Preliminary communication
https://doi.org/10.62366/crebss.2025.2.004
Differences in disaster risk perceptions and information sources between Croatian students and reference groups
Davor Labaš
orcid.org/0000-0003-2500-4211
; University of Zagreb, Faculty of Economics and Business, Croatia
*
* Corresponding author.
Abstract
In the face of pronounced climate and security threats, resilience is becoming a social priority. Therefore, this paper analyses the level of awareness of disaster risks and preferences for sources of information among Croatian business economics students and compared them to reference groups of students and the population from the EU-27 and the Republic of Croatia. The results of research conducted on criterion sampled students at the Faculty of Economics & Business, University of Zagreb, using the Eurobarometer methodology, confirm that Croatian students have a statistically significantly higher awareness of disaster risks (81.2%) compared to EU-27 member states students (66.9%) and population of the EU-27 and the Republic of Croatia, which correlates with a high share of personal disaster experience (81%). The analysis of information sources reveals the existence of a hybrid model: with the dominance of digital channels, students significantly use national media, which indicates information maturity and the search for credible content. Contribution of the paper is reflected in the identification of a high perception of disaster risk as a positive asset that encourages future decision-makers to early recognize danger signals. The results indicate the necessity of transforming existing awareness into specific operational readiness, suggesting a strategic redirection of resources from information campaigns to the implementation of practical training and simulations.
Keywords
crisis management; information sources; disaster risk perception; preparedness; business students
Hrčak ID:
342040
URI
Publication date:
22.12.2025.
Visits: 491 *