The perception and management of pollution risks in Taiwan's electric utility

• Main Author: Sung, Martin (Ming-Che)
• Published: Glasgow Caledonian University 1999
• Subjects: 658; Management Environmental protection Pollution Power resources
• Online Access: http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.313175

This thesis is the study of the perception and management of pollution risks in Taiwan's electric utility in terms of a social science paradigm of risk. It represents the first examination of Feng Shui belief impact on Taiwanese risk behaviour in electric risk settings. The deep seated culture and widespread practice of Feng Shui in traditional Chinese society would lead to the assumption that Feng Shui belief should strongly influence Taiwan risk behaviour. This empirical study research revealed that Feng Shui belief is much less important to Taiwanese risk behaviour than might have been thought. Most of the variation in electric risk acceptability resulted from the influence of social equity and justice. This study also examined the literature between Feng Shui and risk. What emerged from this is the notion that Feng Shui can be regarded as helpful complementary thinking in a social science paradigm of risk. This study suggests a number of important implications for Taipower Company and risk regulators. The choice about siting of a power plant should take account of the concept of Feng Shui the boundary rather than the concept of the fixed and administrative boundary. Implication also emerged in relation to social trust and the understanding of local residents' risk perception