Learning through joint Emergency Preparedness - A Case Study of a joint Industrial Safety and Emergency Preparedness System

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to extend on scientific knowledge related to emergency preparedness, knowledge acquisition and learning within joint collaboration between industrial enterprises. There are limited researches that have been done when it comes to learning (singe and double lop learning) within safety science (Drupsteen and Guldenmund 2014). Further Ramli, Mokhtar & Aziz (2014) and Reiners (2010) have pointed out that there is little attention has been made when it comes to collaboration between different enterprises at for example industrial parks. Therefore this thesis looks at a join industrial preparedness system at an industrial park in Norway. Further this thesis looks at what kind of learning platforms that are established as a result of this collaboration. Therefore the following research question have been developed: Research questions 1: How is emergency preparedness established and organized through collaborative efforts among the enterprises in the industrial park? Research question 2: What kinds of learning platforms are established as the result of collaboration on emergency preparedness, and how are they utilized for joint learning. Research question 3: Does the evaluations of the learning that have taken place within these platforms facilitate single or double loop learning?

Learning in this study has been defines as the acquisition of knowledge (Stein 1997), while knowledge defined as “a shared collection of principles, facts, skills, and rules” (Stonehouse & Pemberton 1999: 132). This thesis has used a knowledge management model developed by Evans, Dalkir and Bidian (2014). This model have then been linked with the Plan, Do, Study, Act cycle to describe how the knowledge that is acquired can lead to singe or double loop learning within the ISEP- system. The main conclusion in this thesis is that the industrial park that has been studied has developed a cost - efficient industrial safety and emergency preparedness system. The collaboration has led to the establishment of learning platforms where individuals from the different enterprises met and shared knowledge. The platforms act as knowledge connection point where people from the different meet in groups to share knowledge that can contribute to learning (Inkpen 1998). The learning platforms took the form of risk analysis, visiting tours, education, training, and excises that all were evaluated.