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Complexity, Tight–Coupling and Reliability: Connecting Normal Accidents Theory and High Reliability Theory
Author(s) -
Rijpma Jos A.
Publication year - 1997
Publication title -
journal of contingencies and crisis management
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.007
H-Index - 51
eISSN - 1468-5973
pISSN - 0966-0879
DOI - 10.1111/1468-5973.00033
Subject(s) - reliability (semiconductor) , reliability theory , deadlock , coupling (piping) , accident (philosophy) , reliability engineering , computer science , risk analysis (engineering) , engineering , business , distributed computing , epistemology , physics , mechanical engineering , power (physics) , philosophy , quantum mechanics , failure rate
In this article, the theoretical debate between two dominant schools on the origins of accidents and reliability, Normal Accident Theory and High Reliability Theory, is continued and evaluated. Normal Accident Theory holds that, no matter what organizations do, accidents are inevitable in complex, tightly–coupled systems. High Reliability Theory asserts that organizations can contribute significantly to the prevention of accidents. To break through this deadlock, the mutual effects of complexity and tight–coupling, on the one hand, and reliability–enhancing strategies, on the other, are examined. It becomes clear that the theories are sometimes in conflict but that sometimes they also reach similar conclusions when applied to case events or generic safety problems. Cross–fertilization is, therefore, possible.