Instrument for the analysis of institutional vulnerability in the management of socio-natural risks. An application to the State of Mexico, Mexico
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Abstract
The purpose of this study is to develop an instrument that measures institutional vulnerability. This instrument was assessed by eleven specialists using the “Alfa Cronbach” methodology. The methodology approach has six dimensions: (1) risk identification; (2) reduction of the risk; (3) risk response; (4) finance protection; (5) corruption; and (6) technical capability. The proposal is made up of 25 indicators, and five categories of institutional vulnerability are proposed: very low, low, medium, high, and very high. The instrument was applied to 125 municipalities of the State of Mexico, Mexico. The application of the case study showed that 46 municipalities have a situation of medium institutional vulnerability, while 74 municipalities have high institutional vulnerability, and 5 municipalities have low institutional vulnerability. These findings demonstrated the necessity of (1) updating the territorial planning instruments, (2) designing and applying constructive norms, (3) improving the quality and quantity of civil protection equipment, (4) guaranteeing a better administration of public resources, (5) increasing and improving controls and audits to municipalities, and (6) professionalising public servants in various government orders. The proposed instrument generated in this research, uses publicly available information and it can be replicated with relative simplicity.