A Study on Factors Related to Disaster Management in Industries That Store Hazardous Materials

¹ Assistant Professor, Graduate School of Disaster Management, Central Police University, 33304 Taoyuan City, Taiwan (R.O.C)
² Associate Professor, Department of Land Management and Development, Chang Jung University, 71101 Tainan City, Taiwan (R.O.C)
³ Officer of Disaster Reduction Planning Section, Taoyuan Fire Department, 33304 Taoyuan City, Taiwan (R.O.C)

^* Corresponding author: peicshao1211@gmail.com

Abstract

When disaster strikes, close relationships form between governments, businesses, and people. Since hazardous materials industries are dangerous, it is important to enhance their disaster prevention efforts. We examined the literature on hazardous materials management, business risk management, corporate social responsibility, and the promotion of disaster management in Taiwan. The study deals with these topics in five dimensions: “organization,” “law,” “consultation,” “financial aid,” and “education.” These dimensions were used to create a questionnaire. An investigation of hazardous materials industries in Taiwan was conducted to explore the factors that could be used to promote their disaster management and improve their willingness. After the data were analyzed, the findings indicated the following: (1) Company capital affected motivation toward disaster management, especially as an organizational factor. (2) A company's employee population affected its selection of motivation factors. (3) When the government made disaster management policies, the differences between the hazardous materials industries and consultation and support persons were the main viewpoints related to the promotion of policies. (4) Two background variables, company capital and employee population, had an interaction on the motivation factor of organization. (5) Three motivation factors—“organization,” “consultation,” and “financial aid”—could effectively predict an industry's intention toward business continuity management.