A Critical Analysis of Risk Assessment in Music Events: O2 Arena

This case study provides a critical analysis of risk assessment in music events, focusing on London's O2 Arena. It explores the background of music events, associated risks, and the importance of risk management. The study reviews relevant literature on event management, risk management processes, and security planning. It employs a secondary data collection methodology to analyze crowd-related issues and risks faced by organizers. The findings emphasize the necessity of comprehensive risk assessment for ensuring audience safety and enhancing the overall event experience at venues like the O2 Arena. Recommendations and future work suggestions are also provided, contributing to the understanding and improvement of risk management practices in the music event industry. Desklib offers students access to similar case studies and solved assignments.

Running head: A CRITICAL ANALYSIS OF THE RISK ASSESSMENT REQUIRED FOR
MUSIC EVENTS: A CASE STUDY ON LONDON’S O2 ARENA
A Critical Analysis of the Risk Assessment required for Music Events: A case study on
London’s O2 Arena
Name of the Student:
Name of the University:
Author’s Note:

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A CRITICAL ANALYSIS OF THE RISK ASSESSMENT REQUIRED FOR MUSIC EVENTS:
A CASE STUDY ON LONDON’S O2 ARENA
Abstract
Musical concerts are one of the older ways of entertainment and there have been several musical
events that have taken place all over the globe. There have been several risks that are associated
with these kinds of events and these risks can create several injuries and accidents. This paper
has therefore been constructed in order to understand the significance of risk assessment in the
music events. The background provides a history on these musical events and the risks that have
been determined can be helpful in the mitigating them. The literature established is in accordance
to the objectives of the paper. The literature review has been constructed based on what other
researchers have discovered on similar topics based on their own researches and personal
experiences. The process of assessing these risks and the methods taken in order to mitigate these
risks are even explained in this paper and accordingly these information has been helpful in
taking the research ahead. The methodology has looked to explain the process of gathering the
data and the sort of data that is ideally suited for this thesis paper. The researcher in this thesis
has collected secondary data in order to have an idea about the number of incidents that have
taken place and what have been the main issues behind these incidents. The data has been
gathered with the help of internet sources and several other articles and journals with the help of
which excess amount of information can be collected. The results that has been obtained by
analysing the data gathered indicate that risk assessment has been essential and it is specifically
necessary in O2 Arena in order to provide a better musical even to the audiences.
Table of Contents

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A CRITICAL ANALYSIS OF THE RISK ASSESSMENT REQUIRED FOR MUSIC EVENTS:
A CASE STUDY ON LONDON’S O2 ARENA
Chapter 1: Introduction....................................................................................................................4
1.1 Background of the Study.......................................................................................................4
1.2 Research Aims and Objectives..............................................................................................7
1.3 Research Questions................................................................................................................8
1.4 Rationale of the Study...........................................................................................................8
Chapter 2: Literature Review.........................................................................................................10
2.1 Introduction..........................................................................................................................10
2.2 Event Management..............................................................................................................10
2.3 Risk Management................................................................................................................11
2.4 Risk Management Process...................................................................................................13
2.5 The Security Plan.................................................................................................................16
2.6 Kinds of Risks......................................................................................................................17
2.7 Summary of the literature....................................................................................................18
Chapter 3: Research Methodology................................................................................................19
3.1 Introduction..........................................................................................................................19
3.2 Research Philosophy............................................................................................................19
3.3 Choice of the methodology..................................................................................................20
3.4 Research Approach..............................................................................................................20
3.5 Research Design..................................................................................................................20
3.6 Data Collection Process.......................................................................................................21

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A CRITICAL ANALYSIS OF THE RISK ASSESSMENT REQUIRED FOR MUSIC EVENTS:
A CASE STUDY ON LONDON’S O2 ARENA
3.7 Data Analysis Technique.....................................................................................................21
3.8 Ethical Consideration...........................................................................................................21
3.9 Summary..............................................................................................................................22
Chapter 4: Data Analysis and Discussion......................................................................................23
4.1 Introduction..........................................................................................................................23
4.2 Analysis...............................................................................................................................23
4.2.1 Crowd related issues.....................................................................................................25
4.2.2 Risks on the aspect of the organizers............................................................................28
4.2.3 O2 Arena.......................................................................................................................29
Chapter 5: Conclusion, Recommendation and Future Work.........................................................30
5.1 Conclusion...........................................................................................................................30
5.1.1 Addressing the objectives.............................................................................................31
5.2 Recommendations................................................................................................................32
5.3 Future Work.........................................................................................................................33
Reference List................................................................................................................................34
Bibliography..................................................................................................................................40
Table of Figures

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A CRITICAL ANALYSIS OF THE RISK ASSESSMENT REQUIRED FOR MUSIC EVENTS:
A CASE STUDY ON LONDON’S O2 ARENA
Figure 1: Examples of Past Disasters............................................................................................26
Figure 2: Significant crowd related disaster..................................................................................28

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A CRITICAL ANALYSIS OF THE RISK ASSESSMENT REQUIRED FOR MUSIC EVENTS:
A CASE STUDY ON LONDON’S O2 ARENA
Chapter 1: Introduction
The development of the music and the event sector both in the international and domestic
market has essentially contributed towards the growth and development of the tourism and the
market sector along with the social environment of a destination. The events implements a
variety of resources and operations that discloses a variety substantial level of crisis and risks
that is inclusive of the scope and the size and their capability to influence the tourists and the
visitors who may not have the familiarity with the risks and the hazards in the local region
(Uldam 2016). The planning of risk management supports the event management organizers in
conducting and developing the events in the benign possible manner, while reducing the level of
losses. Hence, it is vital that the event management plans for and the construction of the
strategies in order to manage the probable concerns of the events that are unplanned. The process
of risk management is a key factor with the help of which the event management companies are
able to mitigate the extent of risk and thereby improve the musical events that are taking place all
over the globe (McCloskey et al. 2014). This research thesis therefore is constructed with the
help of which the risks associated to music events can be understood and the risk assessment
measures that need to be undertaken by the music shows needs to be assessed in order to
complete the paper in an effective manner.
1.1 Background of the Study
This research is generally based on understanding risks that are seen in musical concerts
and the measures that are taken in order to mitigate these risks. The research concentrates on the
O2 arena, which a theatre that is located in London. The O2 arena is an indoor arena that is used
for multi-purpose activities that is situated in centre of the O2 entertainment are in the
Greenwich Peninsula in the south east part of London.

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A CRITICAL ANALYSIS OF THE RISK ASSESSMENT REQUIRED FOR MUSIC EVENTS:
A CASE STUDY ON LONDON’S O2 ARENA
The arena has been constructed under the previous Millennium Dome, which is a large
dome structured building that is constructed in order to house an exhibition for the purpose of
celebrating turn of the third millennium as the dome shaped model is still existent within the
arena. The arena has the second largest arena with regards to seating arrangements and this is
behind the Manchester Arena. There are several musical concerts that are held in this arena and
the concerts are organized by various event management companies (Andersson-Sköld et al.
2015). The event management organizations have disclosed that there are several risks that are
related to the music concerts and the organizations needs to take adequate measures with the help
of which there can be improvement in the functional activities of the music concerts. One of the
critical risk and danger that had occurred in the country was the bomb blast that took place in the
Manchester Arena. In that incident hundreds were injured and many gave their lives and
therefore these kinds of incidents have been the significant factors that has influenced in
constructing a paper based on this topic. The process of risk assessment has gained significance
and therefore an extensive and detailed plan are constructed in every music event shows prior to
the day of the show.
There has been a lack of research assessing the event risk management planning
behaviour, principles and the factors that facilitates or inhibits the level of implementation. The
most of the researches in this field has concentrated on the big and mega programs and events,
which is a key and even small subsection of the event industry (Esmaeili, Hallowell and
Rajagopalan 2015). The event sector is diversified that implies a number of various event
stakeholders and the organizations that are hosting the events and even the industrial sector.
As noted by Nsoesie et al. (2015), the behaviour of the organization can be assessed at an
individual, system or group level. Even though the companies at the end incorporate risk

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A CRITICAL ANALYSIS OF THE RISK ASSESSMENT REQUIRED FOR MUSIC EVENTS:
A CASE STUDY ON LONDON’S O2 ARENA
planning functions, it is the duty of the entity and the psychological factors that includes the
values, personality, motivations, beliefs, attitudes and motivation that may have an impact on the
incorporation of the risk planning operations. In an associated aspect, the perceptions and the
mentality of the managers have been discovered to play a key role in the preparation for and
taking actions for the incidents. The restrictions or the limitations to the risk planning process has
been found to be associated researches and that is inclusive of the perceived money inadequacy,
insufficient knowledge and expertise and the lack of obligations for managing the risks
associated to the natural hazards. Hiesmayr et al. (2015) recommended that a complex degree of
the factors that may have an impact on risk planning that is inclusive of the beliefs, values,
personal attributes, messages, experiences and the socio-cultural rules and norms.
The various other factors can have an impact on the risk planning operations by the event
management firms at a group level or a system level that is inclusive of the type of the firm, size,
culture, resources, leadership and communication but these are not assessed in several articles.
The understanding of the beliefs and the attitude of the event managers will recognize the
personal risk management behaviour and the norms of the sector (Aven 2016). The entities are
strongly motivated by the social groups like the stakeholders, peers and the colleagues. Hence, it
is necessary to assess the persuading relationships for the policy and the professionalization
practices for every sector. Furthermore, the restrictions to the incorporation and use of the risk
management practices will enable the generation of the managerial plans and policies in order to
incorporate in an effective manner (Heckmann, Comes and Nickel 2015). The research paper
would thereby look to determine the various aspects and the policies that are associated risk and
thereby an understanding the risk management practices that are ideal for the event management
organizations in order to improve their operational practices. The research aims and objectives

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A CRITICAL ANALYSIS OF THE RISK ASSESSMENT REQUIRED FOR MUSIC EVENTS:
A CASE STUDY ON LONDON’S O2 ARENA
will therefore be constructed on the several variables that are related to risk management
practices.
There are several kinds of musical events that are held in the O2 arena in London and
accordingly there are possibilities of various kinds of risks that may occur in this arena. This
paper would therefore look to assess the risks that are existent when the O2 arena for instance the
musical events of Justin Bieber. Justin Bieber is a renowned pop artist and has famed globally
and therefore has fans all over the globe. Once his programs are organized in the O2 arena fans
from all over the globe come for a visit and thereafter enjoy the musical show. Along with this,
there are several risks that are related to the events and therefore assessment of the same would
be undertaken in order to have an idea about the pertinent risks and the steps that are taken in
order to mitigate these risks.
1.2 Research Aims and Objectives
Aim
The aims of the research associates with discovering the aspects in accordance to which the
researcher would take the paper forward and results in accordance to this topic can be concluded.
The research aims in accordance to this paper are as follows:
 Recognize the significant risk and crisis management behaviour and beliefs that is seen in
musical concerts and events
Objectives
The objectives refer to shortening the overall theme of the paper and therefore the objectives
are based on the aim that has been addressed earlier. The objectives are as follows:

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A CRITICAL ANALYSIS OF THE RISK ASSESSMENT REQUIRED FOR MUSIC EVENTS:
A CASE STUDY ON LONDON’S O2 ARENA
 Assess the mind-set of the audiences that has an impact on the behaviour and the attitudes
of the event management of the artists like pop, afrobeat and rock in planning the risk
management strategies
 Assess the limitations faced by the event managers of pop, afrobeat and rock shows
during the incorporation of the risk management planning
1.3 Research Questions
The research questions that are related to the current research topic are as follows:
Q1. What are the key risk attitude and beliefs among the event managers of the pop, afrobeat and
rock shows in accordance to the size of the audience?
Q2. What are the impact of the audiences and the size of the audience on the perception of the
event managers in planning the risk management strategies of these musical event shows?
Q3. What are the limitations associated with the event managers in the incorporation risk
management strategies in these event shows and the how does audience have a role within it?
1.4 Rationale of the Study
There has been a rise in demand all over the globe with respect to music concerts among
the audiences and in order to organize a concert in an orderly manner, the event managers has to
take drastic steps and actions. There are numerous concerts and shows that are held in the O2
arena and accordingly there are several risks associated to these shows as well. However, in this
paper the risks that are related to the events of several musical concerts will be assessed and
thereby take measures with the help of which they are able to conclude these shows effectively.
The justification for undertaking study has therefore been to understand the kind of risks that are
related to the concerts and understand how the society influences the event managers to take

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A CRITICAL ANALYSIS OF THE RISK ASSESSMENT REQUIRED FOR MUSIC EVENTS:
A CASE STUDY ON LONDON’S O2 ARENA
steps in order to construct risk management strategies for these shows. It is due to this fact that it
is essential to assess the risk assessment process of music concert shows in O2 arena.

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A CRITICAL ANALYSIS OF THE RISK ASSESSMENT REQUIRED FOR MUSIC EVENTS:
A CASE STUDY ON LONDON’S O2 ARENA
Chapter 2: Literature Review
2.1 Introduction
This section of the paper would look to address the papers have been created by the other
researchers and are comparable to this research topic. This researches that have been undertaken
by the other researches on similar topics earlier will be analysed and accordingly steps and
measures will be taken with the help of which this literature review can be constructed in an
effective manner. The risks that are pertinent to the musical event shows would be scrutinized
and accordingly measures and steps can be taken that will be useful for the completion of this
paper in an effective manner.
2.2 Event Management
In order to have an understanding of the challenges and the issues one faces to arrange a
concert or a music festival with respect to security, it is essential to start from the beginning.
Hence, the point of initiation is when one thinks about the sort of music festival or concert that is
being organized. This role is undertaken by the event managers, who have the responsibility of
arranging the entire event along with satisfy the expectations and the needs of the audiences and
the requests of the clients and hosts (Heckmann, Comes and Nickel 2015).
In the beginning, the event managers have to think about the kind of music festival or
concert the program will be like classical, rock or pop, the reason for arranging the event, the one
who is going to attend the event, the associated stakeholders, the time when the event is going to
take place, the location of the program, the people who would be performing, the resources that
are available and the ones that are required (Kyu et al. 2016).