Safety culture and the issue of power

Abstract

Issues of power and conflict in organizations are rarely addressed in safety culture research. Much safety culture research thus rests upon a harmony model of organizational life. This, it is argued, is a fundamental shortcoming of the existing research. The article discusses the relationship between power-oriented and cultural approaches to organizational safety. The accident with space shuttle Challenger is used as a case, since this accident has been analysed through both approaches. The article argues that issues of culture and power are so intertwined that safety culture research should incorporate perspectives of power and conflict. This is necessary in order to be able to give a realistic account of the dynamics of organizational life. Introducing a more power-oriented view on safety culture can also serve as the basis for important ethical considerations regarding the improvement of safety culture. Finally, it is argued that a safe culture is not necessarily one which is homogenous and free from conflict. Having conflicting views on safety can in fact be a safety resource by serving as a kind of requisite variety that facilitates learning.