Overview
In this unit you will consider some of the latest theories in the Safety Sciences, particularly in relation to the concept of resilience in organisations and broader organisational culture issues. The factors which influence the quality and validity of decision making within organisations, such as, values, mindfulness, culture, adaptive systems, participation and leadership in complex socio-technical systems will be considered. You will critically reflect on and evaluate theories such as resilience engineering, high reliability organisations, safety culture and safety climate, and discuss the usefulness of these theories to practice. You will also have the opportunity to evaluate the usefulness of the tools and methods available to measure and monitor factors that affect resilience and other safety science concepts within organisations.
Details
Pre-requisites or Co-requisites
Pre-requisite:- AINV11002
Important note: Students enrolled in a subsequent unit who failed their pre-requisite unit, should drop the subsequent unit before the census date or within 10 working days of Fail grade notification. Students who do not drop the unit in this timeframe cannot later drop the unit without academic and financial liability. See details in the Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).
Offerings For Term 2 - 2020
Attendance Requirements
All on-campus students are expected to attend scheduled classes – in some units, these classes are identified as a mandatory (pass/fail) component and attendance is compulsory. International students, on a student visa, must maintain a full time study load and meet both attendance and academic progress requirements in each study period (satisfactory attendance for International students is defined as maintaining at least an 80% attendance record).
Recommended Student Time Commitment
Each 6-credit Undergraduate unit at CQUniversity requires an overall time commitment of an average of 12.5 hours of study per week, making a total of 150 hours for the unit.
Class Timetable
Assessment Overview
Assessment Grading
This is a graded unit: your overall grade will be calculated from the marks or grades for each assessment task, based on the relative weightings shown in the table above. You must obtain an overall mark for the unit of at least 50%, or an overall grade of ‘pass’ in order to pass the unit. If any ‘pass/fail’ tasks are shown in the table above they must also be completed successfully (‘pass’ grade). You must also meet any minimum mark requirements specified for a particular assessment task, as detailed in the ‘assessment task’ section (note that in some instances, the minimum mark for a task may be greater than 50%). Consult the University’s Grades and Results Policy for more details of interim results and final grades.
All University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
You may wish to view these policies:
- Grades and Results Policy
- Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework)
- Review of Grade Procedure
- Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure – Domestic Students
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure – International Students
- Student Refund and Credit Balance Policy and Procedure
- Student Feedback – Compliments and Complaints Policy and Procedure
- Information and Communications Technology Acceptable Use Policy and Procedure
This list is not an exhaustive list of all University policies. The full list of University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
Feedback, Recommendations and Responses
Every unit is reviewed for enhancement each year. At the most recent review, the following staff and student feedback items were identified and recommendations were made.
Feedback from Student Feedback
More specific requirements in the grading criteria will help students.
Review the assessment grading rubrics and guidance.
Feedback from Student Feedback
Students requested less reading material and felt the volume of reading was too high.
The underpinning readings will be reviewed and students will be encouraged to seek contemporary literature to support their learnings in this emerging topic within the Safety Science discipline.
- Explore the characteristics of resilience in organisations.
- Develop an ability to critically read and write on contemporary safety science theories from an evidence-informed advancing safety professional perspective.
- Evaluate the theories that underpin resilience in organisations such as resilience engineering, safety culture and high reliability organisations and discuss the usefulness of these theories to practice.
- Discern those factors which influence the quality and validity of decision making within organisations, such as, values, mindfulness, culture, adaptive systems, participation and leadership.
- Compare controversial terms related to safety and culture and the ongoing debate underlying these precepts and relationships.
- Evaluate the usefulness of the tools and methods available to measure and monitor contemporary safety science concepts such as organisational resilience potentials and safety culture/safety climate.
Nil at this time but congruent with the new Body of Knowledge released by the Australian OHS Education Board.
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes
Assessment Tasks | Learning Outcomes | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | |
1 - Critical Review - 20% | ||||||
2 - Written Assessment - 40% | ||||||
3 - Literature Review or Systematic Review - 40% |
Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes
Graduate Attributes | Learning Outcomes | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | |
1 - Communication | ||||||
2 - Problem Solving | ||||||
3 - Critical Thinking | ||||||
4 - Information Literacy | ||||||
5 - Team Work | ||||||
6 - Information Technology Competence | ||||||
7 - Cross Cultural Competence | ||||||
8 - Ethical practice | ||||||
9 - Social Innovation | ||||||
10 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures |
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Graduate Attributes
Assessment Tasks | Graduate Attributes | |||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | |
1 - Critical Review - 20% | ||||||||||
2 - Written Assessment - 40% | ||||||||||
3 - Literature Review or Systematic Review - 40% |
Textbooks
Managing the Unexpected: Sustained Performance in a Complex World
Edition: 3 (2015)
Authors: Karl E. Weick and Kathleen M. Sutcliffe
Wyley
USA
ISBN: 978-1-118-86241-4
Binding: Paperback
Additional Textbook Information
If you prefer to study with a paper copy, they are available at the CQUni Bookshop here: http://bookshop.cqu.edu.au (search on the Unit code). eBooks are available at the publisher's website.
IT Resources
- CQUniversity Student Email
- Internet
- Unit Website (Moodle)
All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: Harvard (author-date)
For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.
k.klockner@cqu.edu.au
Module/Topic
High Reliability Organisations (HROs) - Historical Theory Underpinnings
An Introduction to Critical Reading and Writing
Chapter
Prescribed Readings Supplied via Moodle
Text Book Chapter 1
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
High Reliability Organisations (HROs) - Current Theory
Chapter
Prescribed Readings Supplied via Moodle
Text Book Chapter 2
Events and Submissions/Topic
Weekly Zoom Lecture
Module/Topic
Resilience Engineering (RE) - Theory
Chapter
Prescribed Readings Supplied via Moodle
Events and Submissions/Topic
Weekly Zoom Lecture
Module/Topic
Safety I and Safety II Theory - Erik Hollnagel's 4 Potentials for Resilience in Organisations
Safety I and Safety II - Measuring the 4 Potentials for Resilience in Organisations
Chapter
Prescribed Readings Supplied via Moodle
Events and Submissions/Topic
Weekly Zoom Lecture
Module/Topic
Organisational Resilience - The 5 Principles of Resilience
Organisational Resilience - Measuring The 5 Principles of Resilience
Chapter
Prescribed Readings Supplied via Moodle
Text Book Chapters 3 - 7 - The Five Principles of Resilience in Depth
Events and Submissions/Topic
Weekly Zoom Lecture
Critical Reading - Comparative Organisational Resilience Theory Due: Week 5 Friday (14 Aug 2020) 11:45 pm AEST
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Organisational Mindfulness - One Step Further
Chapter
Prescribed Readings Supplied via Moodle
Events and Submissions/Topic
Weekly Zoom Lecture
Module/Topic
Organisational Strategy and Leadership
Chapter
Finish Text Book Chapter 8
Prescribed Readings Supplied via Moodle
Events and Submissions/Topic
Weekly Zoom Lecture
Module/Topic
The Fifth Age of Safety - The Adaptive Age and Adaptive Leadership for Complexity
Chapter
Prescribed Readings Supplied via Moodle
Start Reading Textbook Chapter 8
Events and Submissions/Topic
Weekly Zoom Lecture
Measuring Organisational Resilience - Report Due: Week 8 Friday (11 Sept 2020) 11:45 pm AEST
Module/Topic
Safety Culture and Safety Climate
Measuring Safety Culture and Safety Climate
Chapter
Prescribed Readings Supplied via Moodle
Events and Submissions/Topic
Weekly Zoom Lecture
Module/Topic
Professional Resilience
Business Continuity - Resilience In Practice
Chapter
Text Book Chapter 9
Prescribed Readings Supplied via Moodle
Events and Submissions/Topic
Weekly Zoom Lecture
Module/Topic
Healthy Organisations
Chapter
Prescribed Readings Supplied via Moodle
Events and Submissions/Topic
Weekly Zoom Lecture
Module/Topic
Organisational Resilience Review
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
There will be a weekly lecture delivered via Zoom on a Monday at 11.00am (Qld time). The Zoom link is on the Moodle site.
Recommended Book: Safety-II in Practice: Developing The Resilience Potentials - Erik Hollnagel (2018), Routledge Press.
1 Critical Review
This assessment item requires you to critically read, reflect and comment on two supplied readings and will form part of the skills you will learn as an emerging professional.
You will be asked to reflect on the theories and research which make up the notions of both High Reliability Organisations (HROs) and Resilience Engineering (RE) as concepts which inform organisational practices of safety, reliability and resilience.
You are therefore required to:-
(a) Convey your reflection on the two theories being discussed (what do you think of these concepts) being (a) HRO’s (5%) and Resilience Engineering (5%); and
(b) Deliver view points and opinion which demonstrates your critical reading on the papers supplied on (a) HRO’s (5%) and Resilience Engineering (5%).
Your written piece will therefore consist of both reflection on the theories and critical reading of the articles supplied around these concepts.
You must use correct Harvard style in-text referencing when referring to reading material and supply a reference list. The assessment word limit is 1500 words.
Week 5 Friday (14 Aug 2020) 11:45 pm AEST
Week 7 Friday (4 Sept 2020)
The grading criteria are below:
- Conveys Reflection on Resilience Engineering theory (5%)
- Delivers view points or opinions based on the critical reading of the Resilience Engineering material presented (5%)
- Conveys Reflection on High Reliability Organisational Theory (5%)
- Delivers view points or opinions based on the critical reading of the HRO material presented (5%)
- Explore the characteristics of resilience in organisations.
- Develop an ability to critically read and write on contemporary safety science theories from an evidence-informed advancing safety professional perspective.
- Evaluate the theories that underpin resilience in organisations such as resilience engineering, safety culture and high reliability organisations and discuss the usefulness of these theories to practice.
- Compare controversial terms related to safety and culture and the ongoing debate underlying these precepts and relationships.
- Critical Thinking
- Information Literacy
2 Written Assessment
This assessment enables you to gain experience in reviewing and assessing survey tools used to measure organisational resilience.
You will be presented with two survey tools, from which you are required to choose one for review.
You will chose either the 4 Potentials of Resilience Survey (RE Theory) or the 5 Principles of Resilience Survey (Organisational Resilience Theory) for your assignment. You will then analyse and review the appropriateness of the survey's application in real-world practice.
You are required to prepare a report which:-
(a) Recognises the purpose of the survey and its relevance to measuring organisational resilience based on the theory which supports it i.e. RE theory or HRO/Organisational Resilience theory;
(b) Understand when and how the survey could be used in a real-world application;
(c) Evaluate how the meaning of any results obtained by use of such surveys might inform strategic leadership decision making;
(d) Make recommendations on the use of the survey by discussing your own critical thinking on the usefulness (benefits and limitations) of the survey from a safety professional viewpoint, based on what you have discovered in your reading this term;
(e) Reference appropriate material to support your written arguments.
Your review of the literature to support your writing should include a minimum of 10 peer-reviewed journal articles and your review should be 1,500 words.
Week 8 Friday (11 Sept 2020) 11:45 pm AEST
Week 10 Friday (25 Sept 2020)
(a) Recognise the purpose of the survey and its relevance to measuring organisational resilience (20%);
(b) Understand when and how the survey would be used in a real-world application (20%);
(c) Evaluate how the meaning of any results obtained by use of such survey might inform strategic leadership decision making (40%);
(d) Discuss your own critical thinking on the usefulness of the survey from a safety professional viewpoint, based on what you have discovered in your reading this term (15%); and
(e) Reference appropriate material to support your written arguments (5%).
A detailed assessment rubric will be provided in Moodle during the term.
- Develop an ability to critically read and write on contemporary safety science theories from an evidence-informed advancing safety professional perspective.
- Evaluate the theories that underpin resilience in organisations such as resilience engineering, safety culture and high reliability organisations and discuss the usefulness of these theories to practice.
- Discern those factors which influence the quality and validity of decision making within organisations, such as, values, mindfulness, culture, adaptive systems, participation and leadership.
- Evaluate the usefulness of the tools and methods available to measure and monitor contemporary safety science concepts such as organisational resilience potentials and safety culture/safety climate.
- Communication
- Problem Solving
- Critical Thinking
- Information Literacy
3 Literature Review or Systematic Review
Continuing with and building on your knowledge of your choosen topic from Assessment 2 (measuring HRO or RE), you are required to write a report in which you use critical reflection of the theories covered in this unit to understand how resilience might be enhanced in real-world practice.
Chose your topic from the two topics listed below on which to base the focus of your report. You are required to write a report which examines either:-
- Strategic Leadership for Managing Organisational Resilience Potentials (RE Theory): Discuss your understanding of how leaders in organisations can enhance the 4 Resilience Potentials (Respond, Monitor, Learn and Anticipate), as proposed by Hollnagel's Safety II in Practice concepts; or
- Strategic Leadership for Managing the Unexpected (HRO/Organiational Resilience Theory): Discuss your understanding of how leaders in organisations can enhance the 5 Principles of Resilience (Preoccupation with Failure, Reluctance to Simplify, Sensitivity to Operations, Commitment to Resilience, Deference to Expertise), as proposed by Weick and Sutcliffe (in your textbook) in relation to managing the unexpected.
You are also required to incorporate in your report recommendations on how organisations can enhance resilience based on your critical review of the theory from an evidence-based practice concept.
You are required to undertake self directed research on your chosen topic by reviewing the latest literature on the topic. Your literature review should include a minimum of 10 peer-reviewed journal articles and should be 2,000 words.
Week 12 Monday (5 Oct 2020) 11:45 pm AEST
Exam Week Monday (19 Oct 2020)
The grading criteria for the formal report are below:
- Provides a discussion and critical review of the theory under examination (HRO/Organisational Resilience or RE) using historical and current writing/research on the subject (30%).
- Provides an thorough examination on what the literature/research is saying on how leaders can enhance organisational resilience based on strategic leadership efforts (30%).
- Demonstrates the ability to make formal recommendations (incorporating your knowledge from Assessment 2) on how organisations should ehance organisational resilience. Use critical reading and thinking skills from a safety profession evidence-informed based practice perspective (30%).
- Uses correct Harvard style referencing and demonstration of advanced academic report writing (10%).
- Explore the characteristics of resilience in organisations.
- Develop an ability to critically read and write on contemporary safety science theories from an evidence-informed advancing safety professional perspective.
- Evaluate the theories that underpin resilience in organisations such as resilience engineering, safety culture and high reliability organisations and discuss the usefulness of these theories to practice.
- Discern those factors which influence the quality and validity of decision making within organisations, such as, values, mindfulness, culture, adaptive systems, participation and leadership.
- Compare controversial terms related to safety and culture and the ongoing debate underlying these precepts and relationships.
- Communication
- Critical Thinking
- Information Literacy
- Cross Cultural Competence
As a CQUniversity student you are expected to act honestly in all aspects of your academic work.
Any assessable work undertaken or submitted for review or assessment must be your own work. Assessable work is any type of work you do to meet the assessment requirements in the unit, including draft work submitted for review and feedback and final work to be assessed.
When you use the ideas, words or data of others in your assessment, you must thoroughly and clearly acknowledge the source of this information by using the correct referencing style for your unit. Using others’ work without proper acknowledgement may be considered a form of intellectual dishonesty.
Participating honestly, respectfully, responsibly, and fairly in your university study ensures the CQUniversity qualification you earn will be valued as a true indication of your individual academic achievement and will continue to receive the respect and recognition it deserves.
As a student, you are responsible for reading and following CQUniversity’s policies, including the Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure. This policy sets out CQUniversity’s expectations of you to act with integrity, examples of academic integrity breaches to avoid, the processes used to address alleged breaches of academic integrity, and potential penalties.
What is a breach of academic integrity?
A breach of academic integrity includes but is not limited to plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, cheating, contract cheating, and academic misconduct. The Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure defines what these terms mean and gives examples.
Why is academic integrity important?
A breach of academic integrity may result in one or more penalties, including suspension or even expulsion from the University. It can also have negative implications for student visas and future enrolment at CQUniversity or elsewhere. Students who engage in contract cheating also risk being blackmailed by contract cheating services.
Where can I get assistance?
For academic advice and guidance, the Academic Learning Centre (ALC) can support you in becoming confident in completing assessments with integrity and of high standard.