Abudu, H. D.; Mewomo, M. C.; Adjei, K. O. and Bondinuba, F. K. (2026) An emergency response framework for improving crisis management in facilities: PLS-SEM approach. International Journal of Disaster Resilience in the Built Environment, ISSN 1759-5908
Abstract
Purpose – Emergency response systems often face inadequate infrastructure, poor coordination and limited preparedness, hindering crisis management during disasters. Addressing these challenges is essential for enhancing resilience and response capabilities. This study aims to develop an integrated emergency response framework for facilities. Design/methodology/approach – This study employed a quantitative research approach to gather data on emergency response infrastructure in Ghana. A structured questionnaire survey led to 159 responses from facility managers, engineers, architects, building inspectors, quantity surveyors and National Disaster Management Organisation officials. The sample was selected from 43 districts, municipalities and metropolitan areas using purposive and convenience sampling. Data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics, including means, standard deviations, normalisation values and partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM). Findings – The study identified two main factors affecting emergency response: technical (risk monitoring, forecasting, risk knowledge) and non-technical (preparedness, recovery capabilities, warning dissemination, response capacity). PLS-SEM demonstrated that risk knowledge, forecasting, preparedness and recovery capabilities significantly enhance emergency outcomes, such as saving lives and protecting property, emphasising the practical value of the framework. Practical implications – The frameworks offer guidance to policymakers, emergency managers and infrastructure planners in designing emergency response strategies, improving stakeholder coordination, optimising resource allocation and enhancing communication networks. Originality/value – This study contributes to the body of knowledge by using PLS-SEM to develop an emergency response framework for facilities. It combines crisis and facility management concepts to improve emergency response in facilities.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | disaster preparedness; disaster risk management; disaster risk reduction; emergency response; resilience |
| Index terms: | forecasting, partial least square, disaster risk reduction, municipality, recovery, Ghana, dissemination, disaster preparedness, manager, structural equation modelling, communication network, body of knowledge, sampling, crisis management, monitoring, emergency response, disaster risk, quantity surveying, engineer, strategy, questionnaire, survey, planner, architect, deviation, resource allocation, methodology, quantitative research, face, disaster management, coordination, statistics |
| Subjects: | statistical analysis, financial risk, profession, mathematical modelling, control systems, psychology, administrative law, management, resource management, knowledge management, knowledge translation, networking, safety engineering, research methods, operations management, data collection methods, financial and cost management, prediction and forecasting, data analysis and analytics, environmental hazards, practitioner, Geography |
| Topics: | Sustainability, Information Management, Legal Issues, Organizational Design, Project Management, Research Practice, Site Management, Health and Safety, Business Strategy, Digital Applications, Geographical Context, Cost Management, Roles and Professions |
| Descriptive scope: | 5 PCTEA |
N.B. Descriptive scope is a count of how many of the five facets of empirical research are indicated by the words used in title, abstract and keywords. It is not intended as a judgement on the research; merely a count of the kind of word we would expect to indicate Phenomenon, Concepts, Theoretical framing, Empirical techniques, Analytical techniques. If all five are present, then a code of “5 PCTEA” will indicate this. If you feel the coding for this record is questionable, we welcome discussion around the terms we matched or the way we categorized them. The facet you would expect may not be coded, or a facet may be coded inappropriately. This can also bear on a larger question, of which facets should be treated as defining in construction management research. Please get in touch, and we will look at it. More details here