers and cow-calf operators are evaluated. Since the BSE outbreak in 2003, Canadian consumers and cow-calf operators may have had various different reactions to BSE. These reactions may be related to their different levels of risk perception about BSE, risk perceptions which may have evolved over time and may be affected by BSE media information. These reactions may also be the result of factors other than BSE. An analysis of behavioural models of consumers and cow-calf producers is required to reveal the impacts of both BSE risk perceptions and non-BSE related factors. In this study, the risk perceptions about BSE are specified applying a Social Amplification of Risk Framework (SARF) and a Prospective Reference Theory (PRT), and evaluated through market observed behaviour of Canadian consumers and cow-calf producers, an approach which is different than the traditional stated preference approach to eliciting risk perception measures. Parametric and non-parametric structural break tests associated with the BSE outbreak (May 2003) are employed to evaluate changes in consumers or cow-calf operators behaviour. The results show that SARF is supported by both panel data and time series data on Canadian consumers and cow-calf producers, suggesting that their risk perceptions about BSE are amplified by both the quantity and quality of BSE information. Risk perceptions about BSE have led to a decrease in beef demand and an increase in slaughter cow supply, which in turn, exacerbated losses in Canadian beef sector. Structural break tests related to the BSE outbreak in May 2003 confirm changes in both consumers and cow-calf producers behaviour. Consumers with different profiles had different levels of risk perceptions about BSE and different demand and substitution elasticities. Cow-calf producers from different regions also had different levels of risk perceptions about BSE and different supply elasticities, suggesting the need for more analysis of market segmentation. Simulation analyses over the North American beef sector further confirmed the impact of BSE risk perceptions of Canadian consumers and cow-calf producers in the North American beef and live cattle market. / Agricultural and Resource Economics

This dissertation uses qualitative research methods to describe the history of language use and maintenance on the islands of Aruba and Puerto Rico. More specifically, it examines how the islands' unique colonial circumstances have affected the maintenance of the local language. The multidisciplinary field of language planning and policy (LPP) has historically focused on documenting, categorizing and revitalizing languages that have undergone significant language shift. As a result, the majority of the discourse regarding threatened languages also implies that a threatened language will soon be endangered. The language contexts on the islands of Aruba and Puerto Rico do not conform to this often assumed linear progression. The use of document analysis, interviews with key players in LPP and observations on both islands provide the data for the position that there are unique contexts where language threat can be discussed, not in terms of language shift, but in terms of perceptions of threat. In addition to providing a detailed historical account of language situations on both islands, this dissertation frames the findings within a larger framework of redefining language threat. Special attention is paid to how social agents have influenced perceptions through the social amplification of risk framework. The work concludes with an argument for a framework that incorporates not only languages that have witnessed language shift, but also language contexts where languages are perceived to be threatened, with the understanding that such a distinction could potentially move the field of LPP toward a better understanding of language maintenance.

No description available.

This research integrates the theoretical implications of risk perception, the social amplification of risk, and the role of place-specific contexts, in order to explore the various perceptions surrounding Florida red tides. Florida red tides are a naturally-occurring event, yet most scientists agree that they are increasing in frequency, duration, and severity. This has profound implication for public health, the local economy, and the biological community. While many of the negative impacts are not easily controllable at this time, some of the secondary impacts can be mitigated through individuals' responses. Unfortunately, public perceptions and consequent reactions to red tides have not been investigated. This research uses questionnaire surveys, semi-structured interviews, and newspaper content analysis to explore the various perceptions of risk surrounding red tides. Surveys and interviews were conducted along two Florida west coast beaches, Fort De Soto Park and Siesta Key. Results indicate that the underlying foundations of the social amplification of risk framework are applicable to understanding how individuals form perceptions of risk relative to red tide events. There are key differences between the spatial locations of individuals and corresponding perceptions, indicating that place-specific contexts are essential to understanding how individuals receive and interpret risk information. The results also suggest that individuals may be lacking efficient and up-to-date information about red tides and their impacts due to inconsistent public outreach. Overall, particular social and spatial factors appear to be more influential as to whether individuals amplify or attenuate the risks associated with red tides.

Dans cet ouvrage, nous cherchons à comprendre l‘impact des perceptions sur la production et la gestion de la sécurité dans le réseau du transport en commun de Montréal. Quinze entrevues de recherche ont été effectuées avec des policiers de l‘Unité-Métro pour dégager les principaux éléments qui entrent dans la conception du risque. Les policiers sont appelés à travailler dans un environnement où, d‘une part, il n‘y a jamais eu d‘attaques terroristes, mais d‘autre part qui demeure une cible potentielle à la fois pour les experts, les gouvernements et dans la culture populaire. Nos résultats montrent que les policiers se développent une perception du risque qui leur est propre. En général, ils ont une attitude pragmatique qui leur permet de relativiser les situations et de décider lesquelles nécessitent une intervention de leur part. De plus, les policiers adoptent des stratégies de justification et de protection qui minimisent la perception du risque. Nos participants soulignent que ces stratégies sont nécessaires pour leur permettre d‘effectuer leurs tâches quotidiennes. Ainsi, afin d‘échapper à la paranoïa, les policiers évitent de penser à la menace terroriste et focus plutôt leur attention sur la criminalité sur laquelle ils ont l‘impression d‘avoir un pouvoir réel. Toutefois, la vigilance reste de mise. Malgré que les policiers ne conçoivent pas le risque de la même manière que les gestionnaires, la présence de l‘Unité-Métro demeure un élément important de production de la sécurité sur le terrain. / The research presented in this thesis aims to understand the impact of perceptions on the production and management of security in the Montreal transit system. Fifteen research interviews were conducted with police officers from the Metro Unit to identify the key elements involved in the perception of risk. The police officers are called to work in an environment where, on the one hand, there has never been any terrorist attacks, but on the other, remains a potential target according to experts, governments and popular culture. Our results show that the police officers develop a perception of risk specific to their tasks. In general, they have a pragmatic attitude which allows them to quickly sort situations and decide which ones need their attention. In addition, the police officers adopt justification and protection strategies that allow them to minimize their perception of risk. Participants insist that these strategies are necessary to enable them to perform their daily tasks. Thus, in order to escape falling into a paranoid state, the police officers avoid thinking about the terrorist threat, preferring to focus their attention on the crimes on which they believe to have an actual power. However, vigilance is still required. Although the police officers did not perceive the risk in the same way as administrators, the presence of the Metro Unit remains an important part of the production of security in the Montreal transit system.

Dans cet ouvrage, nous cherchons à comprendre l‘impact des perceptions sur la production et la gestion de la sécurité dans le réseau du transport en commun de Montréal. Quinze entrevues de recherche ont été effectuées avec des policiers de l‘Unité-Métro pour dégager les principaux éléments qui entrent dans la conception du risque. Les policiers sont appelés à travailler dans un environnement où, d‘une part, il n‘y a jamais eu d‘attaques terroristes, mais d‘autre part qui demeure une cible potentielle à la fois pour les experts, les gouvernements et dans la culture populaire. Nos résultats montrent que les policiers se développent une perception du risque qui leur est propre. En général, ils ont une attitude pragmatique qui leur permet de relativiser les situations et de décider lesquelles nécessitent une intervention de leur part. De plus, les policiers adoptent des stratégies de justification et de protection qui minimisent la perception du risque. Nos participants soulignent que ces stratégies sont nécessaires pour leur permettre d‘effectuer leurs tâches quotidiennes. Ainsi, afin d‘échapper à la paranoïa, les policiers évitent de penser à la menace terroriste et focus plutôt leur attention sur la criminalité sur laquelle ils ont l‘impression d‘avoir un pouvoir réel. Toutefois, la vigilance reste de mise. Malgré que les policiers ne conçoivent pas le risque de la même manière que les gestionnaires, la présence de l‘Unité-Métro demeure un élément important de production de la sécurité sur le terrain. / The research presented in this thesis aims to understand the impact of perceptions on the production and management of security in the Montreal transit system. Fifteen research interviews were conducted with police officers from the Metro Unit to identify the key elements involved in the perception of risk. The police officers are called to work in an environment where, on the one hand, there has never been any terrorist attacks, but on the other, remains a potential target according to experts, governments and popular culture. Our results show that the police officers develop a perception of risk specific to their tasks. In general, they have a pragmatic attitude which allows them to quickly sort situations and decide which ones need their attention. In addition, the police officers adopt justification and protection strategies that allow them to minimize their perception of risk. Participants insist that these strategies are necessary to enable them to perform their daily tasks. Thus, in order to escape falling into a paranoid state, the police officers avoid thinking about the terrorist threat, preferring to focus their attention on the crimes on which they believe to have an actual power. However, vigilance is still required. Although the police officers did not perceive the risk in the same way as administrators, the presence of the Metro Unit remains an important part of the production of security in the Montreal transit system.

In the West African country Ghana, which has a history of poor natural resource management, discovery of offshore petroleum resources in 2007 and subsequent commercial production in 2010 (with British multinational Tullow Oil as lead operator) is a potential source of potential wealth and inequality. Using the Cultural Theory of Risk, Social Amplification of Risk Framework, and the Corporate Sustainability Framework — a proposed model—as theoretical foundations, this dissertation examines corporate sustainability practices, communication, and their implications for local residents’ risk perceptions, corporate reputation, and risk management. The study also assesses how cultural worldviews and informational networks (e.g., an environmental group, opinion leaders, and media) amplify or attenuate residents’ risks perceptions. Data were collected via interviews with key actors including a non-governmental organization (NGO), a survey of a representative sample of Half Assini residents in one of the six coastal districts that adjoin Ghana’s offshore petroleum region, and analyses of Tullow’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) reports and other communication texts. Extant worldview and corporate reputation measures were also developed/adapted and tested. The study finds support for the view that cultural worldview and affect are associated with public risk perceptions. Thus, individuals who (a) do not subscribe to the worldview that government ought to regulate corporate behaviors, (b) show a relatively high sense of attachment to their communities, (c) rate the images associated with Ghana’s offshore oil production favorably, and (d) rate the images associated with Tullow Oil positively are more likely to be worried that Ghana’s offshore oil production poses significant risks for the country and their local communities. Regarding corporate sustainability communication, the study observes that Tullow uses a predominantly technical, expert-driven approach, which seeks to discursively position it as an aspirational, engaged, and responsible organization. While critiquing Tullow’s corporate sustainability and communication approach, the research also argues that corporate sustainability (CSR and risk) communication has the potential to constitute desirable corporate practices and could ultimately culminate in meaningful social change. Theoretical contributions to risk perception, risk management/communication, corporate reputation, and CSR communication are discussed. Practical implications for advocacy, corporate practices, and public participation in environmental decision-making are discussed.

No description available.

Le début du XXI siècle a été marqué par deux épisodes de flambées des prix des produits alimentaires au niveau mondial, respectivement en 2007-08 et 2010-11. Ces hausses de prix ont aggravé le niveau d’insécurité alimentaire dans de nombreux pays en développement et ont engendré des manifestations et troubles sociaux dans certains pays. Déterminer les facteurs qui contribuent à accroitre le risque d’insécurité alimentaire et comprendre les mécanismes qui sous-tendent l’éclatement d’une crise alimentaire pourraient permettre d’améliorer l’efficacité des politiques de prévention. Cette thèse contribue à cet objectif. Le chapitre 2 estime les différentes composantes de la variabilité de la disponibilité alimentaire en utilisant les données désagrégées des bilans alimentaires. Nos résultats suggèrent que plus de la moitié de la variabilité de la disponibilité alimentaire d’un pays dépend de chocs propres au pays. Les chocs globaux représentent environ 1% de la variabilité totale.Le chapitre 3 montre que l’impact du commerce international sur la variabilité de la disponibilité alimentaire dépend du portefeuille d’accords commerciaux détenu par le pays. Le chapitre 4 utilise le cadre théorique des paniques bancaires et s’appuie sur des travaux portant sur le risque perçu et sur les biais cognitifs pour modéliser le comportement d’achat alimentaire du consommateur. Nous montrons comment l’amplification sociale du risque peut conduire au stockage de précaution et à une crise alimentaire auto-réalisatrice. Nous mettons aussi en évidence l’utilité sociale d’une information publique / The beginning of the 21st century is marked by two episodes of global food price spikes in 2007-08 and 2010-11, respectively. These price increases have worsened the level of food insecurity in many developing countries and have led to social unrest in some countries. Identifying the factors that contribute to increase the risk of food insecurity and understand the mechanisms that underpin the outbreak of a food crisis could help to improve food policy management.This thesis contributes to this objective. Chapter 2 estimates the different components of food supply variability by using disaggregated data of food balance sheets. Our results suggest that more than half of food supply variability is caused by country-specific shocks. Global shocks account for about 1% of the total variability.Chapter 3 shows that the impact of international trade on food supply variability depends on the country's portfolio of trade agreements. Chapter 4 uses the theoretical framework of bank panics and builds on work on perceived risk and cognitive biases to model consumer food purchasing behavior under uncertainty. We show how social amplification of risk can lead to precautionary storage and in fine self-fulfilling food crisis. We also highlight the social utility of reliable public information. Finally, Chapter 5 examines the impact of dietary composition on the probability of occurrence of social unrest in case of soaring world food prices. Our results suggest that the cereal concentration of the diet increases significantly the probability of social unrest.