Stakeholder participation for effective post-disaster risk communication: The role of relationship quality

Abstract

The stakeholder participation approach (SPA) is widely applied in post-disaster risk communication (PDRC). While existing literature emphasizes the critical role of stakeholder relationships in achieving effective PDRC, our understanding of these relationships and their impact on PDRC effectiveness remains limited. This study addresses this gap by introducing the concept of relationship quality and examining its conceptualization and influence on perceived PDRC effectiveness. Drawing on structural equation modeling (SEM) and survey data from a post-flood reconstruction project in Yan'an, China, the study validates relationship quality as a meaningful construct within the PDRC context, comprising four key dimensions: trust, fairness, communication, and coordination. The results reveal that trust, communication, and coordination serve as chain mediators in the relationship between fairness and PDRC effectiveness. Based on these findings, the study proposes several strategies for enhancing PDRC effectiveness through SPA, including shifting governance from a vertical to a horizontal structure, prioritizing relationship quality management, and recognizing the contributions of individual stakeholders.