[ad_1]
Research commissioned by the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) into stakeholder perceptions of its work shows that the non-agency is making positive progress in its mission to clean up the UK’s nuclear heritage sites.
The results showed an increase in positive perception and strong endorsement of the professionalism and integrity of NDA staff.
The work, carried out by Opinion Research Services (ORS) in the summer and autumn of 2022, saw a record 829 external stakeholders give their views on the performance of the NDA – around 200 more than the previous survey in 2020.
As in 2020, two groups of stakeholders participated. Key stakeholders well known to the NDA interacting regularly participated in telephone interviews. Subscribers to NDA digital communications who may not be known to NDA, including people who label themselves as “general public,” completed an online survey.
The percentage of key stakeholders who said the NDA operates in an open and transparent manner increased significantly to 89% – up from 78% in 2020. Among other stakeholders less familiar with the NDA, the figure rose to 54% from 52%.
Almost all key stakeholders (98%) believe that the NDA is essential to the successful clean-up of the UK’s nuclear legacy, and this was supported by 84% of other stakeholders who also believed that the NDA was essential to success of the mission.
There was a significant increase in the percentage of key stakeholders who would be in favor of the NDA – with 64% agreeing, compared to 45% two years ago.
The NDA guidance was also voted with confidence by key stakeholders – rising to 88% approval this year, compared to 64% in 2020. There was also a 10% increase in trust among other digital stakeholders. Their approval rating for the NDA leadership increased to 45%, up from 35% in 2020.
Another feature of the survey from key stakeholders who interact regularly with the NDA was the positive descriptions and feedback about their personal engagements with NDA staff – with many paying tribute to the professionalism, integrity, openness and courtesy of NDA staff.
John McNamara, NDA’s Head of Stakeholder Engagement, said the improving results were testament to the commitment and hard work of NDA staff engaging with external stakeholders.
The results reveal a fascinating collection of perspectives on how we engage and how others see us. But they point in particular to a professional yet open way of engagement that our key stakeholders clearly value.
NDA’s work depends heavily on the ‘social licence’ granted to us by external stakeholders and this biennial research gives us independent feedback on how stakeholders perceive our progress, how we engage and what NDA can do better.
Working closely with stakeholders to co-create our strategy is just one of the reasons these results are improving. It’s also about engaging our stakeholders and, above all, listening to their perspectives.
Approval ratings were much higher among key stakeholders close to the NDA’s work, but it was noticeable that positive results were achieved in both stakeholder groups. Of particular importance to the NDA is that approval ratings among key stakeholders working closely with the NDA showed very positive increases compared to the previous survey in 2020.
All stakeholders who participated were asked about the NDA’s role and reputation, its performance, culture and leadership, and thoughts on advancing the NDA’s mission.
The survey was anonymous, but participants identified themselves as community representatives, regulators, UK government and devolved administrations, NGOs, academia, the supply chain and almost 400 people who classed themselves as ‘members of the public’.
Other study highlights include:
- the percentage of key stakeholders who understand the NDA’s work stands at 96%, the highest level recorded in the past decade. Among other stakeholders, it amounts to 78%
- around 80% of key stakeholders say they trust NDAs, while 52% of other stakeholders trust NDAs – but it should be noted that this figure is rising and is the highest recorded in the last four surveys
- key stakeholders who believe the NDA is making good progress on the mission is up to 85% from 82% in 2020. The figure for other stakeholders is 52% – also an increase
- key stakeholders who believe the NDA positively helps create sustainable communities rose to 87% this year from 75% in 2020. Among other stakeholders, it also rose to 59%
- the percentage of key stakeholders who believe the NDA is effectively reporting to them has increased to 89% from 75% in 2020. Among other stakeholders, it is 62%.
The research also highlighted areas where stakeholders felt the NDA could do better, including:
- the challenge for NDAs to reach a wider, more diverse set of stakeholders
- more communication from the NDA on the technical challenges faced in working with highly hazardous materials
- reservations about NDAs achieving value for money – although they see the ‘One NDA’ approach as a step forward
- stakeholders in other parts of the country who see the NDA as too focused on their operations in West Cumbria.
For more information contact the NDA’s Head of Stakeholder Relations john.mcnamara@nda.gov.uk.
[ad_2]
Source link