High Reliability Organization Research: A Literature Review for Health Care

Abstract

High reliability organizations (HROs) operate in hazardous, fast-paced, and complex environments yet avoid catastrophic accidents. Since the genesis of HRO theory in 1989, interest in HROs has grown beyond hazardous operations to many industries, including health care. This article reviews the literature to determine the extent to which changes made in health care organizations are aligned with HRO theory, and more specifically, with Roberts’ Six Actions, which are based on HRO theory. The results suggest that HRO theory remains of interest to health care organizations. Implications for engineering managers and opportunities for future research are suggested.

Keywords:

• Health Care
• High Reliability Organizations

EMJ Focus Areas:

• Engineering Management Profession
• Leadership.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Janice Newquist Tolk

Janice Newquist Tolk received her PhD in Systems and Engineering Management from Texas Tech University, a Master of Engineering from Texas Tech University, and a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from the University of Kentucky. Dr. Tolk is an Adjunct Assistant Professor at the University of Tennessee Space Institute. Her research areas include high reliability organizations, strategic management, and systems engineering. She has over 33 years of industrial experience in a high hazard industry.

Jaime Cantu

Jaime Cantu received his PhD and MS in Systems & Engineering Management as well as a BS in Electrical and Computer Engineering from Texas Tech University. He currently holds the position of Postdoctoral Research Associate at Texas Tech University. His major areas of interest are economic analysis, system dynamics, and high reliability organizations. Dr. Cantu worked in industry for several years for Hewlett Packard and Honeywell Avionics prior to his academic career.

Mario Beruvides

Mario Beruvides received a PhD in Industrial and Systems Engineering from Virginia Tech and holds an MS degree in Industrial Engineering and a BS degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Miami. Dr. Beruvides is the AT&T Professor of Industrial Engineering in the Department of Industrial Engineering at Texas Tech University. His areas of interest are engineering management, engineering economics, and systems engineering. He holds a professional engineering license in the state of Texas.