Title: The process of integrating risk management: usefulness, standardisation and adaptation

Authors: Mette Leonhardsen; Aud Solveig Nilsen; Odd Einar Olsen

Addresses: Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Safety, Economics and Planning, University of Stavanger, 4036, Stavanger, Norway ' Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Technology and Safety, UiT The Arctic University in Norway, 9037, Tromsø, Norway ' Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Safety, Economics and Planning, University of Stavanger, 4036, Stavanger, Norway

Abstract: In this paper we analyse how a municipality set out to integrate risk management throughout an organisation with more than 9000 employees in six divisions and over 100 sub-units. An objective was to ensure coherence in risk management related work conducted in various sub-units in the municipality. Being forerunners, those involved had to find their own way. We identify three focus areas of importance in the integration process: usefulness, standardisation and adaptation. We describe and discuss the activities within these focus areas, and their value to the integration process. We collected the data in this study over a six-year period. The period encompasses the development from intention, where only a few people were involved, to realisation in divisions and sub-units. The study is delimited to risk management related to safeguarding the population.

Keywords: risk management; integration; implementation; safety; standardisation; adaptation; usefulness; municipalities; public sector.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEM.2022.125157

International Journal of Emergency Management, 2022 Vol.17 No.3/4, pp.255 - 273

Received: 12 Feb 2021
Accepted: 20 Sep 2021
Published online: 31 Aug 2022 *

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