Disaster by Management: Theoretical Themes
Managerialism:
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"scientific" management of large companies
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application to public sector institutions: efficient use of tax resources
Organizational
theory:
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mechanistic (hierarchical, mass production, stable exterior environment)
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organic (flexibility, teamwork, custom production, uncertain environment)
O'Connor's
functions of government:
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accumulation agencies
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legitimatization agencies
Accident
theory:
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normal accident theory (complexity and tight coupling lead to unpredictable
accidents)
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high reliability theory (safety results from redundancy and a "culture of
safety")
Risk
perception:
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managers may "normalize anomaly"
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people quickly form biases and accommodate only data that fit their biases
Risk
assessment vs. risk management:
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Type I vs. Type II error
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precautionary principle vs. opportunity costs
Geography:
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friction of (psychological) distance in communication
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hierarchies in space
first placed on the web: 03/19/04
last revised: 04/03/04
maintained by C.M. Rodrigue
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