A qualitative study on CBRN communication and culture in Finnish authorities
Ihalainen, Esa (2025)
2025
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Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2025052114208
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2025052114208
Tiivistelmä
The aim of this study is to increase Finland’s general safety by improving the quality of the Finnish chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) related culture and communication between the Finnish Defence Forces, the Police of Finland, and the Finnish Rescue services, by updating their cooperating methods, and by finding practical solutions through a better and more appropriate overall understanding of the scene. The objective of this study is to understand what it takes to become a CBRN expert in these organizations, as well as to understand the national CBRN communication culture prevailing in them, and its effects on reality. In addition, the developmental elements that can take the field forward is discussed.
The theoretical framework is built on current academic articles and textbooks, supported by relevant sources. At the time of this study, no CBRN communication research publications were found, which is why the structure of this study is based on different theories, models, and frameworks of crisis communication.
Qualitative phenomenological approach and individual key-informant interviews were used to collect the experiences and views of the CBRN specialists working in the target organizations. The sample consisted of five CBRN specialists with information power. A semi-structured query based on the theoretical framework was created during the study. The content analysis was carried out by the researcher alone with a tabular tool and the reliability was increased with the use of Atlas.ti research tool.
The key findings pertained to success in CBRN, which requires high competence, and the non-traditional culture of interaction between the CBRN authority organizations, as well as the role of CBRN in these organizations.
In conclusion, CBRN is a complex topic that requires a high level of diverse knowledge, skills, and attitudes. It is a topic that increases cooperation in different sectors of society.
The study recommends that the topic of CBRN and related communication should be constantly updated in different ways in different fields. New terminology is also proposed.
The theoretical framework is built on current academic articles and textbooks, supported by relevant sources. At the time of this study, no CBRN communication research publications were found, which is why the structure of this study is based on different theories, models, and frameworks of crisis communication.
Qualitative phenomenological approach and individual key-informant interviews were used to collect the experiences and views of the CBRN specialists working in the target organizations. The sample consisted of five CBRN specialists with information power. A semi-structured query based on the theoretical framework was created during the study. The content analysis was carried out by the researcher alone with a tabular tool and the reliability was increased with the use of Atlas.ti research tool.
The key findings pertained to success in CBRN, which requires high competence, and the non-traditional culture of interaction between the CBRN authority organizations, as well as the role of CBRN in these organizations.
In conclusion, CBRN is a complex topic that requires a high level of diverse knowledge, skills, and attitudes. It is a topic that increases cooperation in different sectors of society.
The study recommends that the topic of CBRN and related communication should be constantly updated in different ways in different fields. New terminology is also proposed.