Exploring emergency response: theories of communities of practice, safety cultures, situation awareness and tacit knowledge
by Michael J. Taber; Nancy Taber
International Journal of Emergency Management (IJEM), Vol. 9, No. 1, 2013

Abstract: This paper discusses theoretical constructs from various domains to explore emergency response management. Using the Piper Alpha disaster as an example, we argue that applying a communities of practice lens can inform understandings of safety cultures, shared situation awareness, and tacit knowledge. First, we briefly outline the Piper Alpha event and detail communities of practice theory with a critical analysis of how it can be applied to emergency response events with respect to safety cultures. Then, we connect the development and maintenance of situation awareness and tacit knowledge to our argument as it relates to actions performed in relation to the emergency event. Finally, we provide a concluding discussion of the Piper Alpha disaster in order explore implications for emergency response management.

Online publication date: Wed, 22-May-2013

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