Risk perception and resistance behavior intention of residents living near chemical industry parks: an empirical analysis in China

As an important component in the disaster risk management process, residents’ risk perceptions to the chemical industry have rarely been examined by scholars. Risk perception affects individuals’ risk awareness, and consequentially determines people’s behavioral reactions vis-a-vis typical disasters. In fact, numerous street protests in China have been waged against the operations of that nation’s chemical plants, such unrest conceivably contributes to inimical consequences for the chemical business sector, government efforts to reduce the social strife, and China’s commonweal. Given the import of these potential adverse outcomes and the paucity of germane empiricism in the area, this study aims to enhance understanding of the motivation of persons’ resistance behaviors through examination of determinants of local residents' risk perceptions. We conducted a large-scale survey among those living in proximity to two chemical industrial parks in Shanghai and Ningbo, Zhejiang Province. Synthesizing previous research findings regarding risk perception, we constructed a structural equation model to explore the direct and indirect relationships among the determinant factors. Results showed that public engagement and social trust significantly reduced risk perceptions, while interpersonal communication and new media use positively affected the perceived risks. In addition, when people have better knowledge of risks, their perceived risk about the chemical industry declined. Our model also presented interconnected relations among these determinants, e.g., risk knowledge weakened the positive relationship between interpersonal communication and risk perception. We also found that residents’ resistance behavior intention can go assertive (i.e., taking aggressive actions) and inactive (i.e., quieter ways to manifest resistance).