- Title
- A governance framework for mitigating flood risks in Nigeria
- Creator
- Owi, Toinpre
- Relation
- University of Newcastle Research Higher Degree Thesis
- Resource Type
- thesis
- Date
- 2020
- Description
- Research Doctorate - Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
- Description
- The impact of disasters on hard-won social, environmental and economic developmental strides globally cannot be overemphasised. The magnitude and frequency of hazards (i.e. flooding, earthquakes, cyclones, typhoons etc.) poses great challenges for vulnerable populations as well as for those whose statutory responsibilities are to mitigate disaster risks within society. In view of the enormous uncertainties and complexities associated with disasters, several approaches to deal with disaster risks have emerged. These approaches have been characterised as structural measures (i.e. building retention dams, levees, drainage channels etc.) and non-structural measures (rules, regulations, policies, strategies, programmes etc.). Clearly, it can be agreed that the latter often determines the former, as its elements shape societal behaviour and action exhibited through institutions which uphold rules, professional ethics, standards, policies, regulations etc. When institutions that reflect government’s intended vision to achieve resilience and sustainability within society are weak, disaster risks are bound to be created. The existence of institutional deficiencies, such as inefficient flood mitigation plans and policies, poor solid waste management, weak regulatory frameworks etc., spurs expectations and demands (institutional pressures) for public sector organisations to provide solutions. While a wide range of scholarly works have paid much attention to exploring how organisations respond to institutional pressures to maintain legitimacy, there is no contribution providing explanations as to how institutional pressures exerted on public sector organisations influence strategic responses to address disaster risks. The aim of this thesis is to address this gap by exploring public sector organisations charged with the statutory responsibility of addressing flood risks, as such organisations play a dominating role in providing structural and non-structural measures. The study therefore provides evidence within the context of Nigeria to understand the interaction between governance structures and processes that contribute to the risk of flooding in the face of uncertainties and complexities. In order to achieve the objectives of the study, a qualitative phenomenological case study approach is utilised. Through interviews and focus group discussions, the experiences of public sector organisation officials, communities and World Bank funded projects were studied using the pressure and release model, the concept of institutional isomorphism from institutional theory and the organisational strategic response model. The study explores institutional constraints triggered by the interaction between social structures and processes that lead to unsafe conditions exacerbating flooding (dynamic pressures), institutional pressures exerted on public sector organisations and, finally, the responses of the public sector organisations to address the flood risks. Findings from the analysis of data are used to develop a framework for understanding the intricacies of organizational actions which ultimately reflects on the capacity of institutions to mitigate flood risks. Results from this study indicate that there are complex relationships existing between constructs of dynamic pressures manifested through climatic and geographic conditions, societal attitudes, financial constraints, technical deficiencies and institutional weakness. Institutional expectations and demands in the form of coercive, normative and mimetic pressures (isomorphic pressures) were found to influence public sector organisations’ responses to conform to or resist pressures based on antecedent factors and stimulating mechanisms. The findings also significantly contribute to the existing body of knowledge, providing a context-specific understanding of the root dimensions that propel institutional constituents to exert pressures on public sector organisations. Additionally, the study provides knowledge of the nature of institutional pressures exerted on public sector organisations that influence certain strategic choices. The fundamental challenge is that responding to flood risks mainly depends on power relations, scarce resources and the legitimacy-seeking attributes of public sector organisations charged with the statutory responsibility of addressing the risks. Institutional pressures may change over time and will require a choice of mechanisms to stimulate a positive response by public sector organisations to take actions. Implications for practice entails that the awareness of institutional pressures will aid understanding of institutional constraints of public sector organisations and will provide clarity on areas to prioritise to deliver positive disaster risk reduction outcomes.
- Subject
- institutions; disaster risk reduction; disaster risk governance; flood risks; public sector organisations
- Identifier
- http://hdl.handle.net/1959.13/1415248
- Identifier
- uon:36879
- Rights
- Copyright 2020 Toinpre Owi
- Language
- eng
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| Thumbnail | File | Description | Size | Format | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| View Details Download | ATTACHMENT01 | Thesis | 2 MB | Adobe Acrobat PDF | View Details Download | ||
| View Details Download | ATTACHMENT02 | Abstract | 352 KB | Adobe Acrobat PDF | View Details Download |