Description
Book SynopsisThis book discusses management decision-making under accident conditions as a vehicle to confirm the importance of clear decision-making guided by a systems approach on how an organization functions related to the role of managers, operators, and the operation of the plant. The book shows how to effectively assess the reliability of an organization particularly those organizations responsible for critical infrastructure. The authors have used Stafford Beer's cybernetic model as a basis to model the behavior and reliability of such organizations. A series of case studies are used to draw conclusions not only how training, experience, and education can improve the strategy and response of management to reduce the probability of an economic or social disaster, but also draw attention to the fact that managers need to be made aware of the consequences of their decisions.
Poor management decisions made under stress conditions can lead to the collapse of an or
Table of Contents
Introduction to Nuclear and Other HROs Safety and Economic Risk Issues. Background. Cybernetic Organizational Model: Beer’s Viable Systems Model (VSM). Introduction to Probability Risk Assessment (PRA). Case Studies of Accidents for Different Industries. Review of NRC Records on Normal, Abnormal and Accident Situations. Lessons Learned: Each of the Above Series of Accidents/Situations is Reviewed from the Point of View of Decisions Taken, by whom and When and then Related to VSM Structure. Interpretation of Beer’s Model as far as Failure in Individual Pathways between Functions Leading; Errors of Decision Making, Communication, Actions at Various Levels Within an Organization. Psychological Differences between Manager and Operators and Impact on Accident Control and Mitigation. Discussion of Simulation Techniques to Improve Training of Both Front-line Operators and Management. Approaches to Preparing Organizations to Combat Accidents. References. Appendices.
