Decision-making in a resilient organisation – ResData

There is plenty of knowledge about occupational safety, and significant strides have been taken in its development in recent decades. However, systematic points can still be found where deficiencies occur in decision-making related to safety.

This project examines decision-making in contexts in which the planned and instructed situation changes. How does the decision-making process work in these situations? What are the bottlenecks of decision-making?

Information-based management decision-making at shared workplaces

The project examines management and the resilience of decision-making at four shared workplaces with multiple operators. 

The focus is on safety-critical decision-making in relation to work processes at shared workplaces where the operators represent several separate organisations, such as main contractors and subcontractors.

The objectives of the study

1. Model resilient decision-making from a safety perspective

• What is decision-making that impacts safety? 
• How are decisions made and by whom? 
• To whom are decisions distributed? 
• Are the decisions understandable?

2. Highlight safety-related decision-making processes and examine how well they flow and find the bottlenecks

• What information is used for decision-making? 
• Are safety-related decisions usually based on forming a shared view? 
• What are the decision-making processes, and how are more complex decisions, that require broader consideration, handled? 

3. Identify obstacles to resilient decision-making: silos, hierarchies, lack of engagement, deficient use of information

• What kinds of silos are there in the organisation and subcontractor 
• network that prevent information flow and high-quality decision-making? 
• Does the decision-making process neglect any available information? 
• Do people feel that they are informed and included in the group at the workplaces?