How Coal Miners Develop Path-Dependence and Lock in to an Unsafe Behavioral Path

Zhengquan Xu,Qinren Cao,Ni Zhang

doi:10.4236/ajibm.2014.42012

Zhengquan Xu, Qinren Cao + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.4236/ajibm.2014.42012

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Abstract

Path dependence in behavioral agents can influence their actions. Creation of path dependence is a process of agents locking in their behavioral trajectory, which will increase the possibility of their certain actions occurring repeatedly. In China, most of coal mines’ working place is located in deep underground, so coal miners must work in very complex environment. In such environment, once behavioral path occurred in the coal miners, the chance of incurring coal mining accidents will be heavily increased. This article provides an empirical study on how coal miners develop path-dependence and lock-in to unsafe actions. It expands upon the external and internal conditions that create path dependence in behavioral agents. Drawing on these conditions, we construct a process model of agents developing creation of path dependence and locking in their behavioral path, and then, by using the model, we elaborate why unsafe actions of coal miners in China frequently and easily occur, and why coal mine accidents reoccur in period.

Highlights

In China, unsafe actions of coal miners exhibit the characteristics of occurring frequently, and suddenly, and they are considered to be one of main factors which incur coal mining accidents
Gartland argues that extant literature seldom describes impact of path dependence on an individual behavioral agent, enterprise, and organization, and mainstream economists seem almost unaware of the theoretical work in the world of social and management sciences [7,8,9]
The extant theoretical work on path dependence theory [10,11] can help find the real reason why China coal mining accidents incurred by unsafe actions of coal miners occur repeatedly

Summary

Introduction

In China, unsafe actions of coal miners exhibit the characteristics of occurring frequently, and suddenly, and they are considered to be one of main factors which incur coal mining accidents It is difficult for safety supervisors to enact effective control over these unsafe actions. China coal mining enterprises have instituted very strict behavioral norms and invested heavily in safety equipment and techniques to prevent the unsafe actions, their effectiveness seems not very striking. Most of China coal mines are located in deep underground, working places of which are very complex and change every day, someone likens the coal mine to moving factory In such working environment, once path dependence occurred in the coal miners, the difficulty in controlling over their unsafe actions will be increased.

Theoretical Background of Path Dependence

Conditions of Creating Path Dependence in the Behavioral Agent

Process Model on Path Dependence Developed in Coal Miners

Conclusions