全球化下的風險與資訊管理 (Lecture 13)

The lecture 13 of General Education and Public Affairs Certificate Course (通識及公共事務證書課程) was held on 11 December 2010. I would like to summarize it for sharing.

第十三課 (11 December 2010)
全球化下的風險與資訊管理
陳智傑先生主講 – 香港中文大學新聞與傳播學院博士候選人／新力量網絡秘書


Mr. Chan’s topic entitled “Globalization and Risk Management”. He introduced a risky world to us. For instance, Financial Tsunami came from ‘AAA’ Asset-grading companies in 2008, and Asset bubbles form QE2 recently. For safety concern, milk powder, Indonesian noodles, drugs recalled were mentioned.

Then Mr. Chan described the nature and origins of risk. It was come from future uncertainties which cause FEAR. The brief summary of risk was:
· Risk: capturing future uncertainties by risk premium
· Expert knowledge and system: crucial to risk assessment
· A double-edged sword: unintended consequence of risk control → a more risky world with new and less predictable risks

Mr. Chan stated that Risk Management beyond scientific calculation (calculation of probability) because risk as social perception. A case study about falling tree in Hong Kong was discussed.

The tree fall accident had no evident that it was high possibility to occur.

However, the recently cases were blamed from public. The change was from “misfortune” to “human-made blunder”. The issue of Risk Management was considered not only the probability, but also the perception.

The following diagram showed the relationship about social alarm of risk.

Finally, Mr. Chan concluded that the risk matters to society contained “Impacts on social formation” and “Political Implication”. For international politics, it was only a game of risk-transfer.

Reference:
陳智傑 危機社會下的施政報告 - http://www.synergynet.org.hk/b5_m14_1.php?id=1493