Analysis of the Challenger Disaster as a Normal Accident
نویسنده
چکیده
The question of whether the Challenger disaster constitutes a normal accident as defined by Perrow (Perrow, 1999) hinges on how one chooses to define the system in question. If we restrict our definition of the system so that it consists only of the technological components involved (e.g., Solid Rocket Motor, Orbiter Main Engines, Orbital Maneuvering System), then the Challenger disaster was not a normal accident. However, if we expand our definition of the system to encompass the organizational aspects of the space shuttle system in addition to the technological components, the Challenger Disaster easily meets Perrow’s criteria for a normal accident. We will examine why the space shuttle system meets many of Perrow’s requirements when analyzed solely in terms of its technological components, yet ultimately fails to qualify as a normal accident. We will then discuss how the combined technological and organizational system satisfies the requirements of a normal accident. Finally, we will consider the necessity of considering organizational as well as technological failures when
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